3 Feb 2025
Water hammer, also known as water shock, is a phenomenon that occurs in a piping system when there is a sudden change in direction or cessation of the flow of water. It usually occurs when a valve is closed or the flow of water in a pipe is stopped quickly. The sudden cessation of water causes pressure to build up in the pipe, and when the water stops flowing abruptly, this pressure is converted into a shock wave that travels through the pipe. This is the main cause of the loud noises heard in piping systems, such as the "thud" or "thud" sounds that occur when a pipe valve is closed quickly.