Draining system when its very cold outside???
- Thread starter windymill
- Start date
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OK, that red headed gate valve next to the cylinder, follow the pipe down, does it enter the bottom of the cylinder? If so then that should shut off the hot water, if the valve closes properly.
Shut off your cold mains and then see if the cold water still runs in the bathroom, it may be that some outlets in the bathroom are fed from the cistern. If so then you will have to isolate the large cold water cistern and then bung the outlet(s) in the cistern or run the cold water in the bathroom until it empties. You could speed things along with a bucket and bale it out.
The small cistern will be feeding your central heating so no need to touch that one.
Shut off your cold mains and then see if the cold water still runs in the bathroom, it may be that some outlets in the bathroom are fed from the cistern. If so then you will have to isolate the large cold water cistern and then bung the outlet(s) in the cistern or run the cold water in the bathroom until it empties. You could speed things along with a bucket and bale it out.
The small cistern will be feeding your central heating so no need to touch that one.
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Yes red gate valve does go into tank. So does that mean tank wont empty and when taps run its just whats left in pipes? To isolate cold water system, if needed, is it the valves in pic on large tank? Havent done anything yet. Thanks
Yep, wind the red valve head down tight and then run the hot water tap, there should only be what's left in the pipe to run out. These valves are notorious for not closing fully though, so it may be a suck it and see. When you drain/bung the large cistern that will stop the flow to the cylinder anyway but it's best to use the valve if you can as that will reduce the risk of getting airlocks in the cold feed to the cylinder. Again though, turn off the mains and see what cold taps still run in the bathroom.
Follow the pipe up from the blue lever valve, does it connect to the large cisterns fill valve? Turn that off and then depress the ball arm in the cistern, no water should flow out the valve. That's it isolated, then you can bung or drain it.
Final check is open all the taps in the bathroom, all should be dry.
Follow the pipe up from the blue lever valve, does it connect to the large cisterns fill valve? Turn that off and then depress the ball arm in the cistern, no water should flow out the valve. That's it isolated, then you can bung or drain it.
Final check is open all the taps in the bathroom, all should be dry.
Sorry Rob just to check, we need to close blue valve on tank as just closing mains will still drain tank? And if red valve doesnt turn off fully what then? I think we will need a plumber as although we are nearly there with this, just found the corner bath has two pipes - hot and cold coming 6 in horizontally through wall from airing cupboard and we are looking to install floorstanding taps.
I think you need a plumber who is fitting the bathroom if you are I think you will need a lot of help lol
Lol, having done a previous new house thought it would be no prob! But theres pipes everywhere here, its an old house 1850 with a new bit added on. We were about to do when found out bath taps not coming from where we thought. Think we giving up today now and calling plumber out. Many thanks for all your help and to others too.
If you're finding that it's getting a bit beyond you Windy due to the complex pipework, then a plumber would be a good idea TBH. Just make sure they're well recommended and have experience with older setups, as they can even fox "plumbers" that don't have the necessary skills.
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