How come water hammer occurs only with toilets?
Question:When toilet water tank refills, I can hear the tat-tat-tat-tat... sounds from the pipe in the wall. And it occurs to all 3 toilets in my house. How come it doesn't happen when I use faucets in sink or bathtub? I would think that they all use same supply water pipe. Thanks!
Answers:
The Tat tat tat sound might be that the fill valve(s) your using are old and worn out. The old pressure type valves I used to use did that same thing and, towards the end, I could hear a smalltrickle of water. Go to your local hard ware store and talk to the plumbing expert. Have them suggest a replacement.
The old guys at the Mom and Pop stores will usually help the most... lol Your faucets all use a type of ball valve or gate valve which slows the water to complete stop.
That is odd I don't think it is Water hammer, maybe the strapping to the fresh water lines is loose or non existant. Water Hammer would be heard from any valve used with the pressurized lines. Water Hammer is air in the lines.
The other answers are valid. Hammering from loose pipe needs strapping. Hammer "buffers" can be installed to act like a shock absorber, they look like huge bullets soldered into the side of water line.
Water hammer usually occurs with a fast-closing valve, such as a toilet refill valve, automatic dishswashing machine, clothes washer, outdoor irrigation electric valve, etc.
A sink or tub valve is turned off by hand at a slower rate, so water hammer does not occur.
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