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A good repeat customer of mine contacted me this week in regards to their new LG front loader washing machine they installed in their laundry room. The problem they was having was water hammer when water is spritz through the cycle process during the operation of the unit.

Our very first task at the home was testing the water pressure, and examine to make sure the thermal expansion tank wasn't defective. Years ago we installed both a pressure reducing valve along with a large thermal expansion tank to cover the 80 gallon electric water heater we installed for thermal expansion rates.

Both checked out fine, we also noticed the piping leading to the laundry room was not properly attached and was allowing some movement. The movement however didn't amount to much. Read more...

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When we went upstairs to see how the sound was originating from the washing machine, it seemed to be directly localized right in the immediate area. This new sound which is a serious nuisance to the customer now is travelling through the home, like the sound is right in their kitchen.

Since there is no possible way to control how the water is introduced into the cycles of the wash load, we are going to try and experiment with water hammer arrestors. These are screw-on type devices that have air chambers that are designed with a piston that dampens hard jolts in the potable water supply.

We hope this helps with the situation, but keep in mind the way the water enters the washing machine is by a solenoid actuated control valve for the water. This is a positive on, positive off design, much like a solenoid valve on an icemaker to a fridgerator or the dishwasher. Humidifiers on furnaces, even though they are of a smaller size have the same exact "fast closing" design.

We'll follow up with this issue and let the viewing public know if this resolves or helps greatly reduce the issue.

Here are the devices we plan on adding to the washing machine's supply valves:

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Tags: washing machine  front loader washing machine  water hammer issues water hammer water hammer arrestors minirestor