Making loud thudding noises at the beginning of the cycle When the water is filling (which I believe happens in spurts and not a continuous stream), it makes a loud thudding noise in the walls when the water cuts on and off. Is that normal? I live in a condo.

Question

Jeff · Accepted Answer

After weeks of dealing with LG, the Geek Squad and the store I purchased the washer from. the problem is from the stainless steel hoses Best Buy requires to purchase even though LG supplies them with the washer. LG recommends only using their rubber hoses.

Answered by Jeff 9 years ago

LG Digital Customer Care · Answer

The banging or thudding noises that you hear when your LG - TurboWash 4.3 Cu. Ft. 12-Cycle High-Efficiency Steam Front-Loading Washer, Model # WM3570HWA is filling with water are referred to as "Water Hammer" which happens because water flow starts and stops suddenly as the washing machine runs through its cycle and the water valves open and close. Lowering the pressure in the pipes is an easy way to reduce or eliminate water hammer. If one or both of the pipes supplying the washing machine has a shutoff valve, you may be able to curtail the banging by partially closing it. The reduced water flow will cause the washer to fill more slowly, however, and increase the time for a wash cycle. Your other option would be to have a plumber install water hammer arrestors in each of the supply pipes for the washing machine...^IFV

Answered by LG Digital Customer Care 10 years ago

CTMOM · Answer

try adding a "hammer arrester" to each water pipe connection (we had someone do it, but I think you can find them at home improvement stores) - that helped quiet down our last LG washer.

stevthur · Answer

Ours does the same thing...my guess is this is because the LG is sensing/measuring the water amounts for efficiency .

THes · Answer

Our new washer does the same thing and we also live in a condo. The hoses pulse during the water fill.

tombo · Answer

It is a water hammer effect. I purchased two water hammer arrestors and inserted them between the washer and the new steel hoses. My arrestors worked well. If your water pressure is too high make sure you get an arrestor built for it. My pressure was rated at less than 70 pounds and it works fine. They are not that expensive. Got mine from Amaz--.

Answered by tombo 10 years ago

68Debbie · Answer

Yes. It happens to me also in my condo. My husband is going to get his brother to balance it or something to eliminate that noise.

Mary · Answer

I have the same thing. I thought it was the water pressure. At least that's what geek squad said. Might need to call again since there's someone else with same problem.

BEBE · Answer

Mine does this as well.

eurodudenj · Answer

Lots of incorrect answers; this is NOT water hammer. 
I have an LG washer too and it does the same thing, BY DESIGN.
One person said it correctly. The machine is STOPPING the water supply and then STARTING and does this in REGULAR intervals, or spurts as OP and I refer to them. 
The water is filling in BURSTS.

Water hammer is different and is due to water pressure. That is easy to tell because you hear the water pipes knocking due to water pressure. For that you indeed need arrestors.

“Making loud thudding noises at the beginning of the cycle When the water is filling (which I believe happens in spurts and not a continuous stream), it makes a loud thudding noise in the walls when the water cuts on and off. Is that normal? I live in a condo.”

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