We have very high water meter readings any ideas please?

[Gary111]

Thanks, is it easier/ quicker to get the float valve repair kits or replace the float valves ?

 

[denso13]

Thanks, is it easier/ quicker to get the float valve repair kits or replace the float valves ?

Whatever you are more comfortable with, could just be washers.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks, is it easier/ quicker to get the float valve repair kits or replace the float valves ?

It may prove to be a similar amount of work, it depends on the condition, and age, of your present valves. Complete valves, are not expensive, and a certain fix, but a replacement washer is just a few pence.

 

[numpty1]

two of these will make it safer......

Part 2 Brass Ball Valve

Part 2 float valve to BS1212 with ½" BSP thread. WRAS approval number 1212130. Available for immediate dispatch from Plumb Spares Direct

www.plumbsparesdirect.com

 

[JohnD]

I can't see that you tied up the float valves as I suggested.

Where did you turn the water off?

When you put your thumb over the bathroom tap spouts, you can hold back the flow of hot water. Can you hold back the flow of cold as easily?

How old is your hot-water cylinder? Or, what colour is it?

 

[Gary111]

Hi John, thanks for your message, I’m trying to limit the amount of times I go in the loft so I turned the stop tap inside the house off, the point was to see if the water level in the tank was going down so I thought it would have the same effect.

I think the cylinder is around 20 years old, it’s got yellow insulation. The plumber that fitted it also fitted a thermostat to it.

Putting my thumb over the bathroom tap, the hot feels less pressure.

I’ve replaced the washer in one of the tank fill valves since I had one in the garage.

I’ve shoved a hosepipe the length of the overflow pipe but it doesn’t seem to be draining out, I’m wondering if I should join it to the other overflow pipe which hopefully works?

 

[Alec_t]

I’ve shoved a hosepipe the length of the overflow pipe but it doesn’t seem to be draining out

Well your middle pic shows the water level right up to the overflow, so if the water's not draining out through that where has it been going?

 

[Gary111]

I think the pipe is just blocked. I had some cowboy fascia fitters who cut the pipes flush because it looked neater.
It felt like when I was pushing the hosepipe down it came to a hard stop.

 

[Gary111]

Another thing is my wife insists the shower pressure is lower maybe I should get a pressure gauge?

 

[JohnD]

Hi John, thanks for your message, I’m trying to limit the amount of times I go in the loft so I turned the stop tap inside the house off, the point was to see if the water level in the tank was going down so I thought it would have the same effect.

Tying up the float valves SHOULD mean that they are closed and no water enters through them. If water drips or runs out then you know the float valve is passing. If they are not at fault there is no need to replace them.

Turning off the water SHOULD mean that no water is entering the house. So it should mean that the tanks do not fill* Yours did, so perhaps the stopcock you turned did not shut off all water supply. This might be because the stopcock is faulty, or it might be that it it does not turn off all water. For example, it might not turn off water to some or all cold taps. You can check that by turning it off, and then trying the kitchen, and also the bathroom, cold taps. If the cold supply is still on, it can cause water to leak into the hot pipes if you have a faulty mixer tap or shower. This is more likely if the pressure in the cold taps is higher than the hot taps, which you suggest it might be. Your thumb should clearly tell you.

*In the event that you have two or more cold tanks, it is possible for water to travel from the higher to the lower. This sometimes happens in an old or faulty hot water cylinder. You says yours has yellow insulation, so it is probably around 30 years old. It may be the source.

Please verify that your stopcock turned off ALL water. Please tie up both the floats and see if either still runs or drips.