Basic Plumbing: Problem replacing toilet water inlet valve

Hi,

I've got a minor issue with our bathroom plumbing and hoped somebody here might be able to help. This only started yesterday and as our landlady is away on holiday I gathered it might be just as easy to try and work it out, especially when researching it on the internet seemed to demonstrate it to be a simple job.

Starting last night the toilet cistern would take a long time to fill. In fact, it was "leaking" at the top (rather than filling from the bottom). From my research this indicates it is probably the diaphragm in the inlet valve. Either way, it seems as though replacing the inlet valve as a unit is the correct procedure.

I've watch a few videos on YouTube I feel I am pretty prepared to complete the job, as it seems simple (even for somebody who has never done anything plumbing in the past). Before going to the shop to purchase the replacement inlet valve I wanted to remove the original faulty unit both to ensure that I could do so without problem, before going out of my way to get a new unit, and also to give me a better idea of the exact replacement.

I have done the basics; isolated the toilet at the service valve and flushed the toilet to empty the cistern. Seemingly the next two tasks are to disconnect the service valve from the inlet valve (one nut) and then remove the inlet valve using the retaining nut. The only problem is that I cannot remove the nut between the service valve and the inlet valve.

This is an image showing the general area of the service valve, etc:



This angle shows better the type of fitting used in this case:



This picture, although blurry, shows the two nuts that I believe I must remove. Hopefully somebody can confirm this is the case:



Anyway the bottom of the two nuts is very stiff indeed and I cannot move it at all. I have tried applying some WD40 (Again, I hope that this is okay!) but it has not been of any use.

I know this sounds like the most basic question, however being unfamiliar with the terminology I'm finding it very hard to know how to Google my problem; Is this nut something that should be remove by hand or is there a tool for this job? I've noticed on some hardware store websites some "push fit" connectors, I assume that this is *not* one of these types? Though, if it is how would I go about removing this?

Any help would be great. It seems as though I've done the research and am very near (hopefully) to being able to swap out the unit... Not only would I be happy to do so (out of my comfort zone, even if it may be an easy task) but it'll also save on the call out fee and labour of a plumber.

Finally, I am not sure if this is relevant but I believe the system is mains fed.

Thank you.

Landlady = not your problem, I wouldn't risk damaging anything, call a plumber, how long is she away for, you could fill it up from the sink if it's only a couple of days.

If you really want to give it a go then, how are you trying to untighten it? you probably need some grips to get good leverage,

Remember to turn the main water off, and you may need to drain the tank down in the loft depending on where it fills up from

That nut will unscrew, get some grips on it and turn it carfully! I suppose you dont have to worry about cross threading it getting it off as your replacing the valve.

If your pipe wont move down to let the screw come off you can loosen the one above it and lift up the valves from the inside a few cm giving you the room!

Also turn the mains off while you do the work just to be on safe side.

A good tool to have for these types of jobs is a strap wrench.

They're great for plumbing as they won't damage the plastic parts...and they're pretty cheap too.

Got myself one recently when I replaced the cistern syphon and float valve in my loo, and wish I'd picked one up sooner (great for other jobs too).

Looks like this:

Thanks for all of the replies.

I've had a walk out to a few cheaper hardware stores and cannot find a strap wrench. I have a Homebase nearby (Ruislip) which does have one in (Boa Constrictor) and also has the inlet valve. Despite this, I'm now concerned whether I should do the job or not; It's only basic but that's the point, I wouldn't want to make a mistake and make it much worse. I'm not sure at that point where I'd be with regards to the landlady.

I guess, my concern is that I do not really wish to try and get a plumber because it'll be costly and I think I'll have a hard time getting the money back from the landlady. On the other hand I don't want to manage to get the old unit out and encounter problems getting the new one installed!

I've just tried to ring around a few local plumbers for a quote but being new to the area my browse through the Yellow Pages was random at best. Most (unsurprisingly considering it’s a Saturday afternoon) did not answer. One did but he didn't fill me with confidence and sounded a bit of a cowboy, who didn't seem like he even understood what it was that needed replacing.

I'm out this evening so I'll decide other the weekend whether to buy the bits and have a go on Monday or get a plumber in.

Anybody know how much I'd be looking at paying to have a new unit installed? I'm in Ruislip, if prices are regional.

Cheers.