Water "banging" in one shower
#1
04-11-16, 01:37 PM
Water "banging" in one shower
I have an intermittent problem in one shower in my home. Sometimes the water will start rhythmically gaining and losing strength. When this happens, I can hear the pipes banging about twice a second.
This only happens (of course) when the temperature of the shower is set to perfect warmth. I can temporarily stop the banging by raising the temperature all the way hot and then lowering it to normal. But then it often starts up again.
The shower valve controls temperature only, not volume.
Any ideas?
This only happens (of course) when the temperature of the shower is set to perfect warmth. I can temporarily stop the banging by raising the temperature all the way hot and then lowering it to normal. But then it often starts up again.
The shower valve controls temperature only, not volume.
Any ideas?
#2
04-11-16, 03:25 PM
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Hey RocketJSquirrel, not with all the will in the world I am a plumber, but doesn't that sound like a typicall case of too much air in the pipes? Are facing any other abnormalities like a high sough when you open the water tap, or a banging when you turn on the heating? Have you checked the water pressure? I'm facing the same "banging" problem when i turn on the heating and can't find anyway to solve it...
#4
04-11-16, 04:21 PM
It sounds like it's coming from just inside the shower wall. It sounds like the pipes are actually shaking.
It doesn't seem like a typical case of water hammer; doesn't that generally occur only when the water is first turned on or shut off? I understand one remedy for water hammer is to allow air in to refill the air chamber.
I am beginning to suspect the shower valve. The noise only occurs in the middle nice-and-warm setting, not at hot or cold. But I can't figure out how the valve could do that.
It doesn't seem like a typical case of water hammer; doesn't that generally occur only when the water is first turned on or shut off? I understand one remedy for water hammer is to allow air in to refill the air chamber.
I am beginning to suspect the shower valve. The noise only occurs in the middle nice-and-warm setting, not at hot or cold. But I can't figure out how the valve could do that.
#5
04-13-16, 09:55 AM
It sounds like a washer is going bad. Something with a worn washer creates enough turbulance in the water to vibrate. I've seen it on shutoff valves and hose bibs, though never on a shower faucet. But if the shower faucet has washers, I'd bet that's the issue.
I agree, it's not water hammer, which happens when you turn on/off the water abruptly.
I agree, it's not water hammer, which happens when you turn on/off the water abruptly.
