The pipes of a heating system are sometimes put to the test. When closing a faucet, for example, it happens that they undergo sudden pressure surges called “water hammer”. This overpressure generally causes noise in the pipe but can especially damage your heating installation. In this article, find out why you might need a water hammer stopper and how to install it.
How Do Anti-Ram Work?
The anti-water hammer is sometimes a necessary device when there is a heating installation. Indeed, even if they are quite rare, overpressure phenomena can appear in the pipes and cause significant damage. When opening a valve or tap, the pressure exerted in a pipe is too sudden: this is called a “water hammer”. This rise in pressure is characterized by the emission of a dull noise, alone or repeated, and by more or less significant tremors.
An anti-water hammer for central heating is a small device which, when placed in the right place, can dampen the shock wave during a sudden rise in pressure in the pipes. Its operation may be different depending on whether it is spring or diaphragm.
As its name suggests, the diaphragm anti-ram has a membrane which, by separating the air and gas, reduces the water pressure. The spring anti-ram, on the other hand, works thanks to a piston. Whatever type of anti-water hammer you choose, it is an essential device if you detect pressure problems in your pipes as suggested by belimo actuators.
Why Install An Anti-Water Hammer?
Repeated overpressure not only generates unpleasant noises and tremors but can above all lead to deformation or even rupture of the pipes. And for a good reason: during a water hammer, the water pressure can reach 40 bars (against 4 bars recommended)! In the long term, the hydraulic shock wave can severely damage your heating system.
It is, therefore, better to take the necessary measures quickly to regain optimum operation of your heating system. For this, two solutions are generally recommended: the installation of a pressure reducer or the installation of an anti-water hammer.
The installation of a pressure reducer, intended to prevent overpressures and pressure variations, may be sufficient when water hammers are occasional. On the other hand, in the event of real overpressure problems, opt instead for an anti-water hammer device which will effectively protect your pipes. Provided, of course, to install it in the right place.
Where To Install An Anti-Water Hammer?
When setting up your anti-water hammer device, be very specific about its location. Indeed, the anti-ram does not arise anywhere! For it to be effective, install it near the problematic items and places where water hammer most often occurs. The more precise you are on the location of the anti-water hammer, the better it will be able to absorb the shock waves in the pipes of your heating installation.
