Shoddy pipework question for Ferg et al

[miniman]

When we moved into our new build, whenever the hot tap in the kitchen was turned off sharply, the pipes all the way up to the tank on the second floor would jump and bang against the insides of the hollow walls. So the feckless plumber had to come back, cut a load of holes in the ceilings and walls to sort it.

Fast forward a year and I'm changing the hand basin in the cloakroom, removing the pedestal and fitting a cupboard unit with a free-standing basin on top. I need to move the pipes (only about an inch or so) so that they emerge inside the cupboard rather than next to it. Having removed a bit of plasterboard and the solitary pipe clip I find the pipes will move by vast amounts, rattling around in the void as they do so.

Here's a little clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvdmuezrHCU

So my question is - is this a reasonable amount of movement in hot and cold water pipes, or should I:

(a) summon the arse of a plumber back?
(b) tell the builders I don't want him anywhere near my house and send them the bill for it to be properly fixed?

Thanks!

[Ferg]

If they have ANY sort of pressure at all there is a lot of potential for noise from the way they are clipped (or not)....


Nice Bucks Fizz, by the way.

Edited by Ferg on Monday 10th May 20:43

[miniman]

Thanks, it is a megaflow system. Haven't heard them banging up until now although to be fair the cloakroom gets little use.

Bucks Fizz?

[Cheese Mechanic]

Water hammer is usually caused by a partially closed stopcock with a floating jumper washer.

Pipework should be clipped, securely, but mainly, loud hammering is caused by what I mention.

Check all stopcocks and ensure they are FULLY open

[miniman]

I'm more concerned about it gradually shaking itself to pieces to be honest.

Anyway, I owe the builders a call given that they promised to replace the faulty knobs on my cooker on 28th April and haven't done so yet.

28th April 2009 that is.

Useless feckers.

[Ferg]

Cheese Mechanic said:

Water hammer is usually caused by a partially closed stopcock with a floating jumper washer.

Pipework should be clipped, securely, but mainly, loud hammering is caused by what I mention.

Check all stopcocks and ensure they are FULLY open

Water hammer can be caused by a multitude of moving parts in a water system, but is exacerbated by badly clipped pipework. The MAIN cause of waterhammer is resonance from ballvalves, particularly old Part 1 ballvalves.

[Ferg]

miniman said:

Bucks Fizz?

'Makin' Your Mind Up' on your video.

[Simpo Two]

miniman said:

Having removed a bit of plasterboard and the solitary pipe clip I find the pipes will move by vast amounts, rattling around in the void as they do so.

Logic would dictate that you clip the blighters in place such that they no longer rattle around in the void...

As for Bucks Fizz, the bit you mean is when they pull their skirts off. Well that's what some pervert told me anyway...

[miniman]

Simpo Two said:

miniman said:

Having removed a bit of plasterboard and the solitary pipe clip I find the pipes will move by vast amounts, rattling around in the void as they do so.

Logic would dictate that you clip the blighters in place such that they no longer rattle around in the void...

As for Bucks Fizz, the bit you mean is when they pull their skirts off. Well that's what some pervert told me anyway...

Only way to do that is to remove a bit chunk of wall, though. Don't see why I should have to do that...

[dirkgently]

miniman said:

Simpo Two said:

miniman said:

Having removed a bit of plasterboard and the solitary pipe clip I find the pipes will move by vast amounts, rattling around in the void as they do so.

Logic would dictate that you clip the blighters in place such that they no longer rattle around in the void...

As for Bucks Fizz, the bit you mean is when they pull their skirts off. Well that's what some pervert told me anyway...

Only way to do that is to remove a bit chunk of wall, though. Don't see why I should have to do that...

Unfortunately if you have found one example of poor pipe-work you can bet that it is representative of the plumbing throughout the house, and possibly the street.Getting the original plumber to fix it is a non starter as he probably thinks it`s a jolly fine job.
You would be astounded by the amount of rectification work that I do on property less than five years old.

[russ_a]

I brought a Water Hammer Valve for about £10, took about 5 mins to fit and solved the problem.