I'm re-doing my bath. Replacing bath with a shower. I'm also changing faucet to a shower faucet. I attached a photo of my old faucet & pipe set-up. My question is when I replace the faucet/valve with my new one, do I need to keep the two upright pipes on the left & right? I think those pipes are hammer pipes. But not absolutely sure. Can I install new valve without it? Thanks for any input.

Simon
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Hi Shanohano...

Those are an old style "bumper" or water hammer arrestor.

Since all is piped so nicely I would just cut out the old valve and slip in the new valve and keep the bumpers... can't hurt anything for sure.

The bumpers usually fill with water over time so become less effective, but if you drain your water system of water they will automatically "recharge" (fill with air) when the water gets turned back on and can be helpful in absorbing some of the "shock" to the system when the valve gets shut off quickly.

All that being said, they are not required by any means, but they can't hurt anything, OK?

Questions? Let me know...

Mark

Thank you Mark for your input. Merry Christmas!

To you as well... :)