Overflow....

joebob

got water coming out of the overflow pipe, think its the hot water tank in loft. had a look at it and all gungy and old looking. 2 questions ..1 how much for a plumber to replace ballcock..? 2.. is it easy to diy.

AdrianW2

joebob wrote: »

2.. is it easy to diy.

Really does depend on how easy it is to access, how scaled up it is and whether your stopcock still works.

joebob

not that scaled up easy enough to get to, but water leaking out even when i pull ballcock up, not pouring out but enough to make overflow work

27col

Easy enough to do yourself. But you need to be able to isolate the water supply to the tank. If there is not a local isolator, then it is a good idea to fit one. They only cost a few pounds. If your stopcock works and there is good access then the job should be a doddle.

joebob

cannot find where to stop water refilling tank up. some valves at side of immersion heater?

AdrianW2

There'll be a valve where the water main enters the house, usually under the kitchen tap but sometimes in a utility cupboard or under the stairs.

If it's stuck, don't force it or you'll break the handle off and need a new one.

BritRael

Once you've turned off the mains water (check that its off by pushing the ballcock downwards) this is a very easy (and cheap) DIY fix.

If you've not done it before, probably the easiest way is to replace the whole ballcock assembly (around 20 quid I think). Just a word of warning when you're doing it; use two spanners - one on the ballcock side nut, and one on the nut on the outside of the tank. You are trying to hold the outside one stationary (if you do not do this, you're likely to damage the copper pipe) while undoing the ballcock nut. You gently increase the force on the ballcock nut until it 'gives'. Use the same technique when tightening it (in reverse) as well.

The cheapest fix, is simply to replace the washer inside the piston (a few pence) which is often the cause of this problem. When you have replaced the ballcock, take the old one apart (you'll need two mole grips or large-ish pliers) and you'll find the washer. This should show you how easy it will be to replace the next time!
Good luck.

joebob

got new ballcock on but got a dribble coming from nut on copper pipe on outside of tank any ideas?

AdrianW2

Wrap PTFE tape around the thread (on the male part) before tightening the nut.

joebob

the nut on the copper pipe is just turning round

AdrianW2

Why is the nut just turning, is it not biting into the thread? You only need a turn or so of tape, not enough to make the thread unusable.