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Water hammer with a new washing machine

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ikessky

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
119
Location
Wisconsin
Alright guys, I know this isn't garage related, but hopefully someone has some advice they can offer. I installed an LG front load washer and the water hammer that it has now produced is driving me up the wall. I know all about the valves opening and closing quickly, so you don't need to explain that to me. What I need is some advice on how to make it go away. Here is what I've done so far:

- install clips to hold all the loose piping to solid joists
- install water hammer arrestors directly on the wash machine AND on the water stubs in the utility room
- turn the quarter-turn supply valves half closed
 
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C

chops101

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
554
Location
S. FL
Water hammer arrestors work.
I installed a pedal valve for my kitchen faucet, and had the hammer bad, but I sweat on the arrestors for hot and cold, and problem completely solved.
 
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I

ikessky

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
119
Location
Wisconsin
See above. I have two on that line. Bled it multiple times. No worky.

6t7gto - I'll take a look for a PRV, didn't even think to test the pressure.
 
T

Trey T

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
3,749
Location
Houston, TX
try testing the machine w/ two arrestor (cold or hot) in series to see if it helps. If so, I believe your pressure might be too high for that machine.

I used Sixous Chief from HD and it works really well.
 
N

Norcal

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Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,764
If the washers in the angle/straight stops are bad at any fixtures you can get water hammer, one possible solution.
 
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nonhog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
2,449
Location
Arizona (Tucson)
Same deal at my house. I suspect my pressure is too high. Lots of water flow sounds in the walls before the new "space ship friggen sounding" washer.
:D

What should the home water pressure range be?
 
D

domain

Well-known member
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
902
45 to 60 is good. Mixing higher with loose pipes and a fast action water valve. ...uh ohhhhhh
 
B

Baada

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2010
Messages
258
Location
Eastern Missouri
Had the same issue when we got front loaders. Then I noticed it on the fridge water dispenser too. Checked the incoming pressure and it was 105-110psi. Installed pressure reducer valve and backed the pressure to 70psi and no mores issues.

Apparently about the time we got the front loader, the water company installed a new booster pump to the main supply line due to new construction further down the road. We are only a few blocks downstream of the booster. Yikes!

I also piped the exterior hose bibs before the pressure reducer so I can wash the cars and water the yard with the higher pressure.
 
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I

ikessky

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
119
Location
Wisconsin
I ordered a pressure gauge and it should be here tomorrow. In the mean time, I turned the 1/4 turn valves for the washer all the way closed and then opened them just slightly. So far, that has seemed to reduce the banging. The wash machine did not give me any fault codes for lack of water, so that is good.
 
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nonhog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
2,449
Location
Arizona (Tucson)
ikessky, going to jump into your thread (hope you don't mind)

Tested my pressure and it was 75 PSI. My Contractor buddy came by and tested with his and it was 110 PSI. Retested mine was 80. Then his again, was 90. Whatever the case its too high.

added these and already (w/o new regulator) the hammering has stopped.
V
http://www.siouxchief.com/docs/defa...ly/mini-rester-brochure-web-4-10.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Tomorrow new regulator! I'll report back.
 
J

jgorm

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
463
Location
San Diego
I just bought a $8 pressure reduce made for rv use. Hopefully the threads match and it fixes the issue. I also have a vibration issue where it shakes my house. I have rubber feet on the way too.
 
M

mrjaw14

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
1,958
Location
Nashville, TN
I got a watts pressure gauge with a red MAX indicator and left it on a house i was about to buy that didn't have a PRV on it. I knew from opening the faucets the pressure was too high. I measured 65-70 instantly and I told my real estate agent that was too high and that'd it'd go higher when the hot water heater kicked on. he brushed me off, but we came back the next day and sure enough, the max indicator was sitting 80-85. They refused to install a PRV because they weren't having any issues with appliances. I kid you not less than 3 days later the water heater sprang a leak and what did the plumber say??? pressure too high. homeowners installed a prv, set for 60psi per my request and had to replace the hot water heater.

my first house the pressure was actually low, more like 45psi, no PRV. new development caused the utility to boost pressure and the whole neighborhood started having issues. I sweated on a PRV and all was right again.
 
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