According to statistics, the cause of most pipeline failures is water hammer, triggered by sudden changes in internal pressure. The consequences of such a phenomenon can be very different, up to complete failure of the system. To protect yourself from interruptions in heating or water supply, you need to take protective measures.
What is water hammer called and why does it occur?
The concept of water hammer is used to denote a significant change in pressure in a pipe with a liquid medium in a very compressed time period.
Most often this happens due to a sharp change in flow speed when one or another obstacle appears in its path (an air lock, valve valve, etc.). Having encountered an obstacle, the liquid retains the inertia of movement, which leads to compaction of the layer located near the obstacle. If this process is not stopped, the continued injection of the medium will provoke a rapid pressure surge.
Situations like this almost always involve shutting off the flow using a valve or tap. It may seem that this phenomenon does not pose any danger, which prompts many owners not to treat it with due attention. However, as experts recommend, if the slightest preconditions appear, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
Most often, water hammer occurs in the following situations:
- when starting and stopping pumping equipment, as well as in case of its breakdown;
- if air pockets appear in a closed circuit. Before starting the system, it is necessary to clear it of accumulated air. This is done using special taps;
- in the event of a power outage (this is true for systems with forced circulation);
- when shut-off valves (valves, gate valves, taps, etc.) are abruptly closed.
The last cause of water hammer in a water supply system is the most common. This is especially true for the period of time when old valves began to be massively replaced by modern high-speed ball-type valves.
If there are air accumulations in the circuit, each opening of the ball valve will provoke direct contact of air with the liquid compressed to the limit. Because of this, the pressure can jump to several tens of atmospheres. If appropriate measures are not taken, sooner or later this will lead to very sad consequences.
As paradoxical as it may sound, the use of screw valves of the old design guarantees greater safety, since they are able to smoothly regulate liquid flows.
What does this mean?
Due to the sudden appearance of an obstacle in the path of fluid movement, the internal pressure in a closed circuit can reach enormous values. This leads to destructive loads on the elements and components included in the system. Water hammer is most dangerous for pipelines of considerable length (for example, heated floors in an apartment).
The most likely consequences of water hammer:
- failure of pipes and equipment;
- destruction of heating batteries;
- water hammer in the heating system can lead to serious burns;
- interruptions in the supply of water and heat;
- damage to property (your own and your neighbor's) due to leakage.
Such accidents especially often occur on rusty, worn-out pipelines. The extent of the damage is greatly influenced by the area where the obstacle appeared: the closer to the beginning of the pipeline, the smaller the consequences will be.
Often this phenomenon occurs in heating systems constructed from pipes of different diameters. If different-sized sections have not been adapted with special adapters, pressure surges will certainly occur.
Ways to prevent water hammer
It is almost impossible to get rid of the periodic occurrence of excess pressure in the pipeline, so the main measures are aimed at reducing its intensity and creating effective protection for pipes and other elements of the system.
Smooth adjustment
The easiest and most inexpensive way to prevent hydrodynamic shock is to use stepless adjustment. This recommendation is stated in the regulatory documentation for the operation of facilities served by a centralized supply of water and heat.
This principle can be used not only in apartment buildings, but also in the private sector, where autonomous heating systems are usually used. Due to the smooth use of shut-off valves, a sudden increase in pressure does not occur: this process is, as it were, stretched over time. As a result, while maintaining the total impact force, a reduction in its power is achieved.
It is most convenient to implement a similar method using taps with gradual blocking of the flow.
Automatic protection
It is not always possible to achieve gradual correction of internal pressure manually. More convenient and reliable in operation are automatic water hammer dampers, which are installed on pumps in forced systems.
Automation makes it possible to smoothly increase the engine speed when turning it on, and when turning it off, reduce it just as smoothly. Thus, internal pressure does not reach its maximum immediately, but after some time. At the same time, along with monitoring pressure indicators, the electronics independently regulate the pressure.
Using expansion joints
The task of the hydraulic compensator (also called a damper and hydraulic accumulator) is to accumulate fluid and absorb its excess from the circuit, which helps reduce the level of internal pressure. As a result, this makes it possible to absorb the resulting water hammer.
Note! According to European standards, equipping water supply and heating systems with hydraulic accumulators is a prerequisite.
The compensator design consists of a sealed steel tank, an elastic rubber membrane and an air valve built into it. The location of its installation is the areas of the heating circuit with the greatest likelihood of pressure surges.
Safety valve
The installation location of the safety valve with a diaphragm is a section of pipe in close proximity to the pump, immediately after the return fuse (this allows the required volume of liquid to be released in the event of excess pressure). In various device models, their activation can be carried out either by an electrical controller or by a pilot high-speed device.
The valve is activated when the pressure exceeds a safe limit, which provides reliable protection for the circulation pump in the event of a sudden stop. When dangerous internal tension reaches its maximum, the device opens 100%. After the situation normalizes, the regulator gradually closes. This way it is possible to avoid water hammer and ensure a stable rate of fluid circulation in the system.
Shock-absorbing devices
Another effective method of protecting water pipelines is the use of shock-absorbing water hammer compensators.
Most often we are talking about plastic or heat-resistant rubber pipes. Their location must coincide with the direction of movement of the coolant (the thermostat is located immediately behind such a pipe). Thanks to its elasticity, the product is able to independently remove the energy of a hydraulic shock. On average, the length of the shock-absorbing section is taken within 20-30 cm. For very long contours, the length of the reinforced rubber pipe can be increased to 40 cm.
Safety thermostat
In some situations, a thermostat equipped with special protection against power surges helps to avoid water hammer.
Inside the device there is a spring filling that separates the valve and the thermal head. During a pressure surge, the triggered mechanism prevents the valve from completely closing. As the power of the hydraulic shock decreases, the outlet gradually closes. When installing a safety thermostat, it is important not to confuse the arrow on the body and the direction of movement of the liquid medium in the pipe.
Possibility of bypass
You can make a protective thermostat yourself by equipping the thermostatic valve with a special shunt. We are talking about a thin tube with a diameter of 0.2-0.4 mm or a hole of a similar cross-section. If the system is not overloaded, the thermostat will operate normally. If internal tension appears, it will be smoothly released.
Attention! It should be borne in mind that in this way it is allowed to complete only automatic circuits with new pipes (if there are solid impurities or rust in the liquid medium, they will quickly clog the pipe).
Preventive measures
In parallel with equipping the system with special protective devices, simple preventive measures will help reduce the likelihood of water hammer.
To do this you need:
- monitor the effectiveness of the safety group (safety valve, air vent and pressure gauge).
- from time to time check the pressure inside the expansion tank, adjusting it if necessary;
- check for leaks in the circuit, eliminating all detected defects;
- monitor how shut-off valves are located in relation to the movement of the coolant;
- Regularly clean filters designed to retain scale, sand and rust.
The greatest effectiveness of the listed protective measures is observed when they are used comprehensively. This approach will allow us to achieve full-scale neutralization of the negative consequences of excess pressure in the system.
Residents of both private houses and apartments sometimes hear strange noises from water supply pipes. This may include clicking, tapping, and similar sounds. At first glance, there is nothing dangerous or alarming about them. As a rule, such “phenomena” happen quite rarely, from which many people conclude that there is simply no threat. But this opinion is wrong.
What is water hammer in a water supply system?
Imagine a simple situation: a stream of water moves at a certain speed, and suddenly an obstacle suddenly appears on its surface.
What happens in this case?
Due to the sharp impact of the flow on the obstacle, a reverse wave appears, the speed of which is slightly higher than the speed of the flow moving towards the obstacle.
Now imagine such a picture in a closed pipe. As a result of the occurrence of such a wave, the internal pressure in the pipes increases significantly. This phenomenon is called water hammer. It is this that causes third-party sounds and can cause serious damage to the system.
Let's consider the main causes of water hammer in the water supply system:
- presence of air in the pipes (do not forget to bleed it);
- sudden shutdown of the hydraulic pump (this can be either an automatic shutdown or a sudden breakdown or stop due to lack of electricity);
- check valve operation;
- automation failure;
- sudden closing/opening of shut-off valves;
- errors during planning and installation of the system.
It should be noted that in most cases (approximately 60%), water hammer in the water supply system occurs precisely as a result of the sudden closure of valves.
It is noteworthy that previously water hammers in systems occurred much less frequently. The fact is that the use of a threaded valve made it possible to shut off the flow of water gradually: that is, the possibility of water hammer was significantly reduced.
Today, this problem is encountered more often because standard valves have been replaced with ball valves. They are very convenient and reliable to use, but the flow is blocked much more abruptly with such a tap. As a result, the number of water hammers occurring in the system has increased.
A few words should be said about improperly planned water supply systems. In them, water hammers also occur quite often, even despite the use of screw rather than ball valves.
The main reason is sharp transitions in pipe diameter. That is, when liquid under pressure moves through a large diameter pipe, it gradually reaches a point where the diameter of the pipe changes. And this “narrowing” can also cause problems.
Consequences
Central highways also suffer due to water hammer
Regularly occurring water hammer in the water supply system can lead to the most unpleasant consequences. First of all, impulse. And it’s good if it appears in an accessible place. That is, where it is possible to quickly eliminate it. But in some cases. And then there will be much more problems.
In any case, even if the impact caused only minor damage to the pipe, it is necessary to look for the cause of such an unpleasant incident. After all, regularly occurring problems gradually damage the pipe.
How to avoid all this?
Those who have at least once encountered an increase in pressure in the system and its unpleasant consequences ask a rather simple and quite appropriate question: how to avoid water hammer in the water supply?
In fact, there are several ways that can help prevent this problem in the future:
- First of all, it is softness and accuracy of actions. That is, as was said, abruptly closing the ball valve can lead to water hammer. Accordingly, to prevent this from happening, shut-off valves must be closed carefully and slowly.
- It's better to take a few extra seconds to do this than to spend days and money later repairing damaged sections of your plumbing.
- If an increase in pressure in the water supply system of your home often occurs due to the pump stopping, it is rational to install a special safety valve. It is triggered only when a water hammer occurs, significantly reducing the pressure that is currently occurring. The valve is a fairly reliable protection and is installed on the water pipe near the pump.
- If water hammer occurs because the entire plumbing system was planned incorrectly, it will have to be redone. It's important to understand: if installation errors are not corrected immediately after water hammer appears, then soon you will still have to redo the system. After all, if the problem recurs, pipes and connecting elements fail quite quickly. Only repairs will be more expensive.
- A solution to the problem of frequent water hammer can be the introduction of an automatic control unit into the water supply system. With its help, starting and stopping the system will become smooth. When turned on and off, the pump will gradually increase/decrease the pressure, thus reducing the possibility of sudden changes in pressure in the pipes to zero.
- Upgrading the system will also help reduce water hammer in the water supply. First of all, experts recommend installing a damper (hydraulic accumulator, compensator). It plays an important role: it is in it that liquid collects when the pressure in the system increases. Thus, the water hammer is “extinguished” immediately after it occurs, without harming the elements and the pipeline.
How to prevent the occurrence?
In order not to think about such a problem as the sad consequences of increased pressure, you should properly plan and install the water supply system.
You can check it using a special device for simulating water hammer in water supply lines. It helps to identify the weak points of the system and correct them before it is put into operation.
Conclusion
Water hammer can become quite a big problem for a water supply system. You should be extremely careful when planning and installing all elements.
In addition, the appearance of third-party sounds in the system is a clear sign that there is a problem, and it is better to solve it immediately.
We hope that the article was useful to you. We will be grateful for its “sharing” on social networks. Have a nice day!
Water hammer is a short-term surge in pressure in a system filled with liquid. A similar phenomenon occurs if the flow of liquid unexpectedly encounters an obstacle along its path. This happens when, for example, a shut-off valve suddenly closes, or the injection pump suddenly stops.
After colliding with an obstacle, the water flow continues its inertial flow at the same speed, but new layers of flow are injected, compacting the layers that have already collided with the obstacle. This causes the pressure in the pipes to rapidly increase, which expand and can burst at any moment. The occurrence of a problem may be preceded by extraneous noises, clicks and knocks in the pipes, as well as a characteristic hum.
If the pipe does burst, an extremely dangerous emergency situation is created that may affect:
- equipment (pipelines and heating devices);
- property (the premises are flooded, furniture and other things are damaged);
- people in the apartment (a rupture of the heating system threatens serious thermal burns).
Causes of water hammer
In new heating and water supply systems, the likelihood of pressure increase and water hammer occurring is extremely low. This is explained by the fact that the factors leading to this phenomenon are formed gradually. One of them is the clogging of pipes with solid particles, which are chemical substances contained in the water that have undergone mineralization, as well as dirt and rust. Another type of obstacle in the path of water is the accumulation of air, which occurs due to power outages, malfunction of the circulation pump, or errors in the installation of system components.
Pressure in a closed circuit may increase due to increased fluid injection, which occurs if the pump connected to the system operates at too high a speed. Also, when installing heating and plumbing systems, pipes of different diameters are often used. This technology is acceptable, but requires bringing “different-sized” components to a “common denominator” using special adapters, as well as protecting system joints with a special thermostatic valve.
Water hammer often occurs in systems where ball valves, which are not smooth running, are used instead of classic valves and gate valves. Any careless shut-off of water can lead to significant pressure fluctuations, so this operation (for example, during repairs or replacement of components) should be carried out under the guidance of specialists in the field of plumbing and engineering.
Basic methods of protection against water hammer
To reduce excess pressure in pipelines and neutralize it, a number of special measures must be taken. The simplest way to protect the system from water hammer is to smoothly close it. This point is always indicated in regulatory documents. Before installing the piping, the system valves are soft-closed. During debugging work, they are gradually opened, allowing the pressure to stabilize and ensure a constant flow rate.
The next point is the use of specialized automatic devices. They are pumps configured to smoothly adjust the static pressure in the pipeline. These devices are capable of automatically changing the number of operating revolutions, monitoring any fluctuations in the system, or are equipped with control units with a display, through which the user can independently adjust the force and speed of the flow.
Comprehensive system modernization
Maximum stabilization of the system (for example, in houses with old and unreliable plumbing and heating systems) requires the installation of equipment that effectively neutralizes excess pressure in the pipes. This includes the following types of devices:
- Compensators and shock absorbers. Powerful hydraulic accumulators act as shock absorbers, capable of collecting excess fluid, eliminating the negative consequences of its accumulation. The compensating device is a hydraulic accumulator, installed in the direction of water movement in areas of the heating circuit where the highest probability of pressure fluctuations in the system is observed. Externally, hydraulic accumulators look like steel flasks with a volume of up to 30 liters, consisting of two sections, which are separated by a rubber or rubber membrane.
- Safety diaphragm valve. This device is placed at the outlet of the pipeline to release liquid when there is excess pressure. Currently, most radiators of heating systems are equipped with this device. Typically the valve is activated by a controller or some type of quick response device. The latter is triggered if a safe pressure level is exceeded, protecting the system from water hammer. When there is a dangerous surge in pressure, the valve opens completely, and when it drops to normal levels, the regulator slowly closes.
- Thermostat with maximum protection. This is a special fuse that monitors the pressure in the system and suspends its operation until the indicator reaches a critical point. The device has a spring mechanism located between the valve and the thermal head. The system is triggered when overpressure is detected and prevents the valve from closing completely. These devices are installed strictly in the direction indicated on the housing.
Prevention of water supply and heating systems
Along with strict adherence to the rules of operation of water supply systems, it is necessary to carry out special preventive measures 1-2 times a year. Maintenance of equipment helps to avoid not only water hammer, but also other destructive processes that lead the water supply system to an unsatisfactory technical condition.
The constant flow of water causes inevitable vibrations in the pipeline, slightly changing the pressure in the system. This will not necessarily lead to water hammer, but will contribute to the formation of microcracks in the structure of the metal shell of the pipes. If water hammer does occur subsequently, the pipe may burst precisely in the areas of microcracks. Particular attention should be paid to areas of increased internal stress, which include bends, mechanical connections and welds.
Prevention includes the following activities:
- checking the condition of a group of protective devices (safety valve, pressure gauge and air vent);
- checking the pressure and adjusting it behind the expansion tank membrane;
- checking the degree of wear of components and testing the system for possible leaks;
- checking the position of shut-off and control valves for leaks;
- checking the appearance and functionality of filters that retain sand, scale and small particles of rust, cleaning and washing the elements if necessary.
All these precautions can be implemented at home without the involvement of specialists. If, during the prevention process, significant flaws in certain components were discovered, a leak was observed, or extraneous noise was heard, it is necessary to contact specialized services as soon as possible for a more thorough analysis of the entire system and its possible repair.
If you often hear clicks and knocks in your water pipes, this is most likely caused by water hammer in the water supply system when you close the taps. The phenomenon is very common, and often leads to partial or complete failure of the system.
Being left without water for some time is not the biggest problem. It’s worse if a breakthrough happens in the absence of the owners, causing a flood in yours and the apartments below. Therefore, every homeowner should know why water hammer occurs, what it is and how to prevent it.
The nature of water hammer
First, let's figure out what water hammer is. It's simple: this is a sharp jump in water pressure in the pipes in one direction or another.
- When the pressure rises sharply when the pump is turned on or the tap is turned off, a positive hydraulic shock first occurs, since the water, by inertia, continues to flow at the same speed, but encounters a sudden obstacle in its path. In this case, in the area directly near the obstacle (for example, shut-off valves (see)), excess pressure is formed on the pipe walls. The water has nowhere to go; it compresses poorly, so the walls of the pipe stretch.
- When faced with an obstacle, the water stream is thrown back and collides with a wave that is still flowing towards it. Again, this puts pressure on the walls of the sealed pipeline.
- With a sharp outflow of water mass from the obstacle, an area of low pressure is formed next to it, in which the walls of the pipe are now compressed. This is negative water hammer.
The shock wave does not subside immediately; it rolls in and retreats several times with decreasing strength and amplitude. All this happens in a fraction of a second, during which the pipes alternately experience positive and negative loads.
There are other reasons that cause water hammer. These are air pockets in the pipeline, sharp turns or connections of pipes of different diameters, sudden pump starts. Any obstacle to the high-speed flow of liquid changes its volume and, as a result, pressure.
Consequences and ways to prevent water hammer
Now let's look at what frequent water hammer can cause in a home plumbing system, how to determine what it is, and how to eliminate it.
What can a sharp increase in pressure in pipes lead to?
Let's start with the fact that the first sign of water hammer is noise in the system: knocking, clicking, dull blows. They can also be identified by visual signs. These are, first of all, flowing taps and mixers, as well as crimp fittings and connectors with rubber gaskets.
When water hammer impacts the water supply of a home with sufficient force, these gaskets and seals are the first to be squeezed out. The tightness of the system is broken.
For reference. Pressure surges can also damage water meters, pressure gauges and other control and measuring instruments.
But the most unpleasant thing is a pipeline rupture. It is not afraid of weak shocks, but regular exposure to powerful shocks can lead to depressurization of even a new water supply system.
Pipe rupture due to water hammer
In a word, such phenomena seriously affect the integrity of pipelines and their trouble-free service life. Sometimes we create problems for ourselves with our own hands, entrusting the installation of water supply to unqualified specialists, or doing it ourselves without knowledge and experience.
Note! The result may be flooding of the apartment, damage to furniture and household appliances, and serious costs for restoring the water supply system. And sometimes serious injuries and burns occur if a heating pipe or hot water supply breaks.
What to do to eliminate water hammer and its consequences
Protection against water hammer in an apartment's water supply system can be done in different ways. But the first thing that needs to be done is to conduct an audit of the entire system to detect leaks, weak points and, in general, the age and suitability of the pipeline for operation.
It is better to completely replace old pipes with new plastic ones with welded joints. This is the most reliable and durable option.
Advice. If you install a system of pipes with a larger diameter than before, this will significantly reduce the force of water hammer by reducing the flow rate.
Now we suggest exploring several ways to eliminate this phenomenon or reduce its impact on your plumbing system. Some of them are useful in apartments, others in country houses with autonomous supply. But most are universal.
Let's start with them:
- Replacing taps. Most faucets in our homes have a ball design, which allows you to turn off the water in one motion. This is very convenient for the consumer, but not very good for the system, because it is the sudden appearance of an obstacle in the flow path that leads to a pressure surge. If you replace ball valves with valve ones, the pressure in the pipeline when they are closed will change gradually, and over a longer period of time.
- Installation of shock absorbers. This can be a special rubber vibration insert, or an elastic hose made of plastic or rubber, embedded in the pipeline in one of the sections. When a shock wave occurs, the shock absorbers stretch or compress depending on whether the pressure in the system has increased or decreased, and instantly dampen it. Their elastic walls do not deform, unlike the rigid walls of pipes.
- Installation of expansion joints. These are spring parts screwed into the pipeline that absorb excess pressure and reduce vibration and noise. A steel spring located inside the air chamber is connected to a plastic disk. When the pressure in the pipe increases, the disk puts pressure on the spring, causing it to compress and make room to absorb the shock wave.
It is worth dwelling in more detail on the design of such compensators and the rules for their installation.
In the following picture you can see the structure of the part in section, where:
- 1 – housing cover;
- 2 – spring;
- 3 – sealing ring;
- 4 – plastic disk;
- 5 – lower part of the body;
- 6 – clamping ring;
- 7 – seal.
Water hammer compensator in internal water supply systems FAR HP 1/2″
The diagrams above show examples of correct installation of expansion joints. They can be mounted horizontally or vertically, on cold and hot water collectors, or on any section of the pipeline leading to the end point of water consumption.
The main thing is to avoid stagnation of water at the entrance to the compensator, otherwise bacteria may begin to multiply in the system. For this reason, the instructions do not allow its installation at the top of the riser.
As for the technical characteristics, for this particular device they are as follows:
These are the parameters by which the device is selected. They may vary.
If your home is supplied with water from an autonomous source using pumping equipment, the following methods can be used to prevent water hammer:
- Installing a hydraulic accumulator(cm. ). It is part of pumping stations and is a tank with a rubber membrane dividing it into two chambers - air and water. During a water hammer, excess water will be discharged into this tank until the pressure in the system normalizes.
- Usage, automatically regulating its operation and ensuring smooth start and stop. In this case, a sharp increase in pressure, which leads to water hammer, is excluded.
These are the most common methods that allow you to reliably protect the indoor water supply system from deformation and destruction.
Conclusion
According to statistics, more than half of pipeline accidents are not due to corrosion or fatigue of materials. They are caused by water hammer in the water supply system. But, as you have already seen, they can be completely avoided if you immediately install the system according to all the rules and equip it with special devices that dampen the shock wave.
What can happen if this is not done, watch the video in this article.
Such an unfavorable phenomenon as water hammer arose with the invention of the water supply system. It has been observed that sudden pressure surges in pipelines often lead to their rupture. To prevent this from happening to you, we will describe how water hammer occurs in the water supply system of an apartment and a country house, and get acquainted with the possible consequences and methods of eliminating accidents.
What it is
Water hammer is usually called short surges in pressure in the water supply system. A similar phenomenon can occur through a sudden change in the flow of liquid flowing through the pipes. According to experts, water hammer is considered to be the cause of a significant number of water supply accidents. The first alarm bells foreshadowing ruptured pipes or the appearance of cracks in other equipment are considered to be muffled knocks or rare clicks in the heating system.
Causes
In buildings with improperly installed utilities, you can often hear muffled tapping and sharp clicks. Such phenomena indicate sharp pressure surges in the system. They arise as a result of stopping the movement of liquid in pipes or through the beginning of water movement along the circuit.
Note! When an obstacle appears in the path of the flow, the speed of the liquid changes and its volume gradually increases. In this case, excess pressure occurs, about 10 atmospheres, which leads to pipe rupture.
One of the causes of water hammer Other causes of water hammer may be:
- A short period of time for turning on or off the circulation pump, or breakdown of the device;
- Presence of air pockets in the system. Before starting the heating, it is necessary to bleed off the gases through special valves and only after that can water be added;
- Power outages;
- Abrupt closing of a valve or tap.
The last reason is considered the most common. The fact is that in Soviet times, special valves were used in the utility system to smoothly shut off the water. Nowadays, utilities use ball valves that quickly shut off the flow of liquid.
A screw valve will help minimize the risk of water hammer If you do not remove the air from the main pipelines, it will come into contact with the liquid, which will increase the pressure several times. Frequent formation of air pockets can lead to pipe rupture.
Note! Old screw-type taps are considered the safest. With the help of such shut-off valves, you can smoothly shut off the water.
In a house with a hydraulic accumulator
In settlements without a central water supply, many owners of private houses use deep-well pumps. Such equipment takes water from a well, and some of the liquid is stored in a special expansion tank (hydraulic accumulator). From this container, water under a certain pressure enters the system.
Hydraulic accumulator connected to the pump The cause of water hammer in an autonomous water supply system is considered to be turning off the tap while the pumping station is operating. In this case, fluid flows that are in motion stop abruptly, hitting the ball after closing the shut-off valve.
The pump is equipped with a special relay, but even this device will not save you from a possible accident, because the mechanism begins to operate after closing the tap, when the pressure exceeds the threshold value. It will also take some time for the pump to turn off. The same can be said regarding stopping the liquid in the pipeline.
There are several ways to protect an autonomous water supply system from a sudden increase in pressure:
- Increasing the diameter of the pipeline, which will reduce the speed of moving water flows;
- By installing a special membrane-type expansion tank;
- Smooth closing of taps (installation of valve-type shut-off valves).
Consequences
Pipe rupture due to water hammer When an obstacle arises in the path of flow movement, the fluid pressure increases significantly, which leads to increased loads and destruction of the pipeline material. The maximum number of emergency situations occurs in long circuits of water supply systems, heating systems or other utilities. The destruction of a heated floor can cause certain inconveniences.
Note! To protect the underfloor heating system from overload, a thermostat valve is connected to the general system.
It is advisable to install the device in question at the inlet of the heated liquid into the pipeline system. When the valve closes automatically, the liquid moves by inertia. After the thermostat there is a section of pipe filled with vacuum, where there is a pressure within one atmosphere, while the system can easily withstand 4 atmospheres. To completely block the flow, another valve is installed at the outlet of the system.
Destruction of a heating radiator due to water hammer The consequences of water hammer can be:
- Destruction of thermal equipment and pipelines;
- The appearance of cracks and further destruction of the material of heating devices;
- Possibility of severe burns in case of heating system accidents;
- Termination of heat and water supply to a country house;
- Possibility of flooding neighbors.
How to fix
The main method of eliminating water hammer is to reduce the speed of water flow in the system. In this case, it is necessary to use special valves with a long stem, and also to increase the diameter of the pipelines.
Water hammer can be avoided by inserting a section of plastic or metal-plastic pipe into the metal main. To compensate for the resulting loads, a section 30-40 centimeters long is sufficient. The fluid speed can be reduced by installing a piece of pipe made in the form of a “P” symbol on the riser. In a heating system, similar functions can be performed by a heated towel rail.
A U-shaped pipe section will help prevent water hammer One of the most effective ways to eliminate water hammer is the use of a special safety valve. Such equipment passes a certain amount of water through itself as the pressure increases, which reduces the load on the installed equipment and the system as a whole. In this case, it is necessary to correctly adjust the operation of the valve, since high opening parameters of the mechanism will not make it possible to prevent water hammer.
Eliminating high pressure in local water supply systems involves the use of hydraulic accumulators, which are mounted in close proximity to the pumping station. The minimum tank capacity is 30 liters. The device is divided into two parts (water and air) by a special partition. When excess pressure occurs, the bulb stretches; during load compensation, water from the accumulator is returned to the system.
Protection against water hammer for apartments and country houses
Protecting suburban real estate, as well as city apartments, from possible water hammer involves neutralizing excess pressure in the water supply and heating system. The main requirement in the operation of heating networks is the smooth closing or opening of shut-off valves when heating is started.
In addition, the protection of heat and water supply systems involves the use of automatic devices. For example, a special circulation pump gradually increases speed, which will contribute to a smooth increase in pressure in the system. The same thing happens after the device is turned off. The installed software allows you to regulate the working pressure automatically.
For water supply to a country house, it is acceptable to use a hydraulic accumulator. Using such equipment, you can solve several main problems:
- Accumulation of excess liquid in the reservoir;
- Reducing pressure in the system by stretching the membrane (bulb);
- Prevention of emergency situations.
Note! The pumping station is protected in the event of a sudden engine stop using a special valve that relieves excess pressure. The device is mounted next to the pump after the check valve.
You can protect your apartment from water hammer in the following ways:
- Installation of a shock-absorbing plastic tube into a metal pipeline system;
- Installing a heated towel rail on a pipe riser;
- Smooth closing of shut-off valves;
- Installation of a water hammer damper or pressure reducer.
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