How to identify dripping tap.

[cheddarman]

Our kitchen mixer tap has started dripping. Like so much of the plumbing in our almost new build bungalow, it is lacking! The plumber didn't install any isolating cocks in the H&C feed to the tap so how can I identify which of the valves is passing? Shut the whole H&C water system down?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Which one do you use most ? Or change both as same age

 

[cheddarman]

Which one do you use most ? Or change both as same age

I appreciate thatShaun but how do I isolate the blinking thing, there are no stop cocks in the supply pipes!!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I appreciate thatShaun but how do I isolate the blinking thing, there are no stop cocks in the supply pipes!!

Turn the water mains off ?

 

[cheddarman]

Turn the water mains off ?

Ha! Sounds easy but I did and it made no difference!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Might run for 5 mins so leave it open eg tap for 5 mins

 

[Timmy D]

Turn stopcock off. That should stop cold.

If you’ve a combi boiler, turn it off, the cold stopcock will also stop the hot. Open kitchen tap hot and cold, then open upstairs bathroom hot and cold. Water will stop after a min.

If you’ve got a hot water tank. If an unvented/mains pressure, same as above.

If gravity, fed from loft tank, you need to isolate the cold feed to the cylinder. Either valve near cylinder, or in loft on cold feed to cylinder pipe.

 

[cheddarman]

Turn stopcock off. That should stop cold.

If you’ve a combi boiler, turn it off, the cold stopcock will also stop the hot. Open kitchen tap hot and cold, then open upstairs bathroom hot and cold. Water will stop after a min.

If you’ve got a hot water tank. If an unvented/mains pressure, same as above.

If gravity, fed from loft tank, you need to isolate the cold feed to the cylinder. Either valve near cylinder, or in loft on cold feed to cylinder pipe.

Thanks Timmy. We're a bungalow so ours is a totally closed system, heated from an Air Source Heat Pump and pressurised by the mains water pressure I guess . Cylinder in airing cupboard.
If I turn off the mains I guess it will take quite a while for the system to de pressurise and stop flowing.
If I'm going to do that I will try to fit stop cocks in each tap supply line but they are very tight against the back of the fitted kitchen cupboard they're in.

 

[cheddarman]

My intention is to drain the system and then insert a couple of compression fit stop cocks in the supply pipes to the tap.
Do I need to use any kind of sealant when fitting these valves?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Or use these if your new tap comes with swivel flexis

Flat Faced Male Straight Isolating Valve

This flat-face valve provides a flat face for flexible hoses with swivel nuts. This protects the hose washer from damage and prevents leaks. Also available in 1/2" (code 95064) and 3/8" (code 38483) sizes.Angled valves are also available (code 31424) and (code 53270).

www.toolstation.com

 

[cheddarman]

Thanks everybody for the help, job done. The problem was that the mains shut-off valve was sticking, not shutting completely. Moved it on and off a few times and it sealed properly.
With water off and pressure released, installed two isolating valves in the kitchen taps so can now repair one or tother!

 

[Timmy D]

Thanks Timmy. We're a bungalow so ours is a totally closed system, heated from an Air Source Heat Pump and pressurised by the mains water pressure I guess . Cylinder in airing cupboard.
If I turn off the mains I guess it will take quite a while for the system to de pressurise and stop flowing.
If I'm going to do that I will try to fit stop cocks in each tap supply line but they are very tight against the back of the fitted kitchen cupboard they're in.

Can you turn off the supply to just the cylinder, then open hot tap to drain hot system.

If it continues to drip, its the cold.

Either way, i always replace cartridges in pairs.

 

[Timmy D]

Thanks everybody for the help, job done. The problem was that the mains shut-off valve was sticking, not shutting completely. Moved it on and off a few times and it sealed properly.
With water off and pressure released, installed two isolating valves in the kitchen taps so can now repair one or tother!
View attachment 94233

Good job, in future, use full bore lever valves with a packing nut. Whenever I have to use these screwdriver valves, theres a 50/50 chance it will leak and need replacing.