The ways in which y strainers can be customized are seemingly endless when compared with other types of strainers. However, the design of a y strainer must be appropriate for the application for this system to be successful. In order to get the right results, always be sure to know the application you are working with before buying a y strainer.

Of course, not every appliance needs a water hammer arrestor. If the appliance cuts off water gradually enough, the change in momentum is minimal. If you’re not suffering from water hammer, then you don’t need to worry about it.

I spoke with a trio of licensed plumbers to learn what causes water hammering, why it’s a serious issue, and how water hammer arrestors can solve the problem.

Wye strainerpurpose

Perhaps the largest benefit that comes from the y type strainer is its flexibility. It can be installed in a vertical or horizontal position, depending on the users’ preference. While this strainer type is already a cost-effective option, the size of y strainers can be reduced to save even more money. This also prevents using excess materials. Y strainers can be made of a variety of materials. The type of material you choose depends on the industry and application that is used. Any type of end that you might need is available as well. From socket to flanged, there is a y strainer out there with the end you need!

Where the pros disagreed was on how long they typically last. I heard estimates ranging from 5 to 25 years. Why so much variety? Because arrestor lifespan depends on a number of factors.

Personally, when installing an arrestor on older washing machines I like to take a moment to evaluate the shut-off valve itself. If the valve needs to be replaced soon, I’ll upgrade to new valves with integrated arrestors.

Natural gas and air applications also benefit from being used with y strainers. Much like steam applications, natural gas and air environments have high pressure levels. These applications are also expected to put up with high temperatures, something that y strainers can easily endure.

King had one more tip: give some thought to what access you’ll need down the road and install arrestors in areas you’ll be able to access when it’s time for a replacement. And that brings us to our next topic: replacing older arrestors.

Because of the variety of industries and applications where a y strainer can be used, the materials and customization of these strainers must be done on a case-by-case basis. For example, carbon steel does not do well in extremely high temperatures or pressures, so it would be best to find a y strainer made of chrome-moly steel for steam or natural gas applications. Keeping in mind specificities when it comes to applications and industries will help ensure that you get the most from a y strainer.

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If you have any questions or concerns regarding y strainer applications or uses, feel free to contact us anytime at (855) 236-0467!

Water moves through your pipes fast. Turn your kitchen faucet on full blast to get a feel for just how fast it moves. When it’s flowing and then is abruptly shut off, the water’s momentum slams into the end of the pipe, causing it to hammer against the hangers and wooden framing it touches.

3 YStrainer

A water hammer arrestor provides an off-ramp for the water’s momentum, like the emergency off-ramps on mountain highways, where trucks can safely divert if they get too much speed on a steep downward slope.

Calling in a pro will typically run $250 – $500. Shaylin King explains that the price largely depends on the placement within your plumbing system, since an arrestor install sometimes requires opening walls to access the end of pipe runs. In cases like that, where the plumbing is difficult to access or will require drywall removal and repair, the cost can balloon up as high as $1,000.

Depending on the volume, water hammering can be mildly annoying or highly alarming. But the noise is only the symptom. The real issue is that the forces involved can damage the pipes, potentially resulting in breaks and leaks.

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Aaron Adams is a Master Plumber and CEO of Aaron Services: Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, a family-owned company serving the Atlanta Metro area since 1978.

Luckily, water hammer arrestors don’t need to be replaced all that often. “Their lifespan is fairly long considering the forces they encounter,” says Adams. That said, every plumber I spoke to agreed that water hammer arrestors have a limited lifespan.

The y strainer purpose is to remove unwanted particles from steam, gas, or liquid using a straining element typically made of wire mesh. Using this mechanical process in pipelines helps to protect everything from pumps to steam traps. Y strainers are sometimes designed with “blow-off valves” to make the cleaning process easier.

4 Flanged YStrainer

A water hammer arrestor costs from $15 to $50. They’re available online, at home centers, and in hardware stores. Most of the cost of a water hammer arrestor installation is in the labor.

Destry Thompson has been in the plumbing industry for nearly 9 years, and is currently the General Manager of John Stevenson Plumbing.

Shaylin King, a licensed plumber with Mr. Rooter, compares water hammer arrestors to shock absorbers for your plumbing. “While not always necessary,” says King, “especially if your plumbing is properly sized and secured, they’re a smart preventative measure in many homes to protect against sudden pressure surges and potential pipe bursts.”

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You may want to coordinate a water hammer arrestor install with other work. Destry Thompson, of John Stevenson Plumbing, suggests installing them “in conjunction with a thermal expansion tank for your water heater to relieve excess pressure in the plumbing system.”

The result can be a shocking level of rattling and banging, explains master plumber Aaron Adams. “Water hammering is very loud and causes pipes to shake violently. Other times homeowners may hear loud intermittent bangs when they turn water on and off in certain parts of the home.”

Another factor is how frequently the arrestors are used. If your arrestor is on a washing machine supply line, for example, there’s a dramatic difference in wear and tear if you wash a load of laundry every other day compared to once a week.

The most obvious issue that arrestors solve is that annoying water hammer rattle. But that noisy rattle is the side effect of the real problem: water slamming at full speed into the pipe junction. Over time that force can shake pipes loose from hangers, making the noise even worse, or even shake fitting loose can cause leaks.

Mueller Ystrainercatalog pdf

Does your plumbing bang and clang like a truckload of scrap metal? If so, your pipes may be suffering from “water hammer.” The cure for this condition is a water hammer arrestor, an inexpensive device that can often be installed in a single afternoon.

Before you install a water hammer arrestor, determine which faucets or valves in your house cause the noise. Washing machines and dishwashers are prime suspects because their automatic valves close fast.

4'' YStrainer

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“Generally, there is no ‘upside-down’ for a water hammer arrestor,” says Adams. “Arrestors are effective when installed vertically (in either direction), horizontally or at an angle.” But that’s not true of all models, so always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

“Plumbing pipes are not designed to withstand shaking or movement,” explains Adams. And that shaking, over time, can cause connections to come apart, or even wear holes through the pipes.

Water hammer arrestors do wear out over time. Aaron Adams suggests occasionally checking arrestors for leaks at their connections to stay ahead of any problems caused by aging.

This depends on the specific arrestor. Most – but not all! – can be installed in any direction. It’s important to check your specific model’s instructions for the manufacturer’s guidance.

TitanWye Strainer

Wye strainermesh size

When deciding which type of strainer to use, it is important to understand the specific purposes and differences that make a strainer unique. Wye strainers are no exception. While this strainer option is more flexible when compared with basket strainers, the y strainers have a very limited installation. The y type strainer purpose is a specific one and that is exactly what makes them ideal for the applications where they can be used. This means that understanding the y strainer purpose and the applications that benefit from it are the best ways to get the results that you are looking for out of this strainer!

Arrestors have a piston or diaphragm separating the water line from an air-filled chamber. When the water’s momentum is high enough, the piston becomes the path of least resistance. The water pressure pushes the piston into the air on the other side, which compresses, absorbing and dispersing the water’s momentum.

Y strainers are often used in liquid applications. Sand and gravel are two very common types of debris that pose a big threat to liquid applications. When combined with water handling applications, y strainers aid in the protection of equipment that would be otherwise damaged or clogged by various unwanted particles.

Clearly, this is an area where a DIY installation can save a great deal of money. But it’s important to do things right. As Aaron Adams points out, “cutting corners to save dollars in plumbing can lead to nightmares for homeowners.”

The industries where y strainers are best used are those that need constant protection from debris. The most universally common use for a y strainer is in steam applications. Due to its shape, a y strainer has no trouble handling the high pressure that steam applications endure.

This current design is an upgrade over old-school “air chambers” found in older homes. Air chambers were essentially arrestors without the piston. Over time, however, they filled up with water, making them ineffective.

Arrestors are available for every type of pipe. The exact tools you’ll need will depend on what type of pipe you’re working with, and where you’re installing the arrestor. You may need to cut into the pipe, or you may be able to install a threaded connection. They’re typically installed at the end of a water line near the plumbing fixture that’s causing the hammering. If that’s not enough to eliminate the water hammering, Shalyn King suggests installing them at any 90-degree turns.