frozen service valves

[cahliss]

I need to fix badly leaking hot water tap but am unable to isolate it due to the hot water supply service valve unable to close. This is in a flat where the hot water is from a communal boiler, so to shut the boiler will stop all hot water to the other residents. Any help in how to free up without breaking the damn thing.

 

[oilman]

Do you own or rent the flat?

 

[AdamW]

Check along the hot pipe from the tap back to the service valve: you might find another valve along the way that you can shut off.

You have probably already tried this, but just in case you haven't: spray a load of WD40 into the valve into anything that looks like it should be a moving part. Leave it for 5 minutes, try to shift it. If still no luck, do the WD40 again and leave it for another few minutes. Try leaving it a few hours and then try moving it again (the oil takes a while to penetrate).

Failing all that, isn't the building management responsible for the service valve? In which case if they need to shut it all off, drain everything and replace your valve, it's on their head (and insurance) and not yours.

 

[cahliss]

Thanks guys, will need to get the management to take responsibility for the valves as they are the only ones and in a really inaccessible place.