Any plumbers on here?

[dom]

Quick plumbing related problem.

Like a moron I forgot to switch off the water to the outside tap before we had the freezing conditions a few weeks ago until about a week in.

Anyway, had forgotten about it until this afternoon, turned the water back on, went outside and only had a dribble coming out of the tap.

A quick google search suggests the check valve might have been damaged by ice. Am I right in thinking that this is the check valve along with the isolation valve?



If so is it just a case of switching off the water, undoing the two nuts and swapping it for a new one?

[Agreeable Slick]

Looks like a ball valve and a flow regulator screw (same as you see on bog inlets). Uses compression fittings so will depend on how tight they've been done up before as to whether the ferrules are knackered or not. If they are, they might not seal again when re-tightening which you will need some new copper pipe and need it re-brazing.

That is worst case though. Have you checked that there isn't just still a load of frozen water still in the pipes? Giving them a tap should tell you as they will sound different. Also make sure the flat head screw is wound out enough to let a decent amount of flow through.

[Toby]

I'd go to get a 15mm stopcock, and cut in a separate check valve, and get a new outside tap with a check valve! It's a small chance that you will vet get anything going back up, but when a hose is left in a bucket it could allways happen!!

[dom]

Ignore this post.

[dom]

Also the picture above is the isolator valve for the outside tap, when that is open I can hear water begin to flow if the outside tap is turned on, but the water coming out of the tap is only a trickle...

Just to add, I was under the impression that it was a combined isolator and check valve like this one:

http://www.plumbingsuppliesandfittings.co.uk/15_mm_DZR_double_check_valve_with_isolation_valve--product--107.html

[hobbiniho]

if you can hear water flowing but not much is coming out the tap it is more than likely the tap that is actually broken apposed to the valve inside the house, the tap will have frozen solid and damaged the mechanism inside, first thing i would do is turn the water off and dismantle the tap and see if anythings broken

[dom]

if you can hear water flowing but not much is coming out the tap it is more than likely the tap that is actually broken apposed to the valve inside the house, the tap will have frozen solid and damaged the mechanism inside, first thing i would do is turn the water off and dismantle the tap and see if anythings broken

Cheers, will do


**Edit: Just taken the tap off and the water is still just dribbling out of the pipe

[dixie180]

Ok so now you need to find out if you have water coming out of the bottom of the stop valve/check valve.Turn the water off with the black with the black switch.Undo the bottom compression nut and disconnect the copper pipe.Place a container under the stop valve and slowly turn the switch on.If water comes out then the problem is between the stop valve and the outside tap,in other words a blockage in the pipe that goes through the wall.

[Seanl]

I had it last year, but it was the non-return valve seal had dislodged itself causing it to block the water flow. Turn the water off at each stage before what you are about to dismantle, undo the compression joint a bit, then turn on the water again with a bucket underneath if its indoors. That will give you an indication as to where the problem lies, without completely dismantling each part.

[dom]

Cheers guys, I'll try that later this evening