. Foremost, the Surge Suppressor absorbs and dampens the effects of water hammer. In normal conditions, within the device, a short standing column of water leads upward from a primary line to a holding tank filled to a greater or lesser degree with air. In the event of a pressure spike in the primary line, the height of the water column increases, compressing the air within the tank and provides a “shock-absorber” action. The compressed air in the top of the tank expands and pushes the water back into the main line.