Home Inspection State Practice Exam

What can cause water hammer in a plumbing system?

1. A lack of air chambers

2. Too many closed valves

3. Excessive water pressure

4. Faulty water meter

The correct answer is: A lack of air chambers

Water hammer is a phenomenon that occurs in plumbing systems when a sudden change in water flow results in pressure waves causing pipes to bang or clank against each other or their supports. The correct answer highlights the significance of air chambers in mitigating this issue. Air chambers are designed to absorb the shock of moving water when a faucet or valve is closed quickly. If there is a lack of air chambers in the plumbing system, there’s nothing to cushion the momentum of the water, leading to high-pressure surges and the characteristic banging sound associated with water hammer. The absence of these crucial components allows for increased shock waves within the plumbing, contributing directly to the occurrence of water hammer. Other contributing factors like excessive water pressure can indeed exacerbate the problem, but they do not directly cause water hammer by themselves without the context of air chambers and their intended function. Similarly, closed valves may restrict flow but wouldn’t isolate or create the necessary conditions for water hammer without a shock absorbent like an air chamber. A faulty water meter does not play a role in directly inducing water hammer, as it is primarily a measure of water flow rather than a factor influencing sudden changes in pressure due to flow stoppage. Overall, understanding that the lack of air chambers is central to the phenomenon