New water heater shaking and hammering noise in the wall
#1
04-06-17, 09:19 PM
New water heater shaking and hammering noise in the wall
I had the plumber replace a water heater last week. It's a Rheem 50G power vent unit. Everything was working fine until today when there's hammering noise in our shower wall in the second floor and the water heater in the basement is shaking. What is the cause and what can I do until my plumber can come by?
#2
04-07-17, 03:30 AM
Assuming it is only shaking while the hammering is going on and you are using water, just minimize the use of water until he arrives. He will probably install water hammer arresters to stop the noise and movement. There is air trapped in the system and it is trying to find its way out. Is there a small tank installed above the water heater on the cold water inlet side? Codes in some localities call for that to keep inordinate pressure from backing up when the water heats up and pressurizes.
#3
04-07-17, 09:45 AM
No there's no small tank above the unit. Why wasn't this an issue with the previous unit but with this new one?
After a couple rounds of showers, the noise stopped. I want the plumber to come back when it's happenening again. Is there any chance that the air has escaped and it won't happen again?
After a couple rounds of showers, the noise stopped. I want the plumber to come back when it's happenening again. Is there any chance that the air has escaped and it won't happen again?
#4
04-07-17, 02:12 PM
The air embolism may have worked its way out after the shower usage, and it may never happen again. Water hammer is common and arresters are a good solution. The expansion tank would take some of this shock if installed, but you don't have one. Not sure what part of Illinois you are in, but I am sure Chicago has a code issue on the tanks.
Taking the old unit out and installing a new one could have exacerbated the problem, and caused the hammering.
Taking the old unit out and installing a new one could have exacerbated the problem, and caused the hammering.
