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www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk Forum Index -> Plumbing Forum
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amdk62
Junior Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:42 am Post subject: How can I isolate the Hot water w/out losing water in tank? |
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| Hello, Apologies I'm a newbie here but I have done alot reading lately :). Basically I want to isolate the hot water from boiler but don't want to drain out all the hot water so I can replace the taps within the house. Is there a way to install an isolating valve from main hot water pipe coming out of the boiler to all the hot water taps within the house pls? If so, how do I find the main pipe? (Because looking at the water tank and cylinder, I can only see the gate valve and several water pipes??) Any advice pls, thx. |
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jason123
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 1239
Location: Stellaville
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:58 am Post subject: |
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Is there a way to install an isolating valve from main hot water pipe coming out of the boiler to all the hot water taps within the house pls?
Sounds like a combi, isolate mains water in coming.
Because looking at the water tank and cylinder, I can only see the gate valve and several water pipes??)
Now sounds like a gravity system, the valve you can see above the cylinder is most likely from the header tank, this gives the hot water system its pressure, shut this valve and the header tank is isolated, open your hot taps and only the water already in the pipes will trickle out.
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Hinton Heating
Gas/Heating Expert
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 4296
Location: Bournemouth
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:26 am Post subject: |
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there is probally a tap on the pipe between the main tank & the cylinder.
Just close this one, then run a tap, it'll only empty the pipes, not the cylinder, as the outlet is at the top.
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amdk62
Junior Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hiya, many thx for above replies. I think my boiler system is a gravity type as it is near enough 20yrs old. (I'm not sure exactly the difference sbetween gravity and combi?) I can't see any other valves in the boiler cupboard only a gate valve which is situated between the cylinder and above water tank, Jason 123 - you said shuting this valve will isolate the cold water from into the hot water tank (correct?) but I have another problem I tried shutting it down by turning it clockwise direction but it won't stop turning after minutes of turnings?? (Is this faulty?)
From reading from the above replies I got an impression that I still have drained out all hot water before replacing the old taps? So shutting down the gate valve is the same as shuting down the stopcock water tap (main water supply into house), pls confirm? If this is the case would you guys recommend installing an isolating for each hot water taps pipes? (It would mean be more work, this is the reason I ask my original question to see if there other option other than this). thx |
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Hinton Heating
Gas/Heating Expert
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 4296
Location: Bournemouth
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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if you can get that gate valve to turn off, then there is no water leaving the main tank, so the hot water is not displaced from the cylinder.
once this tap is turned off, then open the downstairs tap, it'll stop, within a bucket full.
However, as you say teh gate valve just spins, then you'll need to replace it, by draining the main tank, providing it feeds the cold taps as well.. do the following.
- turn off cold mains incoming to house.
- open all cold taps, this (hopefully) will drain the main tank, wait for water to stop flowing
- open all hot taps, this should be no more than a bucket full
- replace gate valve, and do the work on the taps
- close all taps
- turn on cold mains, wait for main tank to stop filling
- open each cold tap in turn to remove any air
- open each hot tap in turn to remove any air
This method should keep most of your hot water in cylinder
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bathstyle
BATHROOM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 796
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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Don't take this the wrong way amdk62 but if you are confused between the difference of a gravity system and a combi then I wouldn't attempt to change a Gate Valve, get a Plumber in.
A plumber tends to swap a Gate Valve by putting a Bung inside the cold storage tank to stop the flow, it should take about twenty minutes to do the swap. |
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jason123
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 1239
Location: Stellaville
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed, as HH was saying the cold taps would only empty the header tank if they are supplied from it, alot of houses cold are direct from supply and only hot is gravity fed. Hope this helps.
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amdk62
Junior Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Hi again, Bathstyle non taken. I'm not confused as I haven't even looked/read any thing regarding these two boilers yet. I recently changed the kitchen sink taps and i ran into some problem regarding a small leaks within the extension of the joint, so last week I replaced the little plastic extension with a flexi tube extension and that solved the small leak problem. My next jobs is to replace the bath and basin taps but I don't want to lose the hot water as previously done, with a few members in the family it can be a pain without hot water. Anyway, with above replies I gather enough guidance to do the jobs now (just have to wait for a couple of plumbers tools to get to the hard to get to area, like ynderneath the bath, with my height it can be difficult to get to the small area :)
Just like acknowledge my thanks to all your above replies, you guys have been a great help and thank you most sincerely to web site like this. It is people like me that needs a little 'kick start' or hints to get the jobs done. MUCH OBLIGED!! and Thank you. |
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Jaeger_S2k
Senior Member
Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Posts: 2786
Location: North West, England, United Kingdom
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| Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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Hi amd,
It's not your height, for baths and awkward places you need a twist key or basin key/wrench
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Jaeger.
"Does my bum look BIG in this?" Wit's a Ba' Hair in Metric? 
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Hinton Heating
Gas/Heating Expert
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 4296
Location: Bournemouth
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:58 am Post subject: |
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Just incase you have not seen the page on the main site it is here- Fitting taps
Take your time with this, it is never easy and access is a real pain in the butt.
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amdk62
Junior Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi again, Many thanks ultimatehandyman it was from that page that I ordered the basin wrench for the bath taps. Well today I managed to chnaged the gate valve, it was pretty easy unfortunately the previous plumber seem to ran out of 3/4 washer so a quick shop at wickes helps. Thanks again for all your helps and guidances. |
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