Toilet cistern slow to refill + loft water tank making noises / empty?

[tomcorrigan]

Hi there

I live in a single-floor maisonette with a loft. In the loft is our water tank. My toilet is taking an exceptionally long time to fill - I move the ball up and down and it doesn't seem to have any real effect on the amount of water coming into the cistern.

My water tank is persistently making the kind of noises it makes after flushing the toilet. It sounds like water is moving - is it filling? (slowly).

The one thing I have changed recently is I have begun using the cold bath tap to connect a hose to. It was on and running for half of yesterday.

Have I drained my tank?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[justlead1]

Hi. You may well have. Over night the main supply performs better (less demand) so you should be back to normal today?

 

[tomcorrigan]

Thanks. We haven't used any water for over half a day now and the cistern still isn't filling. I tried to have a shower just now and ran out of water. Should my tank and toilet be taking so long to fill?

 

[secret squirrel]

No, is the simple answer. I'd go into the loft and see what the ball valve is doing.

If the tank is full, you probably have a blockage on the cold feed coming out of the tank.

If the tank is empty your ball valve is probably knackered.

 

[joe brown]

Because you have probably never emptied your cistern it could be that the ball valve is stuck so it wont fill or will fill very very slowly, Go to the loft and see if its stuck,try pressing it down

 

[tomcorrigan]

First off - thanks everyone for your messages you've all been very helpful.

I went into the loft. I've never looked inside the tank before and man it's gross. I can't tell if the sides are falling apart or if stuff is growing on them but it's all rough. Not to mention the cobwebs growing around it.

At the top is the ball-valve. Water is trickling from it at a very slow pace. It's no wonder the tank isn't filling at a fast rate. The ball seems functional - if I lift it, it stops for example.

Curiously, coming in above the tank from another side are two pipes and water isn't coming out of either of them.

At the bottom of the tank are various openings that I guess lead to things including the cistern. At only a few inches deep I'm assuming the lack of pressure explains why that is filling up so slowly.

So it looks like I'll be getting a plumber in tomorrow. Unless this seems like an identifiable problem to any of you?

Many thanks again.

 

[justlead1]

Hi,If work on the water main in your area is/has taking place is not unusual for sand etc. to get in the system. Check with water company as they will attend if is there problem. Good Luck

 

[tomcorrigan]

I've spoken with a plumber. He says it sounds like the ball-cock valve needs replacing. He was concerned about the condition of the tank and advises replacing my galvanised steel one with a new plastic one.

How do these quotes sound?

£80 just to fit a new ball-cock valve.
£320 to install a new water tank (including ball-cock valve one would assume)

My inclination is that if I'm spending £80 to fit a bit of plastic in, what's another £240? To replace the whole thing - truth be told I'm a little grossed out after seeign the condition of my steel tank and am not looking forward to my next shower knowing that's where the water comes from!

Are these competitive quotes?

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

i'd be cheaper than that to be honest, sounds like you do need a new tank and ball valve

 

[joe brown]

Yeah id be cheaper than that too, You will defo need a new tank, try not to touch and clean the sides because they can collapse, Ring for a few Quotes, Where are you situated?

 

[tomcorrigan]

I'm in woodford green in essex / NE London. I welcome any quotes from qualified plumbers, thanks. My email address is tomcorrigan AT gmail