Help a girl with plumbing :(

sophief333

So long story cut short,

Last night noticed water rushing out overflow pipe. Went into loft and opened up the black box thing (like the top of the toilet) and noticed that the rod with red ball had snapped so was over flowing with water. We turned the water off for the night but after todays baths and showers the water has run out.

We have turned the water back on and tied the rod up (will fit new rod tomorrow) but it seems to be taking a long time for the water tank to fill up as there is still no water coming out taps. Is this normal? How long should it take?

Sorry for being an imbecile. Thanks.

ormus

the rod thing with the red ball thingy on the end, is the float lever for the water inlet valve.
when it rises it shuts off the valve. you have tied it up so its now shut off.
you need to repair the rod/ball or replace the whole assembly. they are cheap enough.

sophief333

thank you, but apparently the broken tied up valve is for the central heating (according to my dad on the phone) so having it tied up should not affect the taps??

Kernel_Sanders

ormus wrote: »

the rod thing with the red ball thingy on the end, is the float lever for the water inlet valve.
when it rises it shuts off the valve. you have tied it up so its now shut off.

I think she realises that; I think she is just querying the refill rate.

You've tied it up too high; mains water pressure is quite powerful and should rush in vigorously (and noisily!) Just release it, let the water rush in, then tie it up again when full. Water won't come out of your hot taps whilst the tank is empty because it should be under pressure from the storage tank.
It's also known as a ballcock. You can get a new kit from Wilkos quite cheaply (they're all in plastic BTW), as it is best to replace the whole assemby. So, you need a suitable spanner; measure the nut you have to undo in mm if you have to buy one (try pound shops).

Kernel_Sanders

sophief333 wrote: »

thank you, but apparently the broken tied up valve is for the central heating (according to my dad on the phone) so having it tied up should not affect the taps??

Sorry, but this looks like a case of 'the blind leading the blind'!
Unless the CH header tank is also overflowing, this won't affect the main fresh water tank (which sometimes directly feeds it).
The CH one is the smaller of the two.

ormus

if it is the ch header tank, then as long as there is some water in it, itll run ok for a few days until you fix the valve assembly.
make sure the inlet valve is shut off properly. otherwise itll be taking water constantly from your CWS tank. (the big one).
hence the overflow.

sophief333

Ok, here is current situation.

Two tanks in loft.
Small one for central heating (with broken float leaver- which has been temporarily fixed)
Big tank for bath, sinks etc

The water was turned off for one day. Big tank was empted. Water was turned back on and now the big tank if full again. When I turn the taps on in the sinks and bath I am getting a slight trickle or no water whatsoever.

Fresh water in kitchen is not effected.

So the only problem now is water not coming out taps.

Any ideas?

sophief333

Been googleing, think I have an airlock?

Does this sound right?

keystone

sophief333 wrote: »

Been googleing, think I have an airlock?

Does this sound right?

Yep.

Cheers

Kernel_Sanders

Is the warm water coming through at the same rate as it used to?

keystone

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

........they're all in plastic BTW..........

All together now - Oh No They're Not!

.........try pound shops....

You are, of course, kidding?

Cheers