leaking pipe from water tank in loft

[sijh]

Can anyone help please.

I have no plumbing knowledge and will explain in simple terms.

I have two water tanks in loft (big and little)
Coming from the bigger tank the pipe that feeds outside is dripping onto our patio. Sometimes its a slow constant dripping and then it can seem to stop altogether. Its quite bad and has filled a bucket in the last few days. In this big tank there is a white tap that is constantly refilling the tank. (even when Ive no taps turned on in the house)

In the small tank when Ive been up in the loft doesnt seem to be doing anything. (i.e no water being fed back in)

Should both the tanks be refilling constantly?

Hope that makes sense.
Can anyone help please. What might be the cause and how to rectify.
thank you

Simon

 

[PlumbBobBob]

hi simon
what is happening is that your ball cock needs looking at by a plumber, it sounds very much like the washer needs replacing because it shouldn't be running all the time, only when an amount of water is drawn off from a tap in your house then only to replace what was used.

steve

 

[sijh]

Thanks Steve

Yes, ive just been up into the loft this morning and in the larger tank there is a slow drip which is coming from where the washer is.

When I gently lift the ball cock (only slightly) the dripping stops.

Simon

 

[PlumbBobBob]

simon
you deffo need a new washer at the very least. did you say the inlet was white as in plastic? if so i would replace the whole unit with a brass one, they are more robust and last longer.
steve

 

[sijh]

Steve, yes its white and plastic.

Do you think its something easy that I can do myself. ( a trip to b & q)
I'm nipping up into the loft again now for another look to see if it looks straight forward to replace.


I appreciate your help.
Simon

Turned off the water at the mains and ran all the taps till they stopped running water(this has stopped any water running in the tank) from the white inlet.

It looks awkward to get the old ball cock off though.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

simon
no it is pretty straightforward to change the ballcock. on the outside of the tank you have two nuts, one on the tank itself and one on the water pipe connecting to the ballcock. firstly make double sure the main stopcock is off (don't want any accidents!!) loosen the nut on the water pipe, have plenty of towels to catch any water before it goes through the ceiling, don't take off completely yet. loosen and undo the nut on the tank at the back of the ballcock holding onto the ballcock with one hand as you do it. when that is done you can undo the water connection and remove the old plastic one and replace with the new one. you should be able to swap the ball on the end of the arm to the new one. actually i would get a new ball at the same time just in case the old one doesn't fit. replacing is just the reverse of removal, making sure that all joints are nice and tight. you can adjust the arm of the new ballcock by slightly bending it down to give a slightly lower level in the tank.
hope this helps
steve

 

[dontknowitall]

sijh

steveb's described the process well and it's not that difficult to change a ball valve.

For explanation the large tank is your cold water storage cistern. Usually (though not always) the water mains comes into the house and a pipe runs to your kitchen sink for your category 1 (potable) water supply. This pipe is tee'd up to your cold water storage cistern.

When you use water for a loo or bath etc, the water tank replenishes what's used. The incoming supply then replensishes the tank when the ball valve drops.

The large pipe bent over your cold water storage cistern is the expansion/vent pipe from your hot water cylinder. If this malfunctions, the expanded water climbs up the pipe and feeds into the cold water. When this overflows it falls through the warning/overflow pipe on to your patio. It's here so you're aware of a problem (as opposed to being hidden into a gutter or downpipe). All this is for safety purposes.

The small tank is for your central heating system and usually there's not much water in it. It is there in case your central heating fails and again, a large pipe will be above it which is the expansion/vent pipe from your central heating (usually from near the hot water cylinder). If you bleed the radiators, water is taken from this F&E (feed and expansion) tank. The ball valve drops and more water flows into the tank then into the central heating system.

If something goes wrong with the heating the expanded water will fill this tank then overflow (presumably on to your patio again).

You have two tanks because the central heating and hot/cold water systems are kept separate. When you see the colour of the water coming out of a radiator you'll be glad they are separate!

If you do a google image search for central heating systems, there are quite a few useful pictures to explain what happens.

 

[REDSAW]

nice bread and butter jobs to me these are (ballcock replacement).
although i have no poblem in helping explain things to those i ask (if i can), i think it would be a good service for those who are not sure, to ask for a plumber in their area from this site to pop round for say 10% ge3nuine discount for using this site?
what do you think.

 

[impman]

Hallo,
I have a similar problem with my cold water storage tank, although it`s still in my bedroom where the council fitted it years ago. I also have a leaking overflow pipe, 3/4" I reckon. It appears to be in 2 parts, an elbow and a straight section, and the glue used in the assembly has given up the ghost and is running down the pipe. I`ve sealed it in the past but it lasted only about a year. Are there any plumbers in the Bristol area on here that could quote me for a more permanent repair? I won`t be getting a new tank as there is no need and my system works perfectly apart from this annoying leak!

Cheers, Drew

 

[helpsy]

Hi Drew
I sent you a private message
helpsy