User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Water hammer

  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper Hobo Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    157
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Water hammer

    2019 Reflection 337RLS. Last couple of weeks hearing a clunking noise - clunk clunk - when I turn on water - either hot or cold, or toilet. I am full timing in the same place for the last few months and on city water. Sound coming from behind the hutch where the hot water tank and water panel is. Doesn't happen every time, only happens a few times per day. Sounds like water hammer from taking in air somewhere, but I don't know where that would be from. Any ideas ??
    Hobo Bill
    From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    Traveling Full Time Across the US
    2019 Reflection 5th Wheel 337RLS
    2007 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Cummins 6.7 Turbo Diesel
    Goodrich T/A KO2 All Terrain Tires
    Reese RP30081 20K
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  2. #2
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Wherever...
    Posts
    9,016
    Mentioned
    187 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    "Water hammer" happens when you turn the water off abruptly. Is the sound happening when you turn the water on or off? Also, air is more compressible so usually reduces water hammer - that's why many plumbers put the little capped-off pipe above the faucet manifold for an air trap. On the other hand, sometimes reducing the pressure in the hot water heater will cause some air bubbles to rapidly form. That's usually a one or two second sound rather than a single "rap."

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  3. #3
    Seasoned Camper Hobo Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    157
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Second Chance View Post
    "Water hammer" happens when you turn the water off abruptly. Is the sound happening when you turn the water on or off? Also, air is more compressible so usually reduces water hammer - that's why many plumbers put the little capped-off pipe above the faucet manifold for an air trap. On the other hand, sometimes reducing the pressure in the hot water heater will cause some air bubbles to rapidly form. That's usually a one or two second sound rather than a single "rap."

    Rob
    Happens as soon as I turn on the water. It goes clunk clunk, just as you would say it. No other strange noises.
    Hobo Bill
    From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    Traveling Full Time Across the US
    2019 Reflection 5th Wheel 337RLS
    2007 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Cummins 6.7 Turbo Diesel
    Goodrich T/A KO2 All Terrain Tires
    Reese RP30081 20K
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  4. #4
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Wherever...
    Posts
    9,016
    Mentioned
    187 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Hobo Bill View Post
    Happens as soon as I turn on the water. It goes clunk clunk, just as you would say it. No other strange noises.
    My guess is, then, that it's expansion in the hot water heater. If that's the case, it's nothing to worry about. Is the water pressure at the park high and are you using a water pressure regulator?

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  5. #5
    Rolling Along AZMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Location
    Southern Arizona
    Posts
    638
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Hobo Bill View Post
    Happens as soon as I turn on the water. It goes clunk clunk, just as you would say it. No other strange noises.
    I've had it happen with old (especially hot) water faucets with bad gaskets/washers. In fact, it's happening now in the bathroom that I haven't gotten to remodel yet.
    Mike & (RIP Karen)
    2021 Imagine 2600RB
    2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 RW, Tow Package
    Husky Centerline WDH
    Champion 2500DF, Prodigy P2

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper Hobo Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    157
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Second Chance View Post
    My guess is, then, that it's expansion in the hot water heater. If that's the case, it's nothing to worry about. Is the water pressure at the park high and are you using a water pressure regulator?

    Rob
    Yes, using a water pressure regulator set at 45 psi and yielding 45 psi. Campground pressure ranges from 50-60. Would the expansion of the hot water heater also be as a result of flushing the toilet ? Thank you for your help and if you have other questions or comments let me know.
    Hobo Bill
    From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    Traveling Full Time Across the US
    2019 Reflection 5th Wheel 337RLS
    2007 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Cummins 6.7 Turbo Diesel
    Goodrich T/A KO2 All Terrain Tires
    Reese RP30081 20K
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  7. #7
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Wherever...
    Posts
    9,016
    Mentioned
    187 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Hobo Bill View Post
    Yes, using a water pressure regulator set at 45 psi and yielding 45 psi. Campground pressure ranges from 50-60. Would the expansion of the hot water heater also be as a result of flushing the toilet ? Thank you for your help and if you have other questions or comments let me know.
    Yes - if it causes a drop in pressure on the input side of the water system. If you watch the gauge on your pressure regulator while someone opens a cold faucet or flushes, you'll probably notice a dip in the needle.

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper Hobo Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    157
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Second Chance View Post
    Yes - if it causes a drop in pressure on the input side of the water system. If you watch the gauge on your pressure regulator while someone opens a cold faucet or flushes, you'll probably notice a dip in the needle.

    Rob
    Yes, you are right, hot and cold is all "connected" at the front end. I will check that with my pressure gage. Thanks
    Hobo Bill
    From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    Traveling Full Time Across the US
    2019 Reflection 5th Wheel 337RLS
    2007 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Cummins 6.7 Turbo Diesel
    Goodrich T/A KO2 All Terrain Tires
    Reese RP30081 20K
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  9. #9
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Fort Collins, Colorado
    Posts
    1,303
    Mentioned
    25 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Hobo Bill View Post
    Yes, you are right, hot and cold is all "connected" at the front end. I will check that with my pressure gage. Thanks
    I think Rob @Second Chance has you on the right track. But if that does not pan out, any chance you have your water pump turned on? My thought is when you first turn on the water, the pressure drops for a minute and the pump kicks in. Then pump turns off as soon as the pressure comes back up. Definitely a low possibility but wanted to toss it out there.

    Chris
    Chris & Karen
    Fort Collins, CO
    2017 F-350 SRW 6.7 Lariat Value CC LB 4x4
    2018 Solitude 310GK - Sold 7/2023

  10. #10
    Site Team traveldawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Florida Space Coast
    Posts
    3,853
    Blog Entries
    1
    Mentioned
    94 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Isn't there suppose to be some air space in the water heater such than when it is filled there is some air in the top of the tank to allow for expansion? Isn't there a particular way to fill the water heater to establish (or re-establish) that air pocket? Could lack of an air pocket cause the noise?

    I like the idea about the pump being on.
    Larry KE4DMG
    2022 F-350 KRU SRW LB - Airlift 5000+, ForScan, 37 RDS Aux Tank,
    2019 310GK-R - Sailuns; MorRyde IS; Disc Brakes; 20K Reese Goosebox
    Search kalakamods for my mods


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.