Plumbers done job but left a leak....

[Raff]

Plumber came round 3-4 weeks ago to repair strange noise coming from the cold water tank in the attic he made some adjustment to the water float and the noise has gone, but I double checked to make sure no leak this morning and sadly see a drip on the outside of the cold water tank.

It must be very little since only a few drops on the floor under it.

Here is the pics:

http://oi61.tinypic.com/16b0vic.jpg

http://oi59.tinypic.com/90bx5i.jpg

Can I tighten that hexa nut myself ? what direction shall I do it or can I apply some type of sealant paste ?

Sounds like a waste of time to get that plumber If I can do it myself so welcome any input cheers !

 

[chris watkins]

Hi Raff
Yes, turn off the stop valve below & try just nipping up the hex nut on the bent tap con, you may need to just hold against yourself either hand or spanner on the float valve inside the tank to stop it all from turning.
Turn back on & test, if that fails, turn off & undo the tap con hex nut completely put a couple of turns of PTFE tape on the point where the washer meets the float valve. That should sort it !!

It is always righty - tighty, lefty - loosy.

Hope that helps

 

[Raff]

Thanks for the tips yeah will give it a go with tightening first, ill have to remember that one righty-tighty lefty-loosy !

think ill put some kitchen paper towels at bottom to see water marks and check again frequently just in case !

 

[chris watkins]

Thanks for the tips yeah will give it a go with tightening first, ill have to remember that one righty-tighty lefty-loosy !

think ill put some kitchen paper towels at bottom to see water marks and check again frequently just in case !

We had to make that one up for the "fitters" as they could never remember, bless 'em, it was half way through their second year & you would still see ,em saying it under their breath, before the spanner went in.

You will not need the paper, Raff, not after instructions like mine! LOL

 

[Raff]

Sadly another problem has occured

I did righty tighty and could tell it was getting a bit more stronger so did not overtight it that seems to be ok but now am getting a vibrating and rumbling noise coming from the water tank whenever we use the water downstairs!

I had this issue originally when the plumber came out and said it was the water float was not in line with the water causing the vibrations he made a quick adjustment that took a minute and it went.

So I think either me tighting that bolt has caused it to go back to before, perhaps its the bolts on the inside that need tighting or I have to double check the float sticking on the end of that pipe in the cold water tank.

Any suggestions what to do next?

 

[ederz]

You've probably turned the whole valve round so it's not straight which will cause vibration. Call the plumber back to sort. In the meantime either keep a close eye on the drip or isolate the tank at the valve 6 inches below.

 

[REDSAW]

Lucy should have mentioned to make sure the ball drops straight down in the tank and is unhindered as this will keep the valve slightly open causing'chatting'




.....well done ederz

 

[chris watkins]

Sadly another problem has occured

I did righty tighty and could tell it was getting a bit more stronger so did not overtight it that seems to be ok but now am getting a vibrating and rumbling noise coming from the water tank whenever we use the water downstairs!

I had this issue originally when the plumber came out and said it was the water float was not in line with the water causing the vibrations he made a quick adjustment that took a minute and it went.

So I think either me tighting that bolt has caused it to go back to before, perhaps its the bolts on the inside that need tighting or I have to double check the float sticking on the end of that pipe in the cold water tank.

Any suggestions what to do next?

Raff you naughty boy you didn't follow my instructions did you, what happened to "holding against yourself to stop the float valve from turning inside the tank" (cistern) ?

Take the lid off & check the float valve, as others have said make sure it is inline so it goes up & down smoothly. Get someone to operate a tap & watch / listen to happens & let us know. If it is still not working.

 

[Paulplumb]

Looking at the swivel elbow that leak has been going on a long while. Just change the float valve and be done with it.

 

[jase158]

ignore all other advice and change valve, make sure it is high pressure one otherwise you will get even worse noise

 

[Raff]

Yes you guys are right I thought I could just turn that bolt and be done with it !

I did not have 2 spanners that could go on both ends to support the bit on the inside tank

It got worse sadly I looked inside the tank and it was turned around so I turned it straight and level thinking it was ok but now pushing the ball valve down is having no effect water is filling straight to top.

Either way I called round the company that sent the last plumber just 3 weeks back and they are sending another guy round so ill explain to him its overflowing outside and a leak was occurring on the floor, hopefully the guy can fix it !

For now ive shut it off and the only good news is its not leaking from outside the tank anymore lol

 

[SimonG]

You paid for a job, its not right, get them back to fix it. Sorted.

Sometimes poop happens.

 

[kris]

Hey raff your still getting the noise because the plumber sadly hasnt fixed initial problem , all he done was bend the float to put more pressure on the diaphragm, so the diaphragm will need to be replaced, you could manage this yourself, just shut the water off and if you put your hand on the float then run your hand along the stem the first nut you come to slacken that until the float n stem comes away , this will then reveal a black diaphragm washer , just replace and reconnect , jobs a good un, personally i wouldnt bother with the lazy plumber as not worth wasting a phone call on, good luck

There are 2 different types of ballcocks so heres the older style for reference,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxV2BMKIPqs

 

[Raff]

Thanks all for the replies the guys on route should be here bit later so will see how it goes its free anyhow and they may send another bloke with any luck!

Yes Kris I suspect he perhaps did a quick job because I was holding the ladder just in case as he went up in the attic he literally used his 2 spanners and spent 20 seconds with them and back down saying its fixed. Does sound like he perhaps did a quicky or bent that float as you say.

Thanks that video was highly detailed ! but should that plumber not have checked the piping behind the tank to see if it was leaking like it was in mine

 

[Raff]

Guy came (different bloke) and first thing he said was the previous bloke should have just replaced the ball valve anyhow.

I told him not sure the guy said hes been doing it for 40 years perhaps he just gave up

Took 10 minutes he said he replaced the washer also and fitted a new ball valve, showed me exactly what he done on the old one and even told me if you have a bath and find your running out of water you can adjust it higher by loosening the bolt and move it up. Other wise he recommended I get a plumber out to do something called laggle of my hot water pipe since it was close to the ball valve and it may cause a ratting noise also.

But never heard such a thing for 20 years so will see how it goes otherwise he recommended to keep an eye on any leaks and ring up if it occurs, otherwise thanks to all seems job done!

 

[MC_Bob]

Sure he didnt say 'lag all' of your pipes.
Not sure on laggle lol!