Fixing leaking tap in bathroom

AliceBanned

DirectDebacle wrote: »

The isolation valve will remain in situ. It is only the compression nut from the isolation valve which will be undone and remain on the pipe attached to the tap connector that will be removed as you pull the tap out of the basin. The isolation valve should still be doing its job. However it may be prudent to turn off at the mains (stop tap) and slowly turn back on after removal checking that the isolation valve is not leaking. If it is then turn off at the stop tap and remedy the leak on the isolation valve.

The whole point of the isolation valve is that you can isolate an individual outlet without shutting off the whole supply. Ordinarily in your situation the tap connector would undo and you could remove the tap with the isolation valve shutting off the water. The water will be stopped inside the isolation valve so it doesn't matter if only the tap is removed or all of the pipework from the isolation valve to the tap, the water is still stopped at the same point i.e. inside the isolation valve.

Brill, thanks for the explanation! I will let you know how I get on..

AliceBanned

I've switched off at stop tap. The nut seems to be moving but it is taking some time.


Just a question which may sound stupid - do I need to switch off the central heating if the mains water is off? I think probably not but just wondered as the immersion starting gurgling when I switched water off.

AliceBanned

Direct Debacle - I may give that one a miss. The entire pipe keeps turning - I am not sure how strong it is and I don't want to force it. I will try some dw40 then give up until tomorrow.

AliceBanned

I have now tried WD40 specialist fast release penetrant - still no success with either of the nuts. I'll keep trying now and then.


I spoke to a plumber today about my boiler and water pressure. It is a condensing boiler with a water tank, and the pressure is low on the hot water so it is almost impossible to fill the bath. I would like it to be much better - the external water supply has been checked and that is good.


He said it might be scale in the tank..he is coming to look on Friday. The guy from the water company said the pressure may have been set that way when all the flats were built (12 years ago). It really is rubbish. Hopefully the plumber can improve it without a huge cost.


Is this normal with condensing boilers?


Also the tank takes up a lot of space so I would be tempted if I had the money to change to a combi boiler - but I can't consider if for a couple of years, it is just too costly.

cyclonebri1

AliceBanned wrote: »

No I absolutely don't need a plumber! Thanks for your input, but it's a bit negative for a diy board.

Well I ought to find that quite offensive, but I'll continue to try to help you. What you actually need is someone who has at least done this before, not someone telling how it should be done.


There is no one on here who pushes the DIY approach more strongly than me, but when someone says they have spent a whole day trying to change a tap washer, something that would take your average DIY guy 1/2hr and have gone from 1 problem/question to another then I think it's time to call it quits or admit defeat before you end up flooding the place out.


Tell me then you didn't need a plumber

roddydogs

B & Q charge a flat £50 to change a tap, despite not knowing how easy/Access problems etc?

AliceBanned

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Well I ought to find that quite offensive, but I'll continue to try to help you. What you actually need is someone who has at least done this before, not someone telling how it should be done.


There is no one on here who pushes the DIY approach more strongly than me, but when someone says they have spent a whole day trying to change a tap washer, something that would take your average DIY guy 1/2hr and have gone from 1 problem/question to another then I think it's time to call it quits or admit defeat before you end up flooding the place out.


Tell me then you didn't need a plumber

My messages have been spread out across the day but i havent spent a whole day!!! I've done 2.5 jobs in half a day or less. Don't know what your problem is but go and be negative and troll elsewhere. As i said im no idiot. I couldn't posdibly flood the place. Calm down.

AliceBanned

roddydogs wrote: »

B & Q charge a flat £50 to change a tap, despite not knowing how easy/Access problems etc?

I had same thought..didn't ask as i thought i could do it.

AliceBanned

AliceBanned wrote: »

My messages have been spread out across the day but i havent spent a whole day!!! I've done 2.5 jobs in half a day or less. Don't know what your problem is but go and be negative and troll elsewhere. As i said im no idiot. I couldn't posdibly flood the place. Calm down.

I'm the one finding you offensive actually. Just stay away from my thread please.

Some people find themselves alone with no one nearby to help. That's the way things can be. I came on here for help for that reason. You are being irrational and judgemental. I didn't ask for assumptions or accusations.

jblack_2

Someone is a bit touchy:p. 3 days to change a washer? You don't work for British Gas do you?