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How much should washing machine taps be turned on?

Hey guys,

might be a stupid question but I have an issue with laundry taps. Plumber came and changed washers etc I keep taps on at the wall at all times but I’ve noticed that I’m getting air pockets and banging on other taps because of the washing machine taps. Not sure if this is pressure related.

so the question is, how far should the taps be turned on? I assume the plumber changed this and could be the cause? I currently have them turned 4 times each.

thank you.

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JDE

Hi how long has it been since the plumber was there? Its not unusual to get some air pockets immediately after a plumbing job. Running a couple of taps should have flushed them out and each tap should only have this problem the first-time it is used after the visit. Sometimes hammering can be because of the pipes in the wall not being held tight or tight corners there is little you can do about that directly. I noticed that you have had hammering problems before. Have you considered fitting a hammer arrestor not guaranteed to solve problem. Personally I have had some success using these. It stopped the problem with my dishwasher. You can get them at Bunnings they come in different sizes. From memory they are a special order and there is one that screws in between the tap and inlet hose so you wouldn't need the plumber back. Or you could fit a bigger central one - probably a plumber job. JDE

MitchellMc

Hi @Newgreenthumb,

It's great to see that @JDE has already provided some helpful assistance.

I presume your other water hammer issues were resolved before this new occurrence? If they were, I'd give the plumber a quick call and let them know you are experiencing this issue after they attended the property and ask them for advice.

If these issues are a continuation of the original problem, I'd recommend you follow the advice provided in your previous discussion and have a plumber assess the issue. Either way, it would be best to give the plumber a call, as they would be familiar with the property and any adjustments they might have made.

Mitchell

Newgreenthumb

@MitchellMc @JDE

thanks for the replies.

unfortunately the plumber hasn’t been overly helpful and I’m disappointed with each visit a call out fee is charged without much success.
I dint have water hammer, it’s air pockets which is what I was told as my issue only when happens when water is turned on, not off.
turning the taps off at the wall for washing machine seems to be help but when turned back on the air pockets start again. Only when turning on.

MitchellMc

@Newgreenthumb,

Trapped air in your pipes manifests typically as sputtering out of taps, inconsistent water flow and vibration through the pipes. You need to try and push the air out by turning every tap on simultaneously, including the shower/bath/toilets and putting your washing machine on a rinse cycle. Please start with the closest tap/appliance to the mains valve and work away from it. Let this water flow until there is no more sputtering at the taps and normal flow is restored. To turn the water back off, start at the furthest tap/appliance away from the mains valve and turn everything off again.

If this fails, you might have water-hammer issues, as indicated by the banging noise you're hearing. In that case, you'll need to have a plumber assess the situation and install water-hammer arrestors. This could be a case of both water hammer and air pockets.

You might like to employ the services of a plumber that is willing to fix the issue and not just come out for a call-out. There will likely be a significant cost associated with this, and you should request a quote in writing on the fee to resolve all the issues.

Mitchell

Noyade

I had trouble with 'hammering' on a bath hot water tap.

Tried all those anti-hammer washers - no help at all.

I finally had success with this style. Dunno why - must be related somehow to hydrodynamics, how the water passes past the washer - turbulence, bruit?

EricL

Hello @Newgreenthumb

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Noyade, @MitchellMc and @JDE. Just to add to the suggestions made, I believe the cause of your hammering issue is the solenoid from the washing machine. The solenoid is an electronically controlled shut off valve that operates with lightning precision. That sudden stop of water creates a pressure wave inside your plumbing causing a loud knocking or hammering sound.

In order to counteract that pressure wave, there must be a chamber where the pressure can be absorbed. I suggest installing a Sioux Chief Water Hammer Arrestor. This device is specifically created to absorb and dissipate the pressure wave inside your plumbing, thereby preventing leaks and costly repairs to your plumbing.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Newgreenthumb

@JDE

thank you. He was here around one month ago. The issue now happens with my kitchen sink tap which didn’t happen before from memory. I now feel like pressure has been changed, so when tuning the rap on it is slow to release the water and then too much comes out. I’ll have a look at the suggestions thank you

Newgreenthumb

@MitchellMc thank you.

im happy to call another plumber, the one I used charges a call out fee and says what he did. Last time is was fine so I’m kind of stuck. Something has definitely changed as my kitchen sink tap pressure is just off.

I did try as you suggested but unfortunately I cou don’t turn the washing machine Taos off as the rinse goes for 30min, but spin is one minute so I’ll try that, it’s very frustrating issue.

Newgreenthumb

@Noyade @Thank you.

yes I’ve noticed now the pressure on some Taos are different since the plumber was here. It’s a slower pressure then high. Thanks for showing me the photo. I’ll definitely look into it.

Newgreenthumb

@EricL Thank you.

this could be the cause as I had no issues previously,y washing machine was installed (new one )

So even when the washing machine isn’t on, it could still be the cause if the rest of the Taps?

thank you

EricL

Hello @Newgreenthumb

It comes down to a matter of eliminating the possible causes. If the washing machine is off and you still have knocking in your plumbing odds are the jumper valves you are using need to be replaced. If knocking only occurs when the washing machine is on then it will be the solenoid valve that's causing the knocking. You'll therefore need to install the Sioux Chief Water Hammer Arrestor.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Newgreenthumb

@MitchellMc

I tried your method again and unfortunately now I have no water coming through the taps at all. I’ve spoke with greater western water and am having a problem with anyone coming out for a few days, I e called so many plumbers. Any tips on why this may be happening. Thank you

EricL

Hello @Newgreenthumb

This is a different symptom altogether. I suggest turning all your taps off and proceeding to the water meter. Have a quick look and see if it is still indicating that there is pressure in the plumbing line. I propose testing your garden tap and seeing if anything flows out. If water is still in the garden line there should be some flowing into the house. Does your toilet cistern still fill with water after flushing? These are some of the indicators that water is still running in the house

The only reason I can think of for water to stop flowing in your house is the main switch near your water meter has been turned off or there is a major leak in your plumbing that's diverting the water. Look around for any large puddles in your garden or entrance area. Are there any wet spots on your ceiling? I suggest asking your neighbours if they still have runnings water. If the same condition is present in your neighbours it must be a large water outage and not just your house.

Let me tag our experienced members @MikeTNZ and @Noyade for their recommendations.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to hearing that water has been restored to your house.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

MitchellMc

How are you going with the water situation @Newgreenthumb?

It sounds suspiciously like the mains tap hasn't been turned back on again. I can't think of any other reason for there being no water in the house other than the main valve being partly or fully shut. Is the tap handle free-spinning and can you turn it several revolutions to the left and then right again? Although unlikely, the tap valve could have become stuck and even though you're turning the handle it won't open the valve.

Please keep us updated as we'll be keen to hear that you've resolved this situation.

Mitchell

Noyade

"I have no water coming through the taps at all"

Every tap in the house?

Just the laundry taps?

Both hot and cold water?

I have had something like this - but it was only the hot water taps which turned out to be a faulty one-way valve near the gas hot water heater.

I'm sorry everything is going so wrong for you.

Newgreenthumb

@Noyade thanj you.
yea it’s annoying lol

Newgreenthumb

Ok all good. Forgot to reply last night @MitchellMc

nit sure why it wouldn’t release water. I kept trying and it would turn but no water. I have the nozzle / handle that’s round and turns anti clockwise to turn on. I think when turning I pressed down and it did something to the tap to not have water come out.

All good on the end. Can’t believe plumbers were busy until next week.

my change my laundry taps and see this changes anything then I’ll all another one out.

thanks for everyone’s help.

EricL

Hi @Newgreenthumb

I'm glad to hear you got it all sorted out.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to hearing that you've sorted out your hammering issue.

If you need assistance with any other D.I.Y projects, please let us know.

Eric

Noyade

"Can’t believe plumbers were busy until next week."

I can easily believe that - even in a regional setting!

Glad ya got it sorted out! 👍

Newgreenthumb

Hey guys, me again lol

i wanted to reach out and say thanks fir everyone’s help.

I had another 🙄 issue and called a plumber. The hot water was such low pressure on all taps. It was still having hot water just pressure really low and took a while to heat up.

Plumber came out and replaced the temp valve and this looks to have settled the water hammering issue. It’s only been two days but I thought it was interesting and maybe can help someone else.

MitchellMc

That's great to hear, @Newgreenthumb and many thanks for coming back with the additional information. Please keep us updated in case any other unusual activity arises.

Mitchell

Newgreenthumb

Hello,

I’ve posted a few times about a water hammer issue. Finally resolved! However, I needed a new hot water system as mine died. Plumber came and installed the new one and have water again, great!

however, now when the toilet is flushed, at the end of its cycle, I hear a loud thump or two, on the other side of the house in the laundry area.

also, turning on the cold water in bathroom, there is a bang / open sound I hear in the laundry also. These were not happening before the new hot water system. I let the plumber know but he says that’s fine and brushed it off.

TedBear

That sounds like an annoying problem @Newgreenthumb .

Did the new hws require altering the pipes in the laundry area? I am wondering if there is a pipe anchoring point that has been removed or loosened, allowing the pipes to clunk where they turn a corner. Another possibility is that the plumber has turned the water on at the main tap further than it was before. Is there a pressure regulator fitted? Yet another possibility is that there is now air in the pipes that needs flushing out. Toilet cisterns are not great for flushing out air because they fill slowly.

MitchellMc

Hi @Newgreenthumb,

Although you are hearing noises in different areas of the house, this all sounds like a continuation of the issues you were experiencing earlier. I'd encourage you to follow the advice provided in this discussion and look to install water hammer arrestors in your property. If you're turning something on or off and you hear a noise elsewhere or at that tap location, it's because of surging waves travelling through your pipes. Water hammer arrestors are like springs that absorb those shock waves and prevent them from slamming into the end of the pipes and creating noise.

As @TedBear has mentioned, since you've had the hot water heater installed, you must also check for that trapped air again.

Mitchell

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