Not enough space for water shut-off valves or hammer arrestors
The only visible section of a main water line in a garage often lacks the physical clearance to fit an automatic shut-off valve or actuator. Water hammer arrestors present a similar issue when they do not fit on the supply line behind a machine. This lack of space leaves people wondering if they can install components directly on the appliance to avoid disturbing connected gas lines and having to re-level their equipment.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Calling a plumber to install it or finding an actuator model that mounts directly on top of an existing ball valve without requiring major pipe removal.Did this help you?
- 2Installing the arrestors directly on the appliance instead of the supply valves.Did this help you?
- 3Skipping the arrestors entirely if there is no audible pipe clanking.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“how worthwhile are water hammer arrestors if we haven’t noticed any clanky pipes?”source ↗
“Can I install them on the appliance instead of the supply, if they don’t fit on the supply?”source ↗
“The problem is that one of the the water hammer arrestors doesn’t fit behind the machine.”source ↗
“I’m nervous about moving the machine and the drier, which is hooked to a gas line, and having to re-balance and level besides.”source ↗
“This is the only visible area I can see in my garage where the main water line is. Not sure if I have enough space to install a water shut-off valve or an actuator.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 9No room to fit a plumbing vent in tight spaces
- 5Will a standard P-trap fit with a 5" vertical clearance?
- 4How to fit water supply lines in a tight bathroom vanity
- 2Will twisting a trap cause toilet water to clog my shower?
- 4How to tighten nuts in tight spaces where a wrench won't fit
- 2How to run drain lines without tearing out the wall