Dripping tap

bouicca21

Thank you all.  I’ll look for an isolation valve; and turn off at the mains.  Hot and cold are both fed from the mains.  I have a combi boiler.  

One of the few bits of practical information I’ve picked up since living here is that the water pressure is high. I’m glad I asked - that could have been quite spectacular.

Bendy_House

If you have isolating valves on the tap's pipes, I'd recommend you use them. If you rely on the mains stopcock only, then your water is going to be off until you fix this tap...

You might think, 'no prob - I'll just temporally refit the cartridge...', but - as a seeming newbie to DIY and plumbing in particular - I think you should be introduced to a law first cited by a MrSod.

It goes...

Section62

neilmcl said:

Not much point having isolation valves if they're not going to be used.

Completely agree.  Which is why I'd not bother installing them.  And instead have strategically located full bore lever valves to properly isolate sections of the system to be worked on.

There are so many cheap and nasty isolation valves out there just waiting to start leaking as soon as a screwdriver goes near them that I just wouldn't risk it, unless I was already prepared to turn off the mains and then to replace the isolation valve.  If you've prepared to turn off the mains, you may as well just do that and be done.

Bendy_House said:

If you have isolating valves on the tap's pipes, I'd recommend you use them. If you rely on the mains stopcock only, then your water is going to be off until you fix this tap...

You might think, 'no prob - I'll just temporally refit the cartridge...', but - as a seeming newbie to DIY and plumbing in particular - I think you should be introduced to a law first cited by a MrSod.

It goes...

That, without wishing to cast any doubt on bouicca21's plumbing ability, is why I'd suggest leaving the isolating valves alone.

It's one thing to use a spanner to remove and replace tap cartridges, likely sealed with rubber o-rings and just needing to be tightened.  It's another to purchase isolating valves, tape, sealant etc etc to replace one of those if it decides to start leaking.

If one of the isolating valves does start leaking then the mains can't go back on until that gets fixed, so really there's no great advantage.

GDB2222

I am always amazed at the range of conflicting answers you get round here.

NSG666

GDB2222 said:

I am always amazed at the range of conflicting answers you get round here.

Different experiences. Section is right that they can start to leak as soon as they are touched and require replacing. Like Bendy I'd use the isolator but I do have the parts, tools and skill to replace them. Whatever means of isolation is used, for someone with limited plumbing experience I'd suggest attempting the job at a time when you are likely to be able to get a local plumber to come and sort out any problems without having to resort to one of the emergency plumbers that charge £150/hr so don't do it on a Sunday or on an evening.

bouicca21

GDB2222 said:

I am always amazed at the range of conflicting answers you get round here.

I am always amazed at the breadth of knowledge you get round here.

I have found the isolation valve.  Whoever plumbed that sink didn’t think of making it very accessible.  I take on board the warning.  I’ll wait for the parts to arrive and see if I’m brave enough to get the spanner out.  In the meantime I will make sure I have the number of a good plumber.  At least if I bottle out I’ll have the parts and it will only be one visit.

Thank  you all.

Bendy_House

GDB2222 said:

I am always amazed at the range of conflicting answers you get round here.

I'm not

Brewer21

All this worry about isolation valves leaking🤔
I fitted a new one on Wednesday to my son's property, I replaced a perfectly good working one (been in at least 10 years) as I fitted that one. I changed the pipework to his downstairs loo so all new fittings whilst there, new loo too.
I've used loads of these valves (got around 9 in my house) on various jobs, had none fail, bought from Screwfix or B&Q.

Bendy_House

Brewer21 said:

All this worry about isolation valves leaking🤔
I fitted a new one on Wednesday to my son's property, I replaced a perfectly good working one (been in at least 10 years) as I fitted that one. I changed the pipework to his downstairs loo so all new fittings whilst there, new loo too.
I've used loads of these valves (got around 9 in my house) on various jobs, had none fail, bought from Screwfix or B&Q.

I really thought you were going to say, "I replaced a perfectly good working one, and its new replacement leaked!" :-)

I get S62's point - they are a bit notorious, and I've had more than one weeper myself in my time. In Bouicca's case, tho', I think I'd rather have the kitchen tap isolated so I could get on with the job without worrying about no water to the rest of the house.

Even weeping isol valves can usually be stopped by turning them a gnat's crochet. If, when you turn the valve to fully on or off it feels 'loose' - ie too easy to turn at that point - then try turning it a small amount until it stiffens again - good chance the drip will stop. But, yes, pants...