Water hammer is a banging/knocking noise that occurs in the household supply plumbing due to sudden pressure changes when the machine's water valves pulse rapidly on/off. Pipes often physically shudder, which can cause damage and loosen pipes that are anchored to studs inside the wall. Two examples of water hammer noise.

LG Water Hammer

LG Banging Fill

I've seen these advertised and they look interesting. The cool thing is that they're supposedly compatible with recent LG machines.

I think my LG lets me add 3 extra rinses and I always use at least one since it's so stingy with water

The water hammer is the banging of pipes you get during the fill. Mine will spray high pressure water into the detergent tray for a half second or so, wait a second, then repeat for the first part of the fill. The sudden stop of a high flow fill causes a shockwave through the pipes. They literally knocked the pipes off my basement wall.

I think they do this to help with dissolving the detergent (which I must admit that I have never had undissolved detergent in the cup) I imagine if they did a constant high pressure fill that it would overflow out of the cups. Other manufacturers seem to do a constant fill with a reduced flow. I installed two arrestors on the back of the machine and it took care of 90+% of it. Honestly, LG needs to build these into the machine if they want to continue their fill method. They of course deny it's an issue, but every site I've seen reviews has at least a few mentions of it. Otherwise, I'm pleased.

I've heard mention somewhere that sometimes the water hammer isn't heard, but shaking just enough to cause some damage that wasn't known until afterwards..so look at the pipes as its filling.

I seen a question on AW that I chuckled about..why is there a window in the pedestal washer when it won't operate until its pushed in...also I hope your keeping the pedestal open when not in use.

"Not like people sit and watch their laundry."

You must be new here. ;)

Do you know what the temp is on hot?

Not watch the laundry? Of course we watch, were not crazy, you don't watch yours? Heck some of us with TL'ers have rigged our machines just so we can watch all the action. Geesh, what a silly statement, not watch indeed. LOL. No window would be a deal breaker for lots of folks.

if I was buying a FL I'd for sure ask what the water usage is.

For hot temp, no idea. How do I test that? Pause cycle and check temp? At which point in cycle? I've asked manufacturers about water temps before purchasing in the past, you get a different answer from each CSR that responds to you. They have no clue and won't send the question to someone who does have a clue.

Also, I didn't answer why I gave up my Lux. The short answer is that the washer was replaced under extended warranty (not performance or wash related) and the colour I had is no longer made so my washer and dryer will no longer match. So the replacement Lux is getting delivered to my mom's house instead. And I took the opportunity to get this LG dual machine set as with all our dance and yoga gear and occasional small loads from a kid who dumped something on a shirt, I can get more laundry done in less time. With up to 15 loads a week, I'm hoping to regain some sanity.

A tip to figure out the water temp if the manual doesn't say it. Look for a service manual on the web. It helped for our LGEnmore :) where the manual had no mention of the temps. But in the service manual there is a troubleshooting section for water temps and it gives them!

Some LGs (I think) have a diagnostic button sequence that displays the water temp during operation. Do a Google search for "check LG washer water temp" or some such relevant terms, you'll probably find it and can see if it works on your model.

IM curious as to how much laundry actually fitsin the pedestal washer, I thought it was only for a few delicate things.

It's the perfect size for the smaller loads I need to do which were always dwarfed in a full size washer. Last night I washed 5 bras, 6 pairs of tights, 3 body suits, and 2 pairs of leggings.
I've also been doing my husband's squash clothing on a weekly basis which is 2 shirts and 2 pairs of shorts and there is room left for other items. I often throw in a couple pair of dance leggings in with his stuff if there are some that need washing. But normally, that is a very small load for a big machine so things wouldn't get washed as often as they needed to be as I'd wait for the load to be larger. Now they get washed while I'm doing a larger load above.

It also has a normal wash setting so it's not just for delicates. Only cold/warm settings though so no small, hot loads. I've used the normal setting when I've had a kid dump something on a shirt and I didn't have enough of that colour to do a load. Tossed their shirt in with a few other items of same colour and all clean. Previously, I would have let the shirt soak in the laundry sink for a few days until I had a load big enough.

For some reason I thought it was only large enough for a few bras or a silk blouse

This is what LG says in their brochure:

Q: HOW MUCH LAUNDRY CAN THE SIDEKICKTM WASHER HOLD?

A: Despite its compact size, the SideKickTM washer can hold nearly 1.1 cu. ft., or
approximately 3 to 4 pounds, of laundry. For a 3-pound load of delicates, that equates to
15 panties, 9 bras, 5 camisoles, 4 slips and 1 pajama bottom—all in one load. Or, you can wash
5 to 6 shirts in a 4-pound load.

Awesome, I played with buttons enough and found out which one displays the temp!! Cool feature! Thanks for the hint itguy08.

On my machine, it is tap the temp and delay wash buttons and the temp is displayed. I am currently doing a sanitize wash (dish cloths and towels) so this isn't the temp everyone is interested in, but I've been checking continually and the first I checked it was at 57, then 59, then 60 and now it's at 63. I think it needs to get to about 66 for sanitize and hold that for 5 minutes? Sanitize uses the "extra hot" temp setting.

Anyway, I will check other temps now that I know this feature exists! Won't be tonight though as I am done my two loads for the evening...AT THE SAME TIME! Having 2 washing machines, rocks! LOL

Oh and my current load in the SideKick is one pair of skinny pants, one sweater, one bra, one knit top, one sheer shirt, one camisole, one pair of capri dance leggings and one pair of men's sport undies (brand new so I tossed them with this load for their initial wash) on the hand wash cycle as all items are hand wash as per the label. All of these items will hang to dry.

Edit: The temp is now at 72C (161.6F). Not sure if went any higher as I didn't check for awhile and the next I looked it was 61C.

I forgot to mention I also checked on the water hammer. The machine does do a burst of water, pause, burst, pause, etc. and when it bursts, the hot water hose makes a movement and another movement when the burst ends, but very minimal. I don't hear any knocking or banging and it only moves a bit when the water starts and stops. Our house has PEX tubing for water lines anyway so they are flexible so doubtful I'd hear banging or knocking if they moved anyway. With flexible piping, I think this is a non issue for us. (can't say it would be an issue with copper either since I don't have that to compare!)

Edit: and I am now doing a bright whites load which uses hot temp and not extra hot and the hoses behind the machine didn't budge on the fill at all.

Rinsing now at 20C (68F).

Very non scientific, but I re-washed my dish clothes a bunch of times tonight on various cycles. Never actually finished a complete cycle (other than the first sanitize cycle I intended to put them on) as I don't have that much time. ;) Rather I restarted mid way and selected a new cycle. Without steam on a couple cycles, I got hot water temps of up to 115F, seemed to hang more near 111F. With steam, I got up to 138F. Not sure if any of the cycles would have gone higher since I didn't complete the cycle and I got tired of checking a zillion times.

But from what I gather, if I want decent hot, I add steam. If I want less hot, don't add steam. That being said, I believe I have exactly 1 load that I wash in hot (underwear). The majority of my loads are cold wash (and I have no complaints on how clean they come. The clothing labels say cold and many say gentle wash.) but I have a couple loads I do on warm. And then I have a sanitize load for my dish clothes/towels. For undies, I am likely to use the hot without the steam as many of my undies are technically supposed to be hand washed on cold...ya, no thanks. I want my undies clean!

ceruleanblue, thank you for the detailed review and, especially, the temperature descriptions. How did you find out which combination of buttons displays the temp? Do you press them at the same time or in sequence? I am on my second LG and have never been able to figure out the temperature display. I'd like to try again when I'm doing laundry this weekend :-)

ceruleanblue, thank you again. I finally got it to work! Same combo as in your machine: Delay Wash + Wash Temp shows the current temp in the drum in Celsius. Also discovered that pressing Delay Wash+ Spin Speed shows you the current speed in rpm. Woohoo!

Did a Sanitary load with steam this morning. The temp reached 63 Celsius (145F). Hmm... Going to try Allergen on my next load.

Allergiene cycle brought the temp to 68C (155F) before it added more water at the end of the wash portion. That cycle keeps the water level low (just enough to ensure that items are wet but no sloshing water), brings the temp in the drum pretty high using both the heater and the steam heater, and then at the end of the wash portion of the cycle it adds quite a lot of water and engages the spray nozzles.

How quiet is the spin cycle on high speed compared to your Lux?

DBV DBV, it doesn't seem much different. I think the LG may overall be a bit louder but it is on top of a pedestal whereas my Lux was right on the tile floor which I think absorbed some of the sound.

Hello - just checking in to see how you are liking you washer so far? Did you receive your gas LG dryer yet and if so, how do you like it?

DBV DBV, I am enjoying the washer. I really like that I can do my big load then an additional smaller load below. It has saved me a few times already. One was when my oldest dumped something on a sweater and I tossed her sweater in with 2 other items into the bottom machine while washing my regular load.

My dryer isn't here yet. I believe delivery said end of February or first week of March. I always seem to have a huge delay when ordering gas dryers here. I swear they make them to order and don't have them sitting in a warehouse!

I provided some additional info in another thread for you awhile back, I hope you saw that? It was in one of the Miele threads.

Yes - thanks for replying and that was very helpful. Costco has a great deal on these as a set right now. I am now contemplating on getting our Miele dryer fixed, as they are built like tanks (but mine are repair prone) or buying the LG WM5000HVA or WM9000HVA sets. I hope you continue to share your experiences with these as you move forward and learn more about them.

The dryer came the first week of March but due to our schedule, vacation and when we could get someone in to deal with the gas, it wasn't installed until a week ago. The sensor seems to work well. Drying on normal sensing had the clothing come out dry but not over dry. I've owned dryer in the past that had normal sense still come out damp and I always had to use "more dry", so I like how the sensor works in this one.

The gas igniter seems to behave differently than it did in my Lux. Comes on a different times. No big deal, I just noticed I heard it at different times.

For cycles, I've only used normal, anti bacterial and towels so far. And I haven't done sheets yet, so am curious how knotted up they will be.

"The gas igniter seems to behave differently than it did in my Lux. Comes on a different times."

The heat source on any dryer tends to stay on continuously for a while at start of a run when the load is wet and evaporating moisture keeps the exhaust temperature low. It will cycle off/on/off with increasing frequency as the load progresses toward dryness and less heat input is needed to maintain the target temperature. Completely normal operation.

It cycles quite a bit differently between the 2 machines though. So they handle things differently I guess. It seems the Lux stayed on for longer each time and the LG kicks in and out more often.

Ceruleanblue Just curious how you are liking the lg wm5000? I just placed an order for this machine and awaiting deliviery. There isn't a lot of talk about this machine on the board. IWas going to get the lg wm4270 but there was a lot of talk about not being able to turn off turbo wash.

I really, really like it. The 2nd washer really has been what I have always needed. We camped a lot this summer and it was so nice when we got home to be able to fill both machines and get laundry done quicker.

The only thing I don't like is that it seems to be off and shake the door a bunch when I have large loads like jeans and towels. My Lux was rock solid. Not sure if it's because it's on the pedestal (whereas my Lux had no pedestal), but my front door actually shakes and rattles. We've ensured the machine is level and stable and it is on the main floor, but the builder put extra reinforcement in the flooring there so it's solid, the floor doesn't move. I should probably just call about it and get some advice from LG or have a tech come in.

I like being able to quickly turn a load onto cold by just tapping the cold wash button rather than cycling through temps. Still love the FreshCare option; just wish I could set it and have it stay on as the default rather than having to press the button each cycle.

Thanks for all of the information. I placed my order for this set & they will be arriving on the 13th. I will let you know if I experience the same issue or not with the door shaking... I already have the side kick washer. I am replacing an existing LG model. Is there a way to add the fresh care to custom program cycle that you use often? I haven't looked into this so I am not sure if it is doable or not. Just a thought

Yes, please let me know if your door does the same. It's possible mine just needs an adjustment. Should just get off my butt and call them.

Ha! Thank you! Yes I just tried it, and I can save a custom program cycle with FreshCare already enabled! I will just have to determine which cycle I use it the most on and program that. Yay!

You should probably call about the door before it is too late....did you buy the extended warranty on your washer/dryer? Glad the custom program cycle worked out for you with the fresh care cycle

Yes, I do have extended warranty on all 3 units. Did you get your set yet?

No it was supposed to be delivered on Wednesday but they called Wednesday morning and said the wrong washer came in. So I am waiting for it to arrive. Did you call about your door?

I didn't call yet. It seems with back to school and university for the kids, back to ferrying the kids around for dance, and work, I haven't found the time to do it.

My set just arrived today....so far so good! I will let you know if my door shakes after I try a load of towels later. Right now I am running a long cycle to clean and sanitize the machine before we do any laundry. Took forever to get these.

Cerculeanblue I was able to do a large load of towels last night and my door doesn't seem to shake. However I changed the spin speed to medium because I read on here someplace that towels won't be as hard. What spin speed do you use for towels?

I really like the new machine a lot. I had them put the hammer arrerstors on when they installed and I have absolutely no banging of the pipes. The machine is very quiet.

do you ever use the steam cycle on the dryer? The installer tried to talk me out of hooking it up. He said I had to choose which was more important the side kick washer or the steam dryer water hookup....he didn't see away to hook it up so they would all work. Fortunately I had printed out the instructions from the lg website as I was curious when I was buying and wanted to make sure I had all the parts available. He was thankful and I was glad my OCD paid off!

When washers or dryers vibrate it's important, repeat important, to get the problem addressed right away. Vibration will cause circuit boards to go out and they're expensive to replace. We have a Sears maintenance contract and it takes 2 weeks to get the tech out to diagnose, then another 2 weeks for the actual repair appointment.

Sorry @rikerk, I missed your last post. I used the "towels" setting and the spin speed is extra high. I always used to my my towels on the highest spin in my Lux as well.

I didn't need any arrestors as I don't get any hammer. Our pipes are all flexible tubing so maybe that is why.

Yes, I do use the steam cycle. I use the refresh cycle or whatever it is called to toss in an item or two to make it less wrinkly or stale smelling for something that wasn't worn much but needs a refresh. I will say it doesn't work near as well as the cycle on my Electrolux did. This one seems to spit out water and make wet spots on the clothing so when you remove it, there are wet patches. The Lux distributed the spray way better and things just came out fresh and not wrinkly. Not sure if there is something I can do to make it work better.

Thank you for this thread! It's still very hard to find info on the "twin wash" systems and so glad to hear it's useful.