Shower won't turn off!

[JonY]

Hi there

I have a manual mixer shower with an exposed valve which won't switch off. Unfortunately, I don't know the make and model - the closest I could find on the web is the Gainsborough Royale Antique.

Last night, when I turned the handle back to the off position it clunked and carried on turning and so the water won't stop flowing.

I've turned the valve in the airing cupboard which has reduced the flow from the shower to a trickle, but I can't get it to stop completely.

Can anyone offer any assistance before I seek a plumber?

 

[JohnD]

a photo will help

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=129539

is it mains pressure or are both hot and cold fed from a tank?

 

[seco services]

sounds like the flow control spindles worn/damaged and they snap.

 

[JonY]

Apologies for the delay.

I've ordered a new mixer valve to replace the old.

My next queries is:- the hot and cold water are both fed from a tank (open vented indirect system). The main water shut-off valve under the kitchen sink is stuck solid, so to stop the cold water could I simply tie the ball-cock to a piece of wood and then drain the tank?

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, no problems with that.
You can also bung up the tank outlet if thats easier.
If you're lucks in, you won't get any air locks either!
John

 

[seco services]

long term the answer would be sort the kitchen stocpcock out cause
oneday your going to need it in a hurry.

drain the tank or bung the outlets in the tank
then fit some isolation valves on the shower outlets etc
saves all this mucking about.

 

[JonY]

Thanks, guys.

I've been putting WD-40 on the main stopcock for the last couple of days to see if that'll free it up.

I have a valve for the hot water before it enters the shower valve, but it's still trickling through. Where else could I stop the hot water?

 

[seco services]

if your going to drain the tank for the cold water that is also the same tank that supplies the cylinder so draining the loft tank will stop them both.

 

[JonY]

OK, thanks.

I guess then if I drain/bung the tank, I could then drain the cylinder by simply opening the hot water valve to the shower until no more hot water came out?

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, thats correct...opening other hot taps will drain down quicker.
I guess your shower stop valve is a gate type - they often let water by.
For the main stopcock, undo the small gland nut hexagon just below the turn handle - and get some WD in there. When replacement comes, its often easier to replace the stopcock internals rather than the whole thing.
John