Cold water tank overflowing after shower/bath?

[deshg]

Hey everyone,

My girlfriend and I have just bought a new house and we have a cold water tank in the loft. Whenever we have a bath or a shower and use a significant amount of cold water the overflow from the tank starts pouring out water because the ball float does not seem to float properly. If I go into the attic and give it a tiny push it then happily starts floating and it stops filling up with water (so the overflow stops). I am debating whether to fix this myself or get a plumber (there is thankfully a valve by the water inlet allowing me to turn off the water to the tank locally and very easily).

From my limited knowledge I would assume that the valve/joint is clogged up and just gets stuck then a minor nudge dislodges it and it works again. On this basis i'm presuming I should replace the whole valve as the joint is clogged up but I wanted to check if there was anything else I should try before assuming the whole valve should be replaced?

From what I have read I should use a part 2 high pressure value (eg http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-prestex-float-valve-part-2/27627) and a ball float (http://www.screwfix.com/p/round-ball-float/19902). Can you confirm that this is correct and what tools I would need to replace this (or if you think it's just better to get a qualified plumber to do it!)

Thanks so much,

Dave

 

[rjm2k]

New, or new to you? If really new then isn't it covered by a guarantee?

 

[deshg]

Hi rjm2k,

Sorry I should have been more specific, it's new to us but definitely not new, it's a Victorian terraced house that hasn't been updated in a while (although the central heating system was redone 5 - 8 years ago which is a lot newer than most other things here!)

Thanks very much,

Dave

 

[TonyW2]

Get a decent light on it. Turn off the incoming supply. See if you can take it to bits, clean it and fit a new washer.
It may even be an old brass one which would just need a polish.
Should be easy.

 

[deshg]

Get a decent light on it. Turn off the incoming supply. See if you can take it to bits, clean it and fit a new washer.
It may even be an old brass one which would just need a polish.
Should be easy.

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your response, it is indeed a brass one by the looks of it, what is the best thing to use to try cleaning/declogging it as this would obviously be the easiest solution? And what tools do i need to take it apart, just a couple of adjustable spanners?

Thanks so much,

Dave

 

[TonyW2]

There are a few possible brands, but probably a small screwdriver will enable you to flick out a piston from a cylinder. The piston may unscrew--into two parts to release the washer.
Careful use of mole grips may be needed if it is scaled-up or dirty.
Brass, metal, car, chrome cleaner, or bit of fine wire wool.
None of it is rocket science!
Oh the satisfaction and savings on plumbers, costs.

 

[deshg]

There are a few possible brands, but probably a small screwdriver will enable you to flick out a piston from a cylinder. The piston may unscrew--into two parts to release the washer.
Careful use of mole grips may be needed if it is scaled-up or dirty.
Brass, metal, car, chrome cleaner, or bit of fine wire wool.
None of it is rocket science!
Oh the satisfaction and savings on plumbers, costs.

Hi Tony,

Thanks so much for your reply, I have actually got a friend of mine who is a plumber coming to stay later this week so I thought I would just wait and get him to do it for me, which makes it very easy for everyone (apart from him!!)

Thanks so much for your help,

Dave