No water from outside tap

vivaladiva

Tap was working before winter, but now there is just a trickle of water. It was left with the hosepipe attached and not drained over winter - I suspect this wasn't a great idea .

I can take the top right off the tap without getting soaked - surely this isn't right.

Any ideas how I can get it working again.

TIA

LisaW123

Stating the obvious but just in case. Have you checked that the tap hasn't been switched off inside your house? We turn off our garden tap every winter.

gas4you

Is it one with a built in non-return valve?

If so it could be this that has been jammed shut.

Or, it could be the non-return valve in the pipe work indoors near the isolating tap.

vivaladiva

Yes the water is on - I checked that . No-one thought to turn it off over winter.

How do I know if it has a non return valve?

Itismehonest

Could just be an airlock. If so, you'll need to try to suck the air through (have you got a wet/dry vacuum or something similar?) & the water should then flow normally.

vivaladiva

Itismehonest wrote: »

Could just be an airlock. If so, you'll need to try to suck the air through (have you got a wet/dry vacuum or something similar?) & the water should then flow normally.

I've tried this, but it didn't work. Thank you for the suggestion anyway.

I think it might be this non return valve thing. It did get frozen over the winter.

Or, it could be the non-return valve in the pipe work indoors near the isolating tap.

There is a maze of plumbing under the sink. If it's the non return valve there, how do I fix it?

gas4you

Look for an arrow on the side of the tap, the tap will be bulky and may have a little 'nut' to undo on it.

The same goes for looking for a valve indoors.

I have had several isolating taps that have a built in non-return valve fitted, stick and need replacing.

You won't get an air lock at mains pressure, especially with such a short run of pipe to an outside tap.

vivaladiva

Looks like both the tap and the stop tap bit under the sink have these non return valves. Is there an easy way to free them (I suspect it's the tap one that's stuck) or do I have to replace the whole thing?

gas4you

You could try a firm but gentle bang to the valve, but normally they need replacing.

Probably about £15 or so to buy. Easy to fit assuming it has compression fittings.

vivaladiva

Thanks ever so much gas4you. Fittings on outside tap look pretty corroded, but should be able to replace it.

keystone

Itismehonest wrote: »

Could just be an airlock.

Even if you try really, really hard its virtually impossible to get an airlock on a pipe with mains pressure in it.

Cheers