What is the recommended response to water hammer?

• A. Ignore it and continue at current pressure.
• B. Relieve pressure, identify cause, then re-pressurize gradually.
• C. Increase pressure until it stops.
• D. Reduce line length to minimize impact.

Answer: (B)

Water hammer is a sudden pressure surge created when water in a line is stopped or its flow is changed abruptly. It can stress hoses, fittings, and pumps, leading to leaks or bursts. The recommended response is to relieve the pressure in the line, identify the cause of the surge, and then re-pressurize the system gradually. Relieving pressure quickly stops the shock wave and protects equipment. As you do that, look for the cause—things like closing a valve too quickly, stopping a pump abruptly, a clogged section, or trapped air in the line. After the issue is resolved, bring the system back up to pressure slowly by easing valves open and gradually ramping pump speed, watching gauges to avoid another surge. This approach not only handles the immediate danger but also reduces the likelihood of repeat incidents. The other options would either ignore the problem, worsen the shock by increasing pressure, or aren’t effective ways to manage the surge.