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THT

THT

THT

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Joined
10 Mar 2004
Posts
998
Recently when flushing 1 toilet in my flat, ive heard a rumbling/rattling noise.
After a bit of investigation, it seems this is called a water hammer.

I cannot find the exact definition of the problem I have.

The toilet has a press button flush and starts *immediately* when pressing the button goes on for a minute, stops for 10 seconds and then starts again for around 45 seconds. (These times are estimates)

Some site suggests installing extra bits of plumbing or draining the water from the system.

Just wondered if any plumbers could give me some ideas or additional ways to troubleshoot the issue?
 
There is only one main type of ball valve washer.

It really depends on what valve you have to whether you can replace it with a standard washer our whether you'll need to get a washer/valve from the manufacture.

Take the cistern top off and post a pic of the valve. You'll either need to pop both push buttons out and find the screw underneath or you'll be able to unscrew the buttons with the surround.
Hope thats understandable! They're a bit tricky if you've never taken one apart.
 
Here some pictures, not really sure what im supposed to be taking exactly and its hard to get in there as a cupboard is build around it!





Thanks Again
 
Just isolate the flow to the ball valve and replace it all for new rather than changing the washers. Make sure you get some PTFE along with the ballvalve and give it about 10-14 wraps following the thread before fitting (to make a great seal) when replacing just don't over tighten the nut connecting it to the original pipework. :)

First pick is the ballvalve, inside that housing is the washer mentioned earlier.

Should be really easy for you as you have plenty of room there too work. Oh and the ballvalve does not have to be brass and also can be different to the one in the picture asking for a torbeck side entery is probably your best option.

will look like this
TorbeckTraditional-lg.jpg
 
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Easy one!!!

Id stay away from PTFE tape here, some people use it on everything when in fact all it does is cause problems :rolleyes:

No need for a new ball valve either, save the cost and the problems that could come with changing it.


So firstly get yourself a new washer, isolate the water and flush the toilet. Easy.

Next you need to undo the bigger of the 2 nuts on the valve itself, follow the arm up from the float and its the first nut you come to. It should be hand tight but may require a pair of grips to get it loose, dont grip it too hard, its only plastic!

Undo this all the way and gently remove from the valve, take care that nothing falls out and you'll be left with the arm and float in your hand, put this to one side.

Next look inside the valve and you'll see the black washer, you may need a tiny screwdriver to get it out, you may be able to pull it out with your nails.

Take note of what way round it came out, there are only 2 ways and its pretty obvious but it is important to get it right. It probably wont be flat like the new one but it'll squash back so you can compare the two.

So once your new washer is in the right way put the arm and float back on, there's a little locating tab at the top so make sure this fits in and do the nut up hand tight.

Lastly turn on the water and set the water level, they'll be a little line on the back of the cistern, it may even say water level!!

You can adjust the level using the little plastic bolt and nut on top of the arm.
Its easier to set it low first then undo the bolt to increase the height, so put it in a bit before you turn the water back on.

Ive gone into great detail there so dont be put off thinking its a hard job, just tried to cover everything!!

If all goes well reward youself with a beer/drink of your choice!!

:D
 
Perfect detail - really helps!

Just one thing, ive googled "Ball valve washer" and it appears they come in different sizes:

Linky

Is there a way to work out what size ill need without taking it apart first?

Im gonna try this at the weekend - might be a small reward in it for you too :)
 
Ballvalve Diaphragm Washer 1 1/4"

That one in the link, 55p!!

There's a few different names for them on that site but they're all the same. The ones without the plastic bit in the middle!

The other little ones are for the older brass part 1 ball valves ;)
 
Mr Danm54, if you would like to send your paypal email address to my trust, ill send you a thankyou gift

Worked a treat!
 
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