What is a common cause of water hammer in plumbing systems?

A common cause of water hammer in plumbing systems is indeed the sudden changes in water flow that create shock waves. Water hammer occurs when there is an abrupt stop or change in the velocity of water within the pipes, typically caused by quickly closing valves or faucets. This sudden interruption produces a pressure surge, leading to the characteristic banging noise often associated with water hammer.

When water is moving at high speed and encounters an obstruction or a rapid change, it cannot stop immediately. Instead, it creates a pressure wave that propagates back through the plumbing system, resulting in vibration and noise. This phenomenon can cause damage over time if not properly managed, manifesting as loose fittings or even ruptured pipes.

Other options may contribute to problems within plumbing systems, but they do not specifically cause water hammer. For instance, continuous water flow into storage tanks does not create the dynamic pressures associated with water hammer; instead, it is a function of normal operational pressure management. Malfunctioning filtration systems and improperly sized pipes can lead to inefficiencies and other plumbing issues, but they are not direct causes of the shock wave effect that defines water hammer.