Outside tap not working

Snookums · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:16

My problem with me outside tap is when i fully turn it to "open" its drops one droplet of very dirty looking water every 10-15 seconds.

Our outside taps pipework links into to under the kitchen the sink. Under the kitchen sink is two what i presume are shut off taps, one just after/before (not sure which way the pipework flows) the water meter and another about 10cm below, the one below turns and when turned all the way drops the pressure of the kitchen tap but doesn't shut it off completely, the one above i cant get to turn at all.

My thinking is either the shut off tap that wont budge controls the outside tap and as it wont budge must be seized, or that tap is redundant and its just the outsides taps internals are not opening when turning it.

Anyone got any ideas?

If photos will help explain what im on about let me know.

The tap circled in red is the one that wont budge, the one in blue does and after leaving it for a bit it fully shuts off the kitchen sink, the little blue tab on the left I think is connected to the outside tap but doesn't seem to make any difference.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:24

You can undo the handle from the outside tap normally with a spanner. This will allow the water to escape, so just starting to turn it will normally tell you if water is coming through as it should start to escape round the edge. Don't fully remove it as can be a pain to get back in and sealed if water is flowing.

Its very normal for there to be an isolation inside for external taps as you should isolate them in winter to stop them freezing back along the pipes. Most people dont as the risk is minimal, but its a risk, particularly if there is a cold snap and your away with say the heating off.

Can you work out which pipe it is that connects to the outside tap?

How old is the house?
Water meter under the sink suggests oldish?

bremen1874 · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:33

You should be able to remove the entire outside tap by unscrewing it.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:41

Oh one other thought. Is this a tap you have used before?
Its possible its just gunked up, particularly if its one of them aftermarket self cutting ones

Snookums · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:47

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
You can undo the handle from the outside tap normally with a spanner. This will allow the water to escape, so just starting to turn it will normally tell you if water is coming through as it should start to escape round the edge. Don't fully remove it as can be a pain to get back in and sealed if water is flowing.

Its very normal for there to be an isolation inside for external taps as you should isolate them in winter to stop them freezing back along the pipes. Most people dont as the risk is minimal, but its a risk, particularly if there is a cold snap and your away with say the heating off.

Can you work out which pipe it is that connects to the outside tap?

How old is the house?
Water meter under the sink suggests oldish?

Unfortunately my only spanner set is for my car and even my adjustable doesnt open wide enough to get around it.

I've edited the op with photos and explained i think the blue tab on the left is linked to the outside tap.

no idea on age but would presume 60-70ish. (we rent)

bremen1874 said:
You should be able to remove the entire outside tap by unscrewing it.

as above i don't have a spanner big enough, only recently moved in never needed a great deal of tools in the past.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Oh one other thought. Is this a tap you have used before?
Its possible its just gunked up, particularly if its one of them aftermarket self cutting ones

No we have never used this tap before.

Edit: id also liked to add i wanted to use it so i could get wash that strip of decking

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:54

Looks like a screw in the backboard, can you get that out?

Looks like a bit of a botch job going through the airbrick so I wouldnt rule anything in or out at this stage

bremen1874 · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:54

Remove the back from the cupboard so toy can get a proper hold of the isolator.

It you don't know if it's open or closed try turning it both ways.

Male sure you know how to completely isolate the water before getting too serious in case something breaks.

Buy a decent sized adjustable spanner. They're often useful.

Snookums · 22 Aug 2018 at 16:57

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Looks like a screw in the backboard, can you get that out?

Looks like a bit of a botch job going through the airbrick so I wouldnt rule anything in or out at this stage

bremen1874 said:
Remove the back from the cupboard so toy can get a proper hold of the isolator.

It you don't know if it's open or closed try turning it both ways.

Male sure you know how to completely isolate the water before getting too serious in case something breaks.

Buy a decent sized adjustable spanner. They're often useful.

Yeah i can get that backboard out with ease, Im just not 100% where the complete shut off is yet incase things go too wrong.

Yeah I think a decent spanner set/adjustable will be a good tool to add to the collection.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 22 Aug 2018 at 17:01

If you get that back out you should be able to see i think

Once you can follow the pipework you have a better idea where to start.

Its always possible the outside tap has failed, which is the risk if not isolated in the winter and someone tries to turn it. Although it takes some strength to snap one off its certainly possible.

jpaul · 22 Aug 2018 at 20:43

take a picture over the back of cupboard with a phone .. they have their uses.

from a previous rental I had ... you need to be confident&competent before you touch any of the system with spanners ... things can go wrong - contact the agent/owner ?

Snookums · 22 Aug 2018 at 21:05

jpaul said:
take a picture over the back of cupboard with a phone .. they have their uses.

from a previous rental I had ... you need to be confident&competent before you touch any of the system with spanners ... things can go wrong - contact the agent/owner ?

I'll do it tomorrow afternoon, ended unpacking some other bits and forgetting about it. I will contact my landlord if i can't fix it without the worry of dealing more damage.

JRJ · 23 Aug 2018 at 22:03

The stop valve to the left looks pretty much shut, does opening this with a screwdriver make a difference?

Do you have washing machine or dishwasher nearby? as the grey pipe looks very much like a cold feed for an appliance

Snookums · 24 Aug 2018 at 06:55

JRJ said:
The stop valve to the left looks pretty much shut, does opening this with a screwdriver make a difference?

Do you have washing machine or dishwasher nearby? as the grey pipe looks very much like a cold feed for an appliance

I never noticed this. I’ll try and open it after work.

There is a dishwasher next to the sink, washing machine is in the garage.

JRJ · 24 Aug 2018 at 11:26

Snookums said:
I never noticed this. I’ll try and open it after work.

There is a dishwasher next to the sink, washing machine is in the garage.

Gray pipe will be the dishwasher then.