D
Desmond
Building Description
A new (23 years old) 1 story small block of 7 flats. water enters the building and distributed to each flat from a communal cupboard on the ground floor. From here the water to my flat can be turned off via a stopcock(1) at this location.
Water enters my flat which is located on the first floor near the front door ina small cupboard. this is the location within my flat another stopcock(2) is located.
Issues with the stopcock (2) Location
Historically we have always had problems with the stopcock.
Events
Before leaving for 2 week holiday we would turn off the water at the stopcock(2).
On return we would turn the stopcock back on and notice the water pressure was much lower than it was before.
We called in a plumber who suspected that the problem was an airlock but no matter what he did he could not get the pressure back up.
He then suggested that the problem could be the stopcock itself not fully opening so he fitted a new one. which required the mains water Stopcock (1) to be turned off.
To my plumbers amazement when both stopcocks are turn back on there is NO water at all basically panic. Only after about an hour of turning both stopcocks on and off in every combination along with opening and closing all the taps in the flat the water miraculously returns with full pressure.
After this happened I no longer turn off the water when we go holiday.
Until today. The toilet Flush Value developed a fault and would not cut off the water supply when the bowl was full of water and needed to be replaced. It should be to simply isolate the unit using the isolate valve and replace unit but the isolate valve was faulty and need be replaced.
Which required the problematic stopcock to be turned off. A dread came over me but the plumber had no such fear.
Repairs in toilet completed in no time and stopcock turned back on and again low pressure.
We had to repeat everything that is described above again. new stopcock, resulting NO water, and eventually the water returning full pressure.
I have vowed to never turn that valve off again. I will consider selling the property before I touch it.
Both Plumbers who experienced the issues have no idea what the problem could be.
So I would be grateful if anybody has any theories what causes this series of events.
A new (23 years old) 1 story small block of 7 flats. water enters the building and distributed to each flat from a communal cupboard on the ground floor. From here the water to my flat can be turned off via a stopcock(1) at this location.
Water enters my flat which is located on the first floor near the front door ina small cupboard. this is the location within my flat another stopcock(2) is located.
Issues with the stopcock (2) Location
Historically we have always had problems with the stopcock.
Events
Before leaving for 2 week holiday we would turn off the water at the stopcock(2).
On return we would turn the stopcock back on and notice the water pressure was much lower than it was before.
We called in a plumber who suspected that the problem was an airlock but no matter what he did he could not get the pressure back up.
He then suggested that the problem could be the stopcock itself not fully opening so he fitted a new one. which required the mains water Stopcock (1) to be turned off.
To my plumbers amazement when both stopcocks are turn back on there is NO water at all basically panic. Only after about an hour of turning both stopcocks on and off in every combination along with opening and closing all the taps in the flat the water miraculously returns with full pressure.
After this happened I no longer turn off the water when we go holiday.
Until today. The toilet Flush Value developed a fault and would not cut off the water supply when the bowl was full of water and needed to be replaced. It should be to simply isolate the unit using the isolate valve and replace unit but the isolate valve was faulty and need be replaced.
Which required the problematic stopcock to be turned off. A dread came over me but the plumber had no such fear.
Repairs in toilet completed in no time and stopcock turned back on and again low pressure.
We had to repeat everything that is described above again. new stopcock, resulting NO water, and eventually the water returning full pressure.
I have vowed to never turn that valve off again. I will consider selling the property before I touch it.
Both Plumbers who experienced the issues have no idea what the problem could be.
So I would be grateful if anybody has any theories what causes this series of events.
