hot water cylinder question, can one of you great people help.

[dgee2040]

i will try that. do i need to take of the handle to turn it with the grips. is there a chance of it breaking off and leaking on me? so is my system a gravity fed cylinder? thanks shaun

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No just use the grips on the red handle part

And with gate valves yes but not to leaking

Looks like a unvented thermal store but fed from a gravity source

 

[Ric2013]

As Shaun says, gate valve could break. Unlikely to leak, but then will be jammed shut. You'd then need to replace it, but that is where you are anyway if it doesn't work.
On a lateral way of thinking, if it's running at a lower pressure, you could potentially leave the lowest tap running and change the other washer above. Waste of water, but hey ho.
If the flow is slow enough, you could even change the tap washer downstairs with it running through the tap you are working on. I have done this before I became a plumber (I now have an internal pipe bung for these occasions).
If you have an assistant that could hold a hand over the tap body while you play with the removed mechanism (to ensure the water runs down the spout as usual) that could be handy. Try to catch the hot water in buckets for a bath after?

 

[dgee2040]

thanks lads i tried the above and got it closed off. the gate valve is sticking etc i think its fecked. got the washer changed. thanks all for taking the time to help.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Did you open the gate valve back up ok ?

TBH best get it changed for a full bore lever valve

 

[dgee2040]

yeah it opened up although it sounds like its on its last legs. so i think i will get that changed. thanks again shaun.

 

[sammathias]

plug the outlet of the tank in attic, jobs a good'un! suprised that gatevalve didnt snap closed. terrible valves.

 

[Ric2013]

Gate valves I feel have an undeservedly bad reputation. I have used ones that are probably 5o years old and working, and ones that have failed entirely in 20. Buy cheap: buy twice.

 

[Moffski72]

An unvented thermal store?
Really?