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    darthalf's Avatar
    darthalf Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 9, 2013, 02:06 PM
    Water Hammer?
    Last night at about 2am there was a loud "pop" from my pipe in my bathroom. No leaks or anything this AM. It has happened before but was definitely more profound last night. Looking online and thinking this might be "water hammer"? Any thoughts?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Sep 9, 2013, 03:36 PM
    Hi DH

    Water hammer is usually a result of valves opening and closing and causing a vibration that can't be absorbed into the water piping system, so the issue doesn't sound like water hammer to me... ;)

    Is this a single family home? Any teenagers in the home (had to ask)?

    My only other thought is wondering if your toilet tank is leaking into the toilet bowl. Here, if the fill valve to the toilet engaged as a result of water leaking past the toilet tank flapper then I suppose a "pop" sound could happen, but you would also hear the water rushing in to quickly fill/top-off the toilet tank water level. To test this, take some dark food coloring and drip 10-20 drops into the toilet TANK only. Wait 2 hours and then check the toilet BOWL. If there is coloring in the toilet bowl we may have found your mysterious "pop".

    Back to you...

    Mark
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #3

    Sep 9, 2013, 04:30 PM
    Sorry but I just couldn't resist this.

    As Mark explained water hammer is the sound of pipes banging against something. Just like the sound of a hammer striking a board, hence the term water "hammer". But you said "pop". That brings to mind the sound of popcorn popping. Or my wife popping those little air bubble packing material, she has a fetish for it.

    Since you said "pop", could it be that your favorite bottle of perfume exploded, or your shaving cream?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    Sep 9, 2013, 05:20 PM
    If they missed a shaving can "popping" open twice ("it happened before") then I know why darthalf is half a dart short... ;)

    See video:

    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #5

    Sep 9, 2013, 06:11 PM
    You are good Mark. I got to figure out how to post those smiley faces and grins.

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