water hammer
Hydraulic pressure surge
Water hammer is a loud banging or knocking in pipes when water flow is suddenly stopped—typically when a valve closes quickly or a faucet shuts off.
The momentum of moving water creates a pressure wave that slams through the plumbing: We heard water hammer every time the washing machine changed cycles.
The phenomenon can damage pipes and fittings over time.
Device that stops something
- air chamberEnclosed space holding gas
- check valveDevice allowing unidirectional flow
- pipeHollow conveyance channel
- copper tubingHollow metallic conduit material
fittings · shutoff valve · pressure relief valve · faucet · washer · plumber · banging pipes · dishwasher
Temporary, soon departing
- pipe burstPlumbing failure releasing water
- fluid dynamicsScience of flowing matter
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- kinetic energyPower from movement
wave speed · compressibility · elasticity · pump failure · cavitation · pressure wave · inertia · impulse
Striking with force
- knockingStriking to announce presence
- clangingResonant metallic sounding
- rattlingProducing rapid knocks
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
noise · shuddering · pounding · thumping · resonance · oscillation · repetitive · startling
arrestor
Device that stops something
- air chamberEnclosed space holding gas
- check valveDevice allowing unidirectional flow
- pipeHollow conveyance channel
copper tubing · fittings · shutoff valve · pressure relief valve · faucet · washer · plumber · banging pipes · dishwasher · washing machine
transient
Temporary, soon departing
- pipe burstPlumbing failure releasing water
- fluid dynamicsScience of flowing matter
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
kinetic energy · wave speed · compressibility · elasticity · pump failure · cavitation · pressure wave · inertia · impulse · force
banging
Striking with force
- knockingStriking to announce presence
- clangingResonant metallic sounding
- rattlingProducing rapid knocks
vibration · noise · shuddering · pounding · thumping · resonance · oscillation · repetitive · startling · loud
- plumbing problemsleak, leaks, clog, clogs, burst pipe
- water motionsplash, pour, flow, trickle, gush
- waveswave crest, shock wave, wave front, blast wave, seismic wave
- plumbingpipes, valves, fittings, faucets, drains
- noise controlnoise control, noise reduction, noise abatement, soundproofing, sound insulation
- waterpowerwaterwheel, watermill, hydropower, hydroelectric dam, hydroelectric plant
water hammerlaminar flow
Smooth, parallel fluid motion
steady flow · drip · trickle · soft start · seep
water, hammer, watered, hammering, underwater, waterproof, watershed, rainwater, watertight