Very strong water hammer broke pipe

[richie4236]

We had an electric shower installed a few weeks ago, and it has a solenoid valve that shuts off the water abruptly. Because of where we live our mains pressure is very high, resulting in a very pronounced water hammer effect. This morning that caused the compression joint on the pipe to fail. Thankfully it didn't have time to release too much water, and I was able to isolate the pipe and mop up the spill before we had a major catastrophe to deal with.

I can fix the pipe, but I'm worried the same thing will happen again. I used good quality parts, cleaned the pipes before I joined them and used PTFE tape on the olives, but that doesn't seem like it was enough. I'm not sufficiently confident to try soldering in the confined spaces needed.

Is there a good way to deal with the water hammer effect, to stop this problem occurring again? Would plastic pipes be a better option, to allow them to flex a bit and absorb the impact?

The pipe comes out of the back of the shower and goes straight up in the stud wall (which thank God I hadn't gotten around to closing), and then turns to go across the loft. The first place I could realistically put in some kind of hammer arrestor is there. Would that make a positive difference, even though the pipe has already gone through two 90 degree compression joints? Would additional fixings on the pipe help? I've used pipe clips where I can, but there's a section where the pipe goes between joists where there was nothing to secure it to. I guess I could make something if this would help.

Help appreciated

 

[oldbuffer]

1. Electric showers have a manufacturer provided maximum operating pressure. This is often 5 bar. If your water pressure is higher than this I would consider installing a pressure reducing valve on the incoming main.
2. Otherwise, use a water hammer arrestor such as Screwfix 905FA as close as possible to the valve causing the problem.
3. I assume the pipes are clipped at the appropriate intervals.

 

[richie4236]

Thanks for responding.

1) I'm not sure how high the pressure is, I just know it's higher than anywhere else I've lived. The reservoir is on a steep hill at the end of our street. I assume that's got something to do with it. Is there a way to test it and get a figure?
2) Thanks. I'll order one of those and install it on the pipe as soon as it enters the loft.
3) Clipped everywhere I could, but not sure what the appropriate interval would be? It goes across a couple joists to reach the entrance into the wall void. It's at the end of this span that it popped out. I used a 22mm wood bit to make the hole into the top plate, so there's definitely potential for it to move.