Water Hammer & Noisy Pipe Repairs
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas, trusted since 1985
Banging, knocking or shuddering pipes fixed by licensed plumbers, with pressure limiting valves, water hammer arrestors and re-clipped pipes. We agree a firm price before we pick up the tools, and there’s no call-out fee during business hours.
- 1Tell us what needs doing
- 2Pick a day and time that suits
- 3We confirm and send a licensed Tap Doctor plumber
- 4Job done, problem solved
- Trusted since 1985
- Fully Licensed & Insured
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Locally Based Plumbers
- ★★★★★2,000+ Google reviews
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers, fully insured
- Pressure limiting valves and arrestors
- Phones answered 24/7
Pipes banging? What to check first
Water hammer is rarely an emergency, but it is a warning. Each bang is a pressure spike through your pipes, and left alone it can loosen joints and cause leaks. A few quick checks help us find the cause faster.
What to note before you call
- When it happens: when a tap is turned off, when the washing machine or dishwasher fills, or all the time.
- Where it happens: one tap or appliance, or the whole house.
- In the meantime: turn taps and flick mixers off slowly.
- If you see water leaking from a wall, ceiling or pipe, turn the water off at the stop tap by the meter and call 1300-655-827.
Signs of water hammer or high pressure
- A bang or thud when a tap is turned off
- Knocking when the washing machine or dishwasher fills
- Pipes rattling or shuddering inside the walls
- Squealing or groaning from the pipes when water runs
- Taps and toilets that start leaking again soon after a repair
- A hot water relief valve that drips all the time
How we fix water hammer
We find the cause first: we measure your water pressure, listen for where the noise starts and check the pipes we can get to. These are the fixes we make most.
Pressure limiting valves More →
When mains pressure is too high (over 500 kPa is the usual limit inside a home), we fit a pressure limiting valve after the meter so every tap and appliance gets a safe pressure. High pressure is one of the most common causes of water hammer, and of taps and toilets that keep leaking.
Water hammer arrestors
A small cushioned device fitted close to the tap, washing machine or dishwasher causing the bang. It absorbs the shock when the water stops, so the pipes don’t.
Loose pipes re-clipped
Pipes that move and knock inside walls, under floors or in the roof are re-clipped, packed or sleeved so they can’t bang against the framing.
Washing machines and dishwashers More →
Fast-closing inlet valves on washing machines and dishwashers are a common cause of a bang every time they fill. An arrestor on the appliance tap usually stops it.
Worn tap washers and jumper valves More →
A worn washer or loose jumper valve can chatter, groan or hammer while the tap is running. We replace the worn parts and check the tap shuts off cleanly.
Leaks caused by water hammer More →
Repeated pressure spikes can split joints and fittings. If hammer has already caused a leak, we find it and repair it, including copper pipe repairs.
Recent water hammer and pressure jobs
Short videos from recent Tap Doctor jobs: banging pipes fixed, high water pressure found and pressure limiting valves fitted.
Tap banging the pipes: water hammer fixedCalista
Shower taps leaking: water pressure too highSeville Grove
Water leak near the meter: 2 leaks fixed and a pressure limiting valve fittedRivervale
Hidden leak found with leak detection, pressure limiting valve fittedVictoria Park
Why people call Tap Doctor for water hammer
Water hammer has more than one cause, so the fix has to match. This is how we handle every water hammer job.
We find the cause first
Pressure measured, noise traced, pipes checked. You get the fix that stops the bang, not a guess.
A firm price before any work starts
Your plumber explains what’s causing the noise and gives you a firm price. Nothing starts until you agree.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look. If you decide not to go ahead, you owe nothing during business hours.
We call ahead and arrive on time
We confirm your booking, then call before we arrive so you’re not waiting at home all day.
Licensed plumbers
Pressure limiting valves, arrestors and pipe work are fitted by licensed plumbers.
Pay when the job is done
Cash, card or Osko bank transfer, collected when the work is finished.
How pricing works
What does it cost to fix water hammer? It depends on the cause. An arrestor on one appliance tap is a different job to a pressure limiting valve or re-clipping pipes in a roof. Instead of guessing, a licensed plumber finds the cause first and gives you a firm price. There’s no call-out fee during business hours, no obligation, and the price is agreed before any work starts.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look during business hours.
Firm price agreed on site
Your plumber looks at the job and gives you a firm price before any work starts.
No obligation
If you decide not to go ahead, there’s nothing to pay during business hours.
Further work quoted first
If we find something else that needs fixing, we quote it and wait for your go-ahead before doing it.
Pay on completion
Cash, credit or debit card, or bank transfer with Osko, collected when the job is done.
After hours
After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
How to choose a plumber for water hammer
Whoever you call, these are the checks worth making. Here’s how we measure up against each one.
What customers say about our water hammer work
“Nathan did a great job fixing our water hammer problem.”
“He arrived on time and exemplified an extremely positive and professional manner. He was patient in identifying and locating the issue (water hammer) and once the issue was identified was extremely efficient in have it rectified. Could not recommend him more.”
“Had Mark out last week to fix some water hammer and leaking taps and a leaking toilet. He went around and checked out the problems and gave us a up front quote, which was very well priced. Thanks Mark, the taps and toilet are fixed and the water hammer has gone!!!”
“I can only reiterate other reviews " Dr Mark" quickly diagnosed the water hammer problem and prescribed a remedy. Very happy !”
“Same day service for urgent pressure valve replacement. Friendly and prompt. Thank you”
“Was able to get pressure reduction valve fixed first job in the morning on 2nd business day after booking, all done in c. 40mins”
Local plumbers, since 1985
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas has been doing plumbing and gas work since 1985. Our plumbers live and work in the areas they cover, so there’s usually someone close by, and our phones are answered 24/7.
Customers mention our plumbers by name in their reviews, from Mitch and Nathan to Chris and Charlie.
- Perth
- Plumbers in Perth →
- Mandurah
- Plumbers in Mandurah →
- Canberra
- Plumbers in Canberra →
- Gladstone
- Plumbers in Gladstone →
- Phone
- 1300-655-827, 24/7
Water hammer FAQs
What causes water hammer?
Water hammer is the bang you hear when fast-moving water is stopped suddenly, usually by a flick mixer, a washing machine or a dishwasher closing its valve. High water pressure makes it worse, and loose pipes turn the shock into knocking inside the walls. Worn tap washers and jumper valves can also make pipes chatter or groan.
Is water hammer dangerous?
Not straight away, but it shouldn’t be ignored. Every bang is a pressure spike through your pipes, and over time it can loosen joints, wear out taps and appliance hoses, and lead to leaks or a burst pipe inside a wall.
What water pressure is too high?
Inside a home, over 500 kPa is the usual limit in Australia. Pressure above that wears out tap washers, toilet valves and appliance hoses faster and makes water hammer more likely. We measure your pressure with a gauge before recommending a fix.
What does a pressure limiting valve do?
A pressure limiting valve (PLV, sometimes called a pressure reducing valve) is fitted on the water line after the meter. It brings mains pressure down to a safe level for the whole house, which often stops water hammer and helps taps and toilets last longer.
What is a water hammer arrestor?
A small device with a cushion of air or a sealed piston, fitted close to the tap or appliance that causes the bang. When the water stops suddenly, the arrestor absorbs the shock instead of the pipes.
Why do my pipes bang when the washing machine fills?
Washing machines and dishwashers open and close their inlet valves very quickly, and each stop sends a shock back through the pipes. An arrestor on the appliance tap usually fixes it, and if the house pressure is high a pressure limiting valve helps too.
Can I fix water hammer myself?
Turning taps off more slowly helps while you wait. Fitting a pressure limiting valve or an arrestor, or re-clipping pipes in walls and roofs, is work for a licensed plumber.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
Water hammer has several possible causes, so we don’t guess. A licensed plumber finds the cause first and gives you a firm price before any work starts, with no call-out fee during business hours and no obligation.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
Not during business hours. You only pay for the work you agree to. After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
Are your plumbers licensed and insured?
Yes. Water hammer repairs are done by licensed plumbers, and Tap Doctor is fully licensed and insured.
Pipes banging?
Book online in under 2 minutes, or call us any time.