No hot water, water tank not filling - oh dear

[Zinger]

Hello, I was changing a few taps about in the bathroom so I went to switch off the water.

- First turned off the cold water supply to the overhead tank
- Next turned the other two valves coming off the hot water boiler off, one had a bit of crusting so I WD40'd it and twisted it, the other seems to twist freely and doesn't seem to close.

The water was still on so I had a look in the cellar, found a tap and switched that off as well. Sorted out the fixings in the bathroom, put all valves and taps back to normal position.

I now have cold water but no hot water and the overhead tank doesn't seem to be filling up (normally you can hear it).

Tried to connect the cold water tap to the hot water tap and see i that pushed out any possible air blocks but no effect.

Any ideas?

Also the three valves around the boiler, one is the cold water control, what are the other two.

Any help would really be appreciated, thanks

 

[seco services]

are you talking about the boiler or hot water cylinder ?

take it the crusty valve was one of these.

 

[Zinger]

The hot water cylinder, fed by the overhead water tank (as is my understanding?).

Yep, thats the valve. Basically it has two of these valves and a tap, the tap i'm certain provides water to the overhead tank. Not sure what the two valves control

 

[seco services]

if the tanks not filling from the ballvalve check the ball valve has dropped and not jammed in the closed position.
if free then the valve/tap maybe jammed/faulty.

as for the red gate valve you closed thats crusty is that located just above the cylinder and the pipe go's down to the base of the cylinder ?

these gate valves are prone to jamming then snapping inside if the red wheel keeps tuning then it's snapped and needs changing.

 

[Zinger]

Checked the ball valve, its dropped and I can move it easily up and down in the tank.

The crusty valve is, like you said, above the cylinder and the pipe goes down to the base of the cylinder. Do you reckon its snapped shut? What exactly does that valve control? and why would that effect the tank filling?

Thanks for your help by the way, i'll buy a replacement valve in the morning and replace it.

 

[seco services]

Checked the ball valve, its dropped and I can move it easily up and down in the tank.

what type of valve is on the pipe to the ball valve ?
is it one of these ?

The crusty valve is, like you said, above the cylinder and the pipe goes down to the base of the cylinder. Do you reckon its snapped shut? What exactly does that valve control? and why would that effect the tank filling?

if it keeps turning it's snapped inside.
that valve controls the water from the tank in loft to fill the cylinder.

you need to get the loft tank (cws) filling first.
it maybe jammed open.

 

[Zinger]

The valve on pipe to the ball valve is like your photo, it seems to be working fine, turns easily and stops at either end.

But opening it or closing it doesn't seem to make a difference, no water comes through and into the tank.

Do you mean jammed closed?

To confirm then:
- the valve (1) as in the recent photo is on the pipe to the overhead tank and is automatically shut off by the ball valve
- the crusty valve (2) as in the first photo is on the pipe from the overhead tank to the hot water cylinder and takes the cold water from the tank and feeds it to the cylinder to give hot water.

My problem is that the overhead tank isn't filling, the ball valve is fine so the valve on that pipe must be broken (even though it appears to lock in either direction) so I should replace that valve?

 

[kevplumb]

next question is

what else have you turned off

 

[Zinger]

Yeah I know, I'm kicking myself for not knowing about the main water valve in the cellar

Anyway everything I switched off, turned off, on, twisted etc is now back to its original position

 

[seco services]

The valve on pipe to the ball valve is like your photo, it seems to be working fine, turns easily and stops at either end.

But opening it or closing it doesn't seem to make a difference, no water comes through and into the tank.

look at the ball valve and where the brass rod has the ball one end and the other end is pivoted on a split pin.
look at that end it should push against a pin, check that pin is popping out when the ball at its lowest position.

Do you mean jammed closed?

yes but you said it's moving and they are useally ok when they are moving freely.
but check what i said above first.

To confirm then:
- the valve (1) as in the recent photo is on the pipe to the overhead tank and is automatically shut off by the ball valve

that stopcock should be left open and the ballvalve will stop the water when the tank is full.

- the crusty valve (2) as in the first photo is on the pipe from the overhead tank to the hot water cylinder and takes the cold water from the tank and feeds it to the cylinder to give hot water.

feeds the cylinder cold water then when in cylinder your boiler can heat it then the hot water will come out the top pipe on the cylinder.

My problem is that the overhead tank isn't filling, the ball valve is fine so the valve on that pipe must be broken (even though it appears to lock in either direction) so I should replace that valve?

check the ball valve pin first then go from their

 

[kevplumb]

you could try slackening the outlet on the stoptap and see if there is water into it

 

[seco services]

you could try slackening the outlet on the stoptap and see if there is water into it

i can just imaging whats going to happen when he slackens that.

 

[kevplumb]

which is why i said outlet can always shut it off sharpish

if need be

 

[seco services]

you just see what happens in these situations
next the foot will be through the bedroom ceiling.

 

[Zinger]

look at the ball valve and where the brass rod has the ball one end and the other end is pivoted on a split pin.
look at that end it should push against a pin, check that pin is popping out when the ball at its lowest position.

Ah, the tank is right up against the ceiling to I can get my hand in there and move the ball valve up and down but can't actually see anything.

Unless there's a less painful way of doing this, i'm going to dismantle the pipes going to the tank, take it down and have a look.