Fixing that loud bang - What is water hammer in plumbing?

If you've ever turned off a faucet and heard a sudden, violent thud echoing through your walls, you've likely wondered what is water hammer in plumbing and whether your pipes are about to burst. It's one of those household noises that can range from a mild annoyance to a "jump out of your skin" kind of shock. Honestly, it sounds like someone is taking a sledgehammer to your copper pipes, which is exactly where the name comes from. While it might seem like just a quirky personality trait of an older house, it's actually a physical phenomenon that can do some real damage if you let it go on for too long. ...

February 25, 2026 · 6 min · Iversen Kat