Any plumbers? :)

[Vlad]

It's this time of the year when this stuff happens more and more

Basically, I have a high pitched noise/whistle somewhere in the bathroom/loft above bathroom.

Only happens when central heating comes on.

I've googled it and found that usually it's ball valve either in the toilet or the fill tank in the loft.. It's not the toilet in my case, so I guess it would be full tank in the loft (will get up there after after work to check).

Question is: is it hard to change that ball valve? As I never done any plumbing stuff, but at same time don't want to get landlord calling plumbers to fix it if I can do it myself without waiting around or making much mess

Would anyone recommend any particular replacing parts? Like to change whole thing or does it only need a certain part replacing? Any recommendations on which one (brand/style etc)

Any help would be appreciated...gonna tackle it after work lol

[Ekona]

Piece of cake, assuming the valves hold.

 

Just buy a whole new float valve, they're cheap enough not to worry about just replacing bits of it. It'll come with the correct washers, or it should do anyway: If not, ask your merchant to give them to you as well. Simply isolate the water supply, then using a couple of adjustable spanners or grips or whatever you have to hand, undo the nut connecting the feed pipe to the valve. Careful when you remove it, as there will likely be a small red fibre washer you really don't want to lose! If you want to get a spare, not the worst idea, it's called a tap connector fibre washer.

 

Then using the spanners, undo the two nuts either side of the tank wall holding the valve in place. Pull it out, noting which side the washer/s is/are (one is fine, should be the wet side of the wall, some plumbers like to use two so one either side, neither is wrong), then simply reassemble the new one in exactly the same way. You want the nuts holding the valve in place to be quite right, but assuming they're plastic don't go mad as you can strip the threads.

 

Do the nut up on the feed pipe, remembering that little red washer, then turn back on. You'll almost certainly have to adjust the valve to get the correct water height in the tank, this may be done either at the end of the arm near the ball OR at the end nearest the tank wall. Either way it'll be two nuts, one to adjust and one to lock, it's very obvious what you'll need to do.

 

If you want to grab a pic of the old and the new, I can talk you through it more accurately if you like.

[Ekona]

Oh, no real brand to worry about, I couldn't even name a brand! Just whatever your local merchant has will be fine. It'll be a half inch float valve you're asking for, with float and washers. You can reuse the float if it's not broken, but for about 50p why would you?

[Vlad]

That's awesome advise, thanks Dan!

Sounds like pretty straight forward and will have a go tonight, if I can get to screw fix in time lol And yea, will be buying whole thing as looks like they are quite cheap.

Do I need to cut water supply to whole house or just to that part? Sorry, probably very stupid question

[Vlad]

Also I can see there are different types of the valve...side entry, bottom entry etc.

do we know which one I need or do I need to check physically?

Or I suppose I can buy both and just return one lol

[MIGWEL]

Hi viad. It should be a side entry. I havent read all the above posts so appologies if someone has already mentioned that if you hold the float arm and simply move it up and down repeatedly a few times this can also solve it But best to fit new. They are a simple fix. Good luck

[Commander]

Just take a photo or ten and show it to the bloke in the shop, they're usually very helpful.

 

A bit of PTFE tape never hurts either.

[Vlad]

Thanks all

I don't have a photo yet and was gonna pop down to screwfix or similar on the way home, before they shut, but I'm sure they will know what to give me

[Stutopia]

Relax, we can definitely do plumbing … plumbing’s just … Lego isn’t it? Water-Lego.

[BobbyZ]

Sounds like the sort of job that I convince myself I can do, and which I should definitely be able to do, but something always goes wrong and I end up throwing a tantrum.

[Vlad]

Hahaha what potentially can go wrong? Apart from flooding house from the loft?

[Ekona]

A bit of PTFE tape never hurts either.

You should never use PTFE on threaded connections like this, as that's not where they're designed to seal. The washers will be fine

[Fodder]

Is it just me who thinks you should be phoning the landlord to sort it?

 

What happens if you fix it but a few months down the line there is a more serious problem and its noted you have done some unauthorised work?

Or it goes pear shaped and he needs to get someone in anyway?

 

You could be liable for some expensive bills. Call the landlord, his problem.

[ioneabee]

Vlad - you're the tenant

 

DO NOT touch it without express permission from the landlord

[Vlad]

Nah, I asked her and she said it's ok.

I don't mind doing something like this...saves us all time and it's not that expensive. If it was something big or expensive - I would've let them to sort it.

[Fodder]

I'd still be wary. As I said if it goes pear shaped OR something related fails in a few months time you carried out the repairs you would be liable.

 

Also how do you know she isn't going to deny all knowledge of the conversation when it comes to getting your deposit back.... Honestly she will (should anyway) have insurance for things like this and you could also be invalidating that too.

[chirag1988]

Guys I think we're making a mountain out of a molehill - we tinker with cars all the time, and changing a ball valve in water tank isn't a big job at all. Like Dan described you just isolate the water supply, take off the old valve and fit a new one, turn water back on and job done.

 

Only avoid if you genuinely have 2 left hands

[Renegade]

The central heating coming on would not cause a ballcock problem.

 

The ballcock will only open to let water into the header tanks, when water is being taken from them.

 

All that should happen when you turn the heating on is, boiler fires up any control valves open and pump comes on.

[Vlad]

I'd still be wary. As I said if it goes pear shaped OR something related fails in a few months time you carried out the repairs you would be liable.

 

Also how do you know she isn't going to deny all knowledge of the conversation when it comes to getting your deposit back.... Honestly she will (should anyway) have insurance for things like this and you could also be invalidating that too.

I completely see what you saying and inderstand that. We are on a good terms, so this won't cause any problems and I have text message to prove if needed

[Vlad]

Guys I think we're making a mountain out of a molehill - we tinker with cars all the time, and changing a ball valve in water tank isn't a big job at all. Like Dan described you just isolate the water supply, take off the old valve and fit a new one, turn water back on and job done.

 

Only avoid if you genuinely have 2 left hands

That lol I believe im ok with DIY stuff

Edited November 29, 2015 by Vlad

[Vlad]

The central heating coming on would not cause a ballcock problem.

 

The ballcock will only open to let water into the header tanks, when water is being taken from them.

 

All that should happen when you turn the heating on is, boiler fires up any control valves open and pump comes on.

Well, I only go from what specialists on the Google "told" me

I will get in the loft straight after work and will see where exactly it's coming from. I do hope it's a float valve as already got one and looks like it's quite easy to change lol

[BobbyZ]

Should I bring the popcorn, guys?

[Ekona]

You don't have an air valve in the loft on the heating pipe work somewhere, by any chance? Will look like a small copper or brass header tank with a small nipple on it, will be the highest point in the system usually.

[Vlad]

You don't have an air valve in the loft on the heating pipe work somewhere, by any chance? Will look like a small copper or brass header tank with a small nipple on it, will be the highest point in the system usually.

Will look for it when I get up there.

If I do, what its for and what do I do with it?

You think that might leak and when air escapes it makes whistle noise? Or?

[Vlad]

Should I bring the popcorn, guys?

Well if plumbing and pipes floats your boat - then be my guest