How to Stop Water Hammer (and Make Your Laundry Room a Whole Lot Quieter)

A simple device can put an end to all that clanging and banging

By Consumer Reports

Published March 8, 2016·Updated November 8, 2021

person with fingers in ears to block noise from washing machine behind them

Some washing machines are noisy, and you learn to live with it. We find there’s a huge range in the machines we evaluate in the lab, but even the noisiest machines might not bother you if your laundry room is located in the basement or otherwise far enough away from your living spaces.

But when the pipes connected to your washer shake and rattle, it’s a disturbance you can’t easily tune out—no matter where your machine is located. That rattling sound is called water hammer, and Consumer Reports has a fix.

Fast-closing washer valves cause water hammer. And when water hammer gets bad, it can actually damage your washing machine’s pipes or the fixtures attached to the pipes.

Sioux Chief Mini-Rester 660-HB Water Hammer Arrester

If you’re shopping for a new washing machine, start with our washing machine buying guide, or look for the best machine that fits your needs, starting with our round-up of the best washing machines from our extensive lab tests.