Washing machine tap won’t turn off

Jd843

Hi

I’m moving out of a (rented) house tomorrow, so I tried to disconnect the washing machine to get it ready to move. I turned the blue tap that the washer is connected to into the off position, but when I unscrew the washer hose, water is still flowing so I guess the tap is broken. 

I tried turning off the stopcock under the sink, but this doesn’t affect the washing machine’s supply, just the rest of the house (presumably because the washer is outside?). Does this mean I need to turn off the external stop tap in the street? Do I need a particular tool for that? I realise turning off the water doesn’t fix the problem with the tap but at least I can get the washer disconnected then ask the letting agent to sort the pipe work for the next tenant!

Jeepers_Creepers

Do you know if there's a cold water storage tank in the loft? If so, that would explain why turning off the mains stopcock didn't shut off the supply to the W/M - the W/M is getting its water from the loft tank.

For the blue W/M valve, fair chance it's a case of the blue plastic lever just flexing too much and not being able to turn the spindle it's attached to the full required 90o. See the wee screw in the top of the blue lever? Undo that and remove the lever. The round spindle underneath will have a 'flat' on the end where the lever sat. Now get pliers or a small adjustable spanner on that 'flat' to turn the spindle the last wee bit. Does that turn it off fully? If not, turn it fully on and then briskly off again - all through 90o or a quarter-turn. If that doesn't do it, the valve must be faulty. Once it's off, replace the blue lever - and run away quickly...

Jd843

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Do you know if there's a cold water storage tank in the loft? If so, that would explain why turning off the mains stopcock didn't shut off the supply to the W/M - the W/M is getting its water from the loft tank.

For the blue W/M valve, fair chance it's a case of the blue plastic lever just flexing too much and not being able to turn the spindle it's attached to the full required 90o. See the wee screw in the top of the blue lever? Undo that and remove the lever. The round spindle underneath will have a 'flat' on the end where the lever sat. Now get pliers or a small adjustable spanner on that 'flat' to turn the spindle the last wee bit. Does that turn it off fully? If not, turn it fully on and then briskly off again - all through 90o or a quarter-turn. If that doesn't do it, the valve must be faulty. Once it's off, replace the blue lever - and run away quickly...

Nope definitely no water tank. I think it’s just that the washing machine outbuilding is “in between” where the water comes into the property from the street and the stopcock in the kitchen, so when I turn this off it doesn’t stop the water reaching the outbuilding... in this situation, is there not usually a way of isolating the outbuilding supply?

Alanp

If you can kink the hose and secure with cable ties, it should stop the water if you can get the ties tight enough , then shove the open end down the standpipe 

Le_Kirk

Might be to late if you are moving out today but THIS <<<<Link will stop the dribble.  Other types are available.

Jeepers_Creepers

Jd843 said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Do you know if there's a cold water storage tank in the loft? If so, that would explain why turning off the mains stopcock didn't shut off the supply to the W/M - the W/M is getting its water from the loft tank.

For the blue W/M valve, fair chance it's a case of the blue plastic lever just flexing too much and not being able to turn the spindle it's attached to the full required 90o. See the wee screw in the top of the blue lever? Undo that and remove the lever. The round spindle underneath will have a 'flat' on the end where the lever sat. Now get pliers or a small adjustable spanner on that 'flat' to turn the spindle the last wee bit. Does that turn it off fully? If not, turn it fully on and then briskly off again - all through 90o or a quarter-turn. If that doesn't do it, the valve must be faulty. Once it's off, replace the blue lever - and run away quickly...

Nope definitely no water tank. I think it’s just that the washing machine outbuilding is “in between” where the water comes into the property from the street and the stopcock in the kitchen, so when I turn this off it doesn’t stop the water reaching the outbuilding... in this situation, is there not usually a way of isolating the outbuilding supply?

Have you tried what I suggested? These little 'ball' isolating valves are usually pretty reliable and will shut off the water if turned thro' the full 90o. If this is the issue - and it's the most likely - then all the LL will need to do is stick on another blue handle...

Yes, there will likely be another stopcock somewhere, lawd knows where. You want to spend your time searching for it now?

roddydogs

Be fair, tell the landlord.

Jd843

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Jd843 said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Do you know if there's a cold water storage tank in the loft? If so, that would explain why turning off the mains stopcock didn't shut off the supply to the W/M - the W/M is getting its water from the loft tank.

For the blue W/M valve, fair chance it's a case of the blue plastic lever just flexing too much and not being able to turn the spindle it's attached to the full required 90o. See the wee screw in the top of the blue lever? Undo that and remove the lever. The round spindle underneath will have a 'flat' on the end where the lever sat. Now get pliers or a small adjustable spanner on that 'flat' to turn the spindle the last wee bit. Does that turn it off fully? If not, turn it fully on and then briskly off again - all through 90o or a quarter-turn. If that doesn't do it, the valve must be faulty. Once it's off, replace the blue lever - and run away quickly...

Nope definitely no water tank. I think it’s just that the washing machine outbuilding is “in between” where the water comes into the property from the street and the stopcock in the kitchen, so when I turn this off it doesn’t stop the water reaching the outbuilding... in this situation, is there not usually a way of isolating the outbuilding supply?

Have you tried what I suggested? These little 'ball' isolating valves are usually pretty reliable and will shut off the water if turned thro' the full 90o. If this is the issue - and it's the most likely - then all the LL will need to do is stick on another blue handle...

Yes, there will likely be another stopcock somewhere, lawd knows where. You want to spend your time searching for it now?

Did what you said, turned it fully to the off position and water is still getting through...

frogglet

My plastic knob did this and in the middle of it was a screw that I could turn with a flat headed screwdriver

roddydogs

???..........

Jd843

Le_Kirk said:

Might be to late if you are moving out today but THIS <<<<Link will stop the dribble.  Other types are available.

Nope not too late, thanks. Will get one of these if the landlord can’t send a plumber to sort it anytime soon, at least then we can get the washer moved out