What is causing my pipe hammer...?

[mykeyj]

Hello.

I'm trying to get to the bottom of an ongoing problem in our flat. We've had pipe hammer for a year or so, and having reduced the mains pressure, I've managed to cure the problem associated with the kitchen and bathroom taps etc. However, we still get a problem when a valve somewhere in the building (I've yet to locate it as i believe it is somewhere under the floorboards of the flat above, and quite difficult to pinpoint were it is coming from) opens and subsequently closes. The problem is it seems to do it at totally random times. I thought it was probably the float valve in the header tank in the loft, but having replace that, the problem remains. The weird thing is having turned everything off in both flats (including the heating), and waiting for an hour or so (so the system has fully refilled), this valve (wherever it is) decides to open and close a few times (usually about 3-4 times within about 2 mins). It will then stop, before doing the same thing about an hour later.

So my question is not so much how to fix the pipe hammer, but more does anyone know why some mystery valve is trying to open and close when as far as i can tell there is no demand?

Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

[sas]

Defective float valve and tap washers on cold taps can cause water hammer, so it can be cured through regular meintenance of the valve or taps...

 

[Puddle]

worth checking to see if anyone has a faulty push button syphon that is sticking,if ball valve filling quickly ,can cause banging as sticksopen then closes
trouble is as you have found sound can travel so far down the pipework

 

[WHPES]

Install a sioux chief water hammer arrestor.