• Water hammer is a potentially dangerous occurrence in pipe systems carrying liquids or pressurized gases. It is caused by valves in these systems shutting suddenly and a subsequent build-up of pressure behind the valve, causing pipes to buckle and burst. There are ways to fix the problem, from electronic add-ons to simple additions to existing pipelines. With proper adjustment, water hammer can be prevented long before it happens.
  
  

Hydropneumatic Devices

• These devices, commonly referred to as "water hammer preventors," control the pressure of water behind a valve system by supplying a chamber with enough room to accommodate the pressure. It is placed right before the valve that closes quickly or it is placed right after the discharge pump in order to cut down on initial surge pressure. The devices are used to prevent what's known as an "implosion bang" by creating a vacuum that pulls the liquid back toward the pump if the pump is prompted to shut suddenly.
  
  

Water Towers and Air Vessels

• Water towers are used in most drinking-water systems and work to manage pressure flow and mitigate pressure fluctuations by sitting at height. That is why water towers are built so high, so that they use the force of gravity to self-pressurize. Some towers are built to service entire communities, although in bigger cities like New York and Chicago there are buildings that use their own water towers. Air vessels work much in the same way as water towers, though they are self-pressurized. They function with a bladder of air above the water level to control the force with which water flows through the tank and pipes.
  
  

Pipe Length and Direction

• Apart from the installation of devices to manage water pressure, the simplest solution to alleviate water hammer is to alter the length and direction of existing water pipes. Add elbow connections and loops to reduce the length of straight pipe in the water system, which will reduce the speed of the liquid flowing through, thereby reducing the likelihood of water hammer.