outside tap stopped working since freeze

Jolaaled

Hi all
I have an outside tap that come directly off the rising main.

In the big freeze a couple of weeks ago, it stopped working..i assume all frozen up

However, now the weather is milder, it is still only giving me a dribble.

Could it be frozen still, deep underground??

or has something been damaged in teh frost, that i might have to get fixed??

thanks all.

Suzy_M

Starting with the obvious first -

Does your tap have a separate stopcock / valve inside?

I've been here myself - turned the outdoor tap on couldn't get any water, thought oh fffflipping heck!, then remembered I'd turned the tap off inside during the cold weather - doh!

Meepster

I suppose it could still be frozen, deep underground, but I doubt it.

More than likely the tap itself has gone faulty, probably the valve has failed and is only opening a small amount.

The only way to really find out is to turn the water off at the mains, take the tap off and then turn the mains back on again. If it flows freely, it's your tap, if it doesn't, there's a blockage somewhere....

Sorry I can't be more of a help!

WestonDave

What sometimes happens is that the washer (which blocks the flow to turn it off) becomes stuck in the closed position and when you turn the tap it detaches inside. It feels like you are turning the tap but in fact you aren't actually doing anything. The solution is to take the tap apart, free the washer (replacing it if its damaged) and then put it back together.

27col

Westondave has got the right idea. Turn off at the mains, whip the top of the tap off and you will see exactly what has happened. Dislodged washer or new washer will fix the problem.

TimBuckTeeth

If the tap is less than about 10 years old then it should have a check valve inside to prevent backflow from a hosepipe (pesticides, soap etc.) into the water supply.
I had one that siezed up and had no flow, it could be that freezing has damaged the valve as they are plastic. Don't think the valves are replaceable, so a new tap will fix the problem. Check the washer first though as mentioned above.

Jolaaled

thanks so much for all your helpful replies, guys.

This outside tap has no stopcock (for some reason, my old house has 2 rising mains...one does the usual household stuff and has a stopcock..but this second one is just for the outside tap).

I have 2 queries now, since all your helpful suggestions:

firstly..how do i now stop the water, whilst i examine the outside tap???

secondly...i've never ever taken a tap apart before..but willing to try, so i can examine valves and washers. Is this the sort of thing that is quite easy/obvious to do. Would i need any special tools..if so, i may be safer hiring a plumber, but sooo costly!

many many thanks for all your help

ormus

very odd to have another mains with no stopcock. if so you will have to stop it in the street.
there should be a small metal plate outside somewhere, about 4 inches square, open it up and there will be a stopcock inside.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/plumbing_basics.htm

Meepster

To take it apart, (this is supposing you have the most common type) you'll need a spanner (adjustable), screwdriver and probably some brute force as they aren't the easiest thing to open up. you should see the nut about half way down the main section (Usually just above where the spout it), I'd open this bit first (this is where the brute force somes in) and you should expose the valve. (You may need to undo the handle section with the screwdriver, again depending on the type).

The valve should then unscrew (more brute force with the spanner) when you've got it out, you should be able to see if the washer...



Should look something similar to this. If the washer is degraded, just unscrew the bottom section, swap the washer and put it all back together. If it's not the washer, then you're more than likely going to need a new tap.

Hope this helps

Jolaaled

thank you so so so much for all your help and photos too! You lot are just brilliant.
Yes, i've discovered that it is very unusual to have 2 rising mains (and one with no stopcock..this is an old victorian cottage, so not sure quite what happened!)

amarg

Incase anyone else is struggling with stop taps, there are some how to guides here-



stop tap repair

Also the section on head gear is useful