Noisy clunking noise in new bath when turning water on &

[robinv2]

The issue is loud clunking noise when we turn the shower or bath water off sharply. Is this called water hammer?

We are having a new bathroom installed. The bath has 2 valves. 1 thermostatic valve for the shower and 1 mixed valve with divertor for a hose and the bathroom tap.

Problem is that we are getting a loud clunking noise when we turn off the flow sharply through either valve.

No idea what the problem is, bathstore supplied both valves and have suggested dirt is caught inside valves or potentially both are faultly. Our builder believes the problem is the size of the water pipe from the mains to the bathroom (which he says we need to replace to enlarge), causing a pressure issue.

The water pipe is 15mm rather than 22mm.

Any ideas what the problem might be? Reluctant to allow tiling tomorrow until we can resolve the problem (ie if we pay for new pipework and find out the valves are still clunking after the limestone tiles go up I will despair ). House refurb is costing a small fortune - with the usual Victorian property problems - and really dont want to be left with a clunking bath after spending all of this money

Happy for any advice or experience with similar?

Thanks

Shannah

 

[muggles]

It does indeed sound like water hammer. This can often be exacerbated by inadequate supporting of pipework (not enough clips) and excessively high pressure. The latter can be addressed by fitting a pressure reducing valve, or if you don't want to do that, a water shock arrestor.

 

[Tibbot]

Also if all is mains fed make sure any stopcock on the supply to the house is fully open.

 

[robinv2]

The plumber fitted a pressure reducing valve today and also made sure that all the pipes were firmly clipped. It is set to 3bar. The pipes are still making a loud clunking noise though when turning off the water fast.

We will check the stop clock tomorrow.

Do you think the 15mm pipes from the mains could be the issue? The 15mm pipes have to run about 10m to the bathroom. The plumber wants to change the 15mm pipes for 22mm pipes.

Thanks

Shannah

 

[twgas]

The plumber wants to change the 15mm pipes for 22mm pipes

Do a deal with your plumber, get a price, agree to pay if it cures the problem, if it doesn't, you don't pay him.