I bought my house about a year ago and inherited an outdoor sprinkler system I'm not too familiar with. Every morning, the sprinklers turn off and I hear a loud banging noise in the walls—specifically near my master bathroom and kitchen. It happens right when the sprinklers shut off, and I'm worried this might cause damage. What's causing this noise, and how can I fix it?
3 Answers
You might also want to look into the water pressure coming into your house. A pressure that’s too high can worsen the effects of water hammer. Consider getting a pressure regulator if your water pressure is above 80psi. That alone won't solve the issue, but it can help make it less severe, preventing future damage.
What you're experiencing is likely water hammer, which happens when the water flow is abruptly stopped and creates a shockwave in the pipes. This can wear down the pipes over time and lead to leaks. Installing a water hammer arrestor could help minimize the noise and protect your plumbing. It can be added close to the hose before the timer if needed.
This banging sound is typically due to the pipes moving against their supports when the water flow stops suddenly. To fix this, make sure your pipes are well secured. You might also want to install an expansion tank next to the solenoid valves to absorb some of that shock.