Changing hot basin tap in downstairs wc with and immersion heater/backboiler

[evilkensdad]

Hi all,

Ive got to change a downstairs wc hot basin tap for my mother in law.

She has an old back boiler in the living room and an immersion heater in an upstairs bedroom.

Was just wondering, will i need to switch the boiler off, and drain down the entire immersion heater to accomplish the tap change?

Many thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

:wink_smile:

 

[steadyon]

1. Check the hot tap pipework, there may already be an isolation valve fitted. If so, just turn off and change tap.

2. If no isolation valve, then you need to shut off the hot supply. Its almost certainly a traditional system with cold water storage cistern (CWSC) in loft and hot water cylinder (HWC) in airing cupboard. If so there will be a pipe leading from the base of the CWSC to the bottom of the HWC. This pipe is likely to have a gate valve (red disc handle). Shut this off by turning clockwise facing the handle until it will turn no more. This shuts off the cold supply to the HWC, and in turn the hot supply from the HWC. Turn on tap in WC to drain pipework (shouldn't be much) then change tap, using old towels or a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining water in pipework.

Gate valve mentioned above may be stiff. If so, take disc handle off and try and turn with a spanner applied to the flats of the spindle. If its really stiff you may have to get someone in to change the valve. Its also possible that when closed it will be difficult to open again. Same remedy, but again if it won't open, get it changed. When opening it, open fully (until handle won't go anti-clockwise any more) and then close by half a turn. Sometimes helps them not to get so stiff again.

 

[evilkensdad]

Cheers steadyon,

thought that might be the case, i dont have much experience with old style systems,

No valve below tap unfortunately, so i'll isolate the cold supply to HWC and drain down, then replace both taps (remebering to isolate cold supply in also lol) and replace with isolating valves below new taps.

Many thanks for confirming what i thought i already knew but was filled with self doubt and had to check with someone more confident lol!

Kev.