My Toto Toilet Causes Water Hammer

What Is Water Hammer?

• Water hammer occurs when rushing water is suddenly stopped by a closing valve. Once the valve closes, the rushing water goes through the plumbing pipes and then into the home’s plumbing fixtures. The process produces loud banging noises similar to the sound of using a hammer.

Dangers

• In addition to the loud noises that it produces, the force of water hammer also causes plumbing problems in the home. If left uncorrected, it can damage joints and fittings and loosen pipe brackets. In addition, excessive wear and tear on the pipes as well as the fixtures and tank itself can damage these parts and cause leaking over time.

Water Pressure

• More recently designed toilets, as well as recent toilet fill valve assemblies, are equipped with valves that shut off more quickly than the ball cock design used in older toilets. The new design uses the system’s water pressure to close the valve, and high pressure will cause the valve to close too quickly. This is why water hammer may occur in recently installed toilets and recently replaced toilet fill valves, where there may not have been a problem using previous toilets and fill valve assemblies.

Solutions

• Several products can help reduce or eliminate water hammer. A permanent air chamber can be attached to the water supply line near the shutoff valve. The air chamber serves as a shock absorber, softening the effects of the water’s force. Another option is a water hammer arrester, which also absorbs rushing water. Water hammer arresters provide more plumbing protection than air chambers and are often chosen in applications where air chambers are impractical. In addition, “pro series” fill valve assemblies claim to reduce 99 percent of water hammer.