Recently, I replaced a kitchen faucet and added shut off valves leading to the faucet.
Since then, we've had water hammering sounds when we turn off the faucets in the house, not just when we use that new faucet. We used to have an occassional water hammer sound when using the faucets before, but not as frequent as now.
I've drained the water lines and made sure there is air in the pipes, but that hasn't gotten rid of the water hammer sound. Not sure if that would matter anyway becauses I can't find any short stretches of vertical capped pipe in the house that is generally installed to provide an air cushion for the water, to prevent water hammering sounds. (Our house is about 20 years old.)
I've also reduced the water hammer sound by closing the main water valve a bit to lower the incoming water pressure. Problem is, to reduce the water hammering, I have to restrict the incoming water flow too much, and then we don't have adequate water pressure in our faucets or shower.
I've heard that if a shut off valve -- like the new one I just installed below the new faucet -- has a bad washer in it, that can cause water hammering. But because this water hammering happens when we use other faucets too, I didn't think the shut off valve below the new faucet could be causing this water hammering. Is that right? Or can a shut off valve with a bad washer cause water hammering sounds when multiple faucets are turnedoff?
Is there a way to test the new shut off valve? For instance, if I close the valve completely, and the water hammer no longer occurs, then it would likely be the shut off valve causing the problem right? Or would a shut-off valve with a bad washer still cause water hammering even when it is completely closed?
I know you can buy and install water hammer arrestors to get rid of water hammering, but since this wasn't a major problem before I installed the new faucet and shut off valves, I'm thinking that installing water hammer arrestors would be overkill ... and a lot of unnecessary work.
Any advice would be appreciated!