Stuck isolating tap.

[bluenun20]

I want to take the old bath out to fit a new one.

In the airing cupboard there are 2 red circular isolating taps/valves.

The one I don't need to turn off works fine, I can open it and close it no problem.

The one I need to turn off will only move a tiny amount each way.
I have tried for ages turning it back and forth with no luck.

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Wd40 and balls of steel.

 

[bluenun20]

Ok, I have just sprayed it with WD40, will let it soak it for a while and add some more later.

I wondered if there was a special tool to put in between the gaps of the red circular handle and get more leverage that way.

 

[leakydave]

Gate valves are crap. For peace of mind change it for a lever valve...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-ball-valve-red-22mm/45277

 

[JohnD]

too late now, but a useful tip, with stop-cocks and gate valves that are often left open for years on end, is to wind them fully open, than back a quarter-turn or so. Reduces the probability that they will seize.

 

[bluenun20]

I have got the valve free and have closed it off but it does not shut the water off.

I tried it both ways to make sure.

I live in a bungalow and can see the pipe come into the airing cupboard from the tank in the loft, after the valve the pipe goes through the wall to the cold tap on the bath but the flow is not even reduced.

I can only guess that even though the handle is free the inside must be stuck open.

I have a couple of picture in my album.

 

[Nige F]

I can only guess that even though the handle is free the inside must be stuck open.

I have a couple of picture in my album.

Spot on there could be worse- stuck shut.

 

[longdogs]

I can only guess that even though the handle is free the inside must be stuck open.

I have a couple of picture in my album.

Spot on there could be worse- stuck shut.

Bung the water tank and replace it. You may need to turn it off in a hurry one day.

 

[bluenun20]

Yes I could try to replace it with one of those leakydave mentioned.

Excuse my ignorance, when you say 'bung the water tank', do you mean tie up the ballcock and empty the tank or block the whole with something?

 

[JohnD]

you can get conical rubber bungs on the plumbing tools shelf. They are pushed into the open ends of the pipes at the supply side and they will prevent water running down the pipe.

You will probably find them packed in pairs, with some string to tie them together and help you recover them from the bottom of the tank. you also have to plug the vent pipe.

Tie up the float valve first, in case of leakage. When you open the tap, the pressure of water in the tank will push the bung against the hole.

 

[bluenun20]

Thanks John, I will try to buy a couple of those conical rubber bungs.

I have been searching on google and ebay to see if I can find a picture of the bungs so I know I am buying the correct ones at a plumbers merchants but nothing comes up.

 

[ree]

OP, dont mess about buying bungs and attempting to fit them while balancing yourself in a dark loft.

Simply turn the main stop-cock off, and then drain down past your gate valves, having first determined what these gate valves are isolating.

Then replace the gate valves with full bore compression ball valves eg. about £6/ea at screwfix.

Re-fill very, very slowly.

Its possible that you have snapped off the spindle in the stubborn gate valve.