• Pipes that rattle violently may eventually burst.plumbing image by Inger Anne Hulb?|kdal from Fotolia.com
  
  Banging pipes can be worse than simply annoying. If you allow pipes to continuously rattle, they may eventually break. This could lead to rather extensive water damage as well as expensive plumbing bills. Determining and repairing the cause of banging pipes before they burst is a much easier and cheaper way of rectifying plumbing issues.
  
  

Water Hammer

• Water hammer occurs when pipes rattle due to a sudden drop in water movement through the pipes. Water passes through the plumbing as a solid continuous column. When the well pump shuts off, the water stops. This sudden loss of momentum causes the pipes to rattle. When water hammer occurs, you will typically hear one loud bang followed by progressively softer bangs until the sound fades. High water pressure or plumbing that is too small in diameter will increase the severity of water hammer.
  
  

Reverse Water Hammer

• Like water hammer, a sudden drastic change in the momentum of water running through the pipes causes reverse water hammer. The difference is that a sudden increase in water pressure causes reverse water hammer. The sound will be the same, one loud bang followed by successively softer bangs until the rattling stops. Reverse water hammer may be due to inadequate water flow, and you can fix it by installing a larger diameter pipe or a pressure tank to help boost the water pressure through the line.
  
  

Interrupted Flow Rates

• Interrupted or erratic water flow may cause pipes to bang. This will produce a constant rattling that does not fade over time, but persists for as long as water is pumped through the line. Loose debris in the water lines causes interrupted flow rates. This could consist of settlement, mineral deposits or a loose washer in a valve or fitting. Water flow is irregular as it is forced to flow over or around the debris and will subsequently cause turbulence in the water flow. This causes the pipes to shake. If the rattling occurs in the hot water line, check the water temperature. Water that is excessively hot may cause rubber gaskets or o-rings to swell, thereby obstructing water flow. Turning the temperature on the hot water down to a more reasonable level may alleviate the problem.