Pipes make loud noises (sink, installed, bathroom, plumber)

[Missingatlanta]

The pipes in our house make very loud noises when we shut off the upstairs bathroom water. Sometimes the pipe by the tub will make a loud humming noise for like ten seconds. It sounds like an engine almost. Now the water pressure in our bathroom sink downstairs is basically gone. Turning the knobs completely just releases a very thin stream of water. We've been living in this house for three months also and it's about 18 years old.

I have a feeling this is going to be an expensive fix. Are there any do it yourself things we can try before calling a plumber?

[davebarnes]

Tell them to "pipe down".

[nybbler]

The very loud noises you describe are water hammer. You just need a water hammer arrestor installed; this should not be very expensive. As for your sink, it's likely unrelated. First thing to try is to remove the aerator on the faucet and clean it out.