I've been reading all the previous posts on this forum to try to find a fix for my problem, but I could do with some pointers to ensure I apply the correct one!
Yesterday I drained the cold water tanks (two tanks are syphoned together) and removed the front one to access the other one behind it. I then fixed my original problem - a ball valve that wasn't shutting off.
I've replaced everything and added a gate valve between the two tanks. I also opened the gate valve between the front tank and the gravity fed hot water cylinder (heated by immersion heater and solid fuel fire).
During the process of spotting leaks and fixing, I accidentally left the gate valve between the two tanks closed. Leaving the dish washer on overnight (which is currently connected to a hot water feed - next job on the list; connect to cold) the nearest tank was emptied and therefore so was the hot water cylinder.
I have opened all valves and I now have hot taps that run for a short while (spluttering sometimes) and then slow to a stop.
My questions:
1) How do I know if the gate valve between the front tank and the hot water cylinder is opened properly (I have tried opening and closing a few times and it *feels* like it's working)? It doesn't look very old, but I have read on here that this could be a problem.
2) How likely is it that a gate valve has failed? There doesn't seem to be a lot that could go wrong.
3) If I have an air lock, should I try one of these methods:
a) Connect the hot and cold washing machine feeds together and force cold water into the cylinder? (Leaving a hot tap on)
b) Switch the immersion heater ON (there's no thermostat) and boil the cylinder to remove air through the pressure pipe in the roof.
Any other ideas or suggestions?
Thanks,
James
Update: Every few seconds a bubble of air can be seen in the cold water tank from the pipe that feeds the hot water cylinder.
Yesterday I drained the cold water tanks (two tanks are syphoned together) and removed the front one to access the other one behind it. I then fixed my original problem - a ball valve that wasn't shutting off.
I've replaced everything and added a gate valve between the two tanks. I also opened the gate valve between the front tank and the gravity fed hot water cylinder (heated by immersion heater and solid fuel fire).
During the process of spotting leaks and fixing, I accidentally left the gate valve between the two tanks closed. Leaving the dish washer on overnight (which is currently connected to a hot water feed - next job on the list; connect to cold) the nearest tank was emptied and therefore so was the hot water cylinder.
I have opened all valves and I now have hot taps that run for a short while (spluttering sometimes) and then slow to a stop.
My questions:
1) How do I know if the gate valve between the front tank and the hot water cylinder is opened properly (I have tried opening and closing a few times and it *feels* like it's working)? It doesn't look very old, but I have read on here that this could be a problem.
2) How likely is it that a gate valve has failed? There doesn't seem to be a lot that could go wrong.
3) If I have an air lock, should I try one of these methods:
a) Connect the hot and cold washing machine feeds together and force cold water into the cylinder? (Leaving a hot tap on)
b) Switch the immersion heater ON (there's no thermostat) and boil the cylinder to remove air through the pressure pipe in the roof.
Any other ideas or suggestions?
Thanks,
James
Update: Every few seconds a bubble of air can be seen in the cold water tank from the pipe that feeds the hot water cylinder.