Had a similar call recently—client thought it was just water hammer too, but turned out their pressure regulator was shot. Arrestors help symptoms, but always worth checking your main pressure valve if noises persist... could save you from bigger headaches down the road.
Good call on the pressure regulator—seen that plenty myself. Another quick check: pop a gauge onto an outdoor spigot and see if your pressure's creeping above 80 psi... anything higher usually means trouble brewing with the PRV. Better safe than flooded basement, right?
Good tip on checking the outdoor spigot pressure, though I'd argue that 80 psi might be pushing it a bit. From an eco-friendly standpoint (and to keep your fixtures lasting longer), I typically recommend homeowners aim closer to 60 psi. Higher pressures—even below 80—can still cause unnecessary wear and lead to subtle leaks over time, wasting water and energy. Plus, slightly lower pressure helps reduce stress on appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, extending their lifespan.
One other thing I've noticed: sometimes pressure creep isn't just about the PRV going bad. Thermal expansion from your water heater can also bump up pressure temporarily, especially if there's no expansion tank installed or it's malfunctioning. Had a neighbor who kept replacing PRVs until he finally realized the issue was thermal expansion all along... talk about frustrating.
Great points about thermal expansion—seen that happen a few times myself. Curious though, anyone here had issues with noisy pipes even at lower pressures like 50-60 psi? I've run into that occasionally, and it always puzzles me...
I've definitely encountered noisy pipes even at moderate pressures. Sometimes it's not just about pressure—could be air trapped in the lines or loose fittings causing vibrations. Had a client last month whose pipes rattled like crazy at just 55 psi; turned out the clamps securing the pipes had loosened over time. Secured them properly, and the noise stopped altogether. Have you checked if your pipe supports might've shifted or loosened recently?