Plumbing Advice Needed - Trickling tap...

ThisIsWeird

Then there's the two isolating valves, arrowed yellow.

The orange arrow points to a 'flexi hose', and I'm guessing this goes to your tap?

Ok, I was hoping that the plumber had left the hot one - whichever one that is - partly off, but as you can see, the screwdriver slot is 'in-line' with the actual fitting, so this means it's fully open.

Assuming that you can confirm that these two isol-valves DO go to the kitchen tap, then it's worth bearing in mind that if you need to do any work on just that tap, then you can isolate the water by these, so do not need to turn off the whole water supply or boiler via the mains stopcock (in your last pic). Simply turn the screw slots tho' 90o.

Do you know if the plumber played with these at all, either on his first or subsequent visit?

I guess we need to isolate these from the fault equation ('isolate' - gettit! Cough...) 

So, after you confirm that these two valves ARE supplying the kitchen tap, and if you have a big enough screwdriver, then turn them thro' 90o so's the slots are at right angles to the fitting - that should be 'off'. Then turn on the H&C kitchen taps, both on full, and take each valve in turn; slowly turn them thro' 180o and watch what the flow does.

A 'good' valve will have its max flow when the slot is in line with the fitting body, as shown in your pic, and zero flow when at 90o to it. In between will have a variable flow.

Ok, rotate them through 180o, even 360o, and watch what happens. Note, for EACH, where the flow is 'off', and the flow is 'max'. Also feel if there's any sloppiness in the valves - do they turn firmly, or is there a period of 'looseness' before it's firm? Also try turning them back and forth - any periods of nothing happening?

And, most importantly, does the hot tap flow better at ANY position?

Beverley75

The yellow cap isn't leaking (thank goodness) 🤷🏽‍♀️ 

ThisIsWeird

We look forward to your results with the two isolators...

Beverley75

ThisIsWeird said:

We look forward to your results with the two isolators...

I completely missed your message about the isolating valves! Duh. 

Okay, this is really good and detailed (thank you so much 💐 - if nothing else I'll be slightly conversant in 'plumber' for any future emergencies! 😂)....

I'll give this a go when I'm home tonight and report back in full - thanks again 

(I'll also text the plumber, with your brilliant arrow images and ask if he moved them) 

fredddddddddddd

also if that orange arrow above is the flexi hose to your tap, double check it hasn't got a kink in it

Beverley75

fredddddddddddd said:

also if that orange arrow above is the flexi hose to your tap, double check it hasn't got a kink in it

Will do - many thanks 

ThisIsWeird

fredddddddddddd said:

also if that orange arrow above is the flexi hose to your tap, double check it hasn't got a kink in it

Ooh - good call.

Even if the outside doesn't have a visible kink, the inner rubber hose could - and it wouldn't be uncommon.

Tbh, the fact that you have an isolating valve there, with an easy-to-undo (tho' requiring a wrench) end connection, means that it would be very straightforward to check the flow rate coming through that valve. If it's as good as it should be, then the issue must be between there and the spout. And, since the cartridge has been replaced, making it very unlikely to be the cause, then a kinked inner hose is looking pretty likely.

Why would it fail at the same time as the cartridge replacement?! No idea :-(

If the flow rate has really collapsed to a trickle, then multifred has likely nailed it.

Beverley75

(I wrote a response that seems to have disappeared!) 

I tried both isolating valves - and the low flow rate of the hot tap was unaffected. It's either low or at 90° it's off (cold tap was gushing as normal, slower, then off) 

And as an aside, what I thought was the stopcock tap obviously isn't as turning it didn't affect the water flow in the house at all 🤔

I've run my fingers along the hose as far as I can teach to no avail - nothing seems kinked in it..... 

ThisIsWeird

You mentioned in an earlier post that the plumber turned off the whole water using the stopcock. Are you sure that this isn't the one you showed in your multi-photo? If it isn't, where is it?!

(You know that stopcocks need turning repeatedly clockwise until they stop?! There are not like isolating valves which only have a quarter-turn range...)

Anyhoo, well done for you isol valve tests. It suggests that the valves are fine, but that there's a restriction between it and the tap, so most likely as fredddddddd says - the rubber tube inside has collapsed. And thank t'lawd he came up with that, 'cos it never occurred to me.

Of course, it ain't certain, but I think 'most likely'. Are you up for replacing the Flexi hose? 

If not, a plumber can first disconnect it at the valve, and confirm the flow is good coming through. They could also remove the cartridge and ditto. Both are simple tasks for a plumber, or a competent DIY. No family member capable of this?

Beverley75

ThisIsWeird said:

You mentioned in an earlier post that the plumber turned off the whole water using the stopcock. Are you sure that this isn't the one you showed in your multi-photo? If it isn't, where is it?!

(You know that stopcocks need turning repeatedly clockwise until they stop?! There are not like isolating valves which only have a quarter-turn range...)

Anyhoo, well done for you isol valve tests. It suggests that the valves are fine, but that there's a restriction between it and the tap, so most likely as fredddddddd says - the rubber tube inside has collapsed. And thank t'lawd he came up with that, 'cos it never occurred to me.

Of course, it ain't certain, but I think 'most likely'. Are you up for replacing the Flexi hose? 

If not, a plumber can first disconnect it at the valve, and confirm the flow is good coming through. They could also remove the cartridge and ditto. Both are simple tasks for a plumber, or a competent DIY. No family member capable of this?

Sadly, I'm 'IT' when it comes to D.I.Y (family & ex-husband are willing, but 50 miles away!) - and I know I hide it extremely well 😂.... but I'm functionally useless at D.I.Y

I'll get a plumber in (and ask him to show me where the stopcock is. Maybe I just didn't turn it enough) 

My thanks to you & Fredddddddddddd!

I can at least tell the plumber what you suggested, and what I tried - and he can hopefully get right to checking the rubber tube and finally solve the mystery 

💐 Thank you ever so much, and all the best! 😊