Liquids possess a large hammer effect because they are incompressible, but gases can also possess a hammer effect large enough to render a sensor useless. A practical analogue to a snubber is a sponge in the drain of a sink. The sponge ensures that the sink empties slowly, instead of all at one. This occurs because the diaphragm can not return to zero. In severe cases no output occurs or the output does not change with an increase in pressure.
Most sensors are non-repairable.
The diaphragm is the main building block of the sensor. When building a sensor the diaphragm is first built and the all the other components are chosen to achieve the rated specification. When a diaphragm bends beyond its elastic limit, it can not be bent back to original shape or replaced because of the unique components associated with the original diaphragm. Before reinstalling it in the system, please acquire a snubber or the hammer effect will occur again and possibly damage the unit further. Snubbers stop spikes only, they do not perform miracles.