Plunge The Loo
You know the scenario I am sure, you flush the loo and think no more, however, the water starts to rise nearly up to to the rim and then really slowly starts to go. However, do no panic or grab the phone just yet. Stay calm calm. Obviously something has caused a blockage stuck somewhere and there is a good possibility that you will be able to clear the loo by yourself. But if you think that this kind of job is not for, you can call a professional plumbing service like Abbey Wood Plumbers who use skilled professionals. The best way to sort this problem is with a plunger. You could already have a cup shaped sink plunger that you could use, but it can be quite messy. The plunger works using the principle that the rubber vessel will make an airtight seal down in the loo. So, if you don’t have one, buy a loo plunger that will seal the opening at the bottom of the pan. The cost will be no more than £10. Some pumping and you should create enough pressure to free the block. A Thamesmead Plumber is a fully qualified professional plumber who understands all types of issues. The plunger can usually be quite effective, but should the pan remain blocked after the plunger has been used the blockage is further along the pipe, perhaps caused by air simply getting in through the open vent pipe at the top of the drain. This type of blockage further along the drainpipe may also affect many other appliances in your home such as sinks and baths and may put them out of action causing a much more convenience than normal. This is probably the time to seek professional advice if it is bigger than you thought, as it might mean that you will end up going around in a circle.
WC Block
There will come time that the loyal WC you have used for years will ultimately fail. If this happens you will obviously not be too happy about it and might be tempted to hope that it cures itself, however we know that it wont. So, you flush the toilet and the bowl does not empty and just sits there. There is a remote chance that it will drain very slow, but nearly always come back after the next flush. Should you think that this kind of job is just too involved, you should call a professional plumbing service like Abbey Wood Plumbers who use skilled tradesmen with experience. The best way to attack this problem is with a plunger.Purchase (if you don’t already own one) a drain rod, this will have be fitted with a thread on one end. To this end you need to screw a 150mm (6 inch) rubber drain plunger cup. You can buy this at your local plumbing merchant. A skilled tradesman like a Thamesmead Plumber can fault find and fix plumbing issues. You will need to place the plunger in the bowl and cover the mess, however dank and dirty, the water is in the WC bowl.Work the plunger up and down inside the pan.Plunging can usually be quite effective. If the pan remains blocked after the plunger has been used the blockage could be further along the pipe, perhaps caused by air simply getting in through the open vent pipe at the top of the drain. This type of blockage further along the drainpipe may also affect many other appliances in your home such as sinks and baths and may put them out of action causing a much more convenience than normal. This is where the expertise of a professional plumbing service will come into its own.
Water Contamination
Water contamination is serious and needs to be resolved immediately. There is a name for a common way for water to become contaminated and that is ‘back flow’. The usual way for water to enter a home is under a great deal of pressure. The pressure of incoming water to a property is very high. But of course, this not only speeds up the filling of your bath or allows good garden watering power, it also guarantees that water is only flowing in one direction and that is from the hosepipe straight onto the lawn. As long as the system is arranged in this kind of way there is no chance that it can become contaminated. However if the pressure drops off suddenly it will be a different story. Abbey Wood Plumbers tradesmen are aware of contamination issues.An Example of Water Contamination:There has been an accident with the mains pipework a few miles away. The water supply to the house is interrupted. The homeowner was using a hose at the time in the garden. The hose gets thrown down on the grass, to investigate. This water on your garden suddenly finds itself being dragged back into the empty hose, and after a short time, it will find the mains cold water supply. The water is now mixing with many horrible things, including pesticides, plant food and goodness knows what. The fault that results in no water is far away, however the contamination is down to the homeowner, as they have just tried to poison nearly half the shire. Our Water Regulations state that you must fit devices that will stop any chance of ‘back flow’. A Thamesmead Plumber fits all valves. The example above would not have happened had a device called a ‘double check’ valve been fitted to the outside tap. It is a simple bit of kit that only allows water to flow through it one way. With this device fitted it wouldn’t matter as your tap will not let the water flow back into the cold water mains. Job done.
Washing Machine (disconnection)
Disconnection of the washing machine is usually left to the homeowner as it may cause a flood situation. Before the job is started, the (hot if fitted) and cold water supplies need to be isolated. Then, the machine should be unplugged as it normally plugged into a nearby outlet.Now, pull the washing machine clear and expose the back, so you can now see where the taps are connected. They are usually chrome isolation valves with a ¾ inch thread on one side that attaches to the machines hose. Turn them off by moving both fitted levers 90° to the pipe. Have a container handy to collect any excess water underneath the valve as you undo it by hand. Pliers may be required. Check that the isolation valves are not leaking. An Abbey Wood Plumbers can fit a new washing machine. If all is dry turn your water supply back on and check again. If they do leak, then follow these steps:1). Isolate the water off once again and drain the water in the system at the kitchen sink. Open up the leaking valve and drain the remaining water away.2). Undo the nut that secures the isolator. It sits behind. 3). You can easily fit a new valve and use the old back nut and olive, if the olive looks worn use PTFE tape or even cut the pipe back using a pipe slice and fitting a new nut and olive on the pipework.4). A stand-pipe takes the hose carrying the emptying waste from the machine in which case just pull it out and lower it to the drain the excess water into a bowl. A Thamesmead Plumber is a skilled plumbing professional and can re-fit isolating valves.New washing machines are now cold water fed only, so you will only deal with one isolator.
Valves (Float Operated)
Diaphragm Valve:This type of valve has been used in a domestic plumbing situation for many years. They are normally made by connecting a ball of plastic or rubber to an extended metal arm. The ball, then lifts and lowers as the water rises, resulting in the opening and closing of the inlet water supply valve. As the water rises a piston made of plastic pushes against a rubber window or diaphragm, this pushes on a rubber disc on the other side of the diaphragm and is forced against the water inlet nozzle to cut off the water. Abbey Wood Plumbers know how these valves operate and can fix them. When the water level drops, the float falls, with the effect that the other end of the arm will stop pressing against the diaphragm and the water flows through the nozzle.Portsmouth Valve:Constructed of brass and pretty much indestructible, this type of valve is really popular and used frequently. Its operation uses a cylindrical plug that moves back and forth in a horizontal chamber. Once its float is in the ‘up’ position, the opposite end of its arm moves the plug along the chamber. This results in a rubber disc at the end of the plug pressing hard against the water inlet nozzle and stopping the water flow. A Thamesmead Plumber fits this type of valve and can locate plumbing problems. Now, when the float is in the ‘down’ position, the arm drags the plug backwards through the chamber. This results in the same rubber disc located at the end of the plug pulling away from the water inlet nozzle, and opening up the flow of water to fill the cistern ready for flushing again. Note:A third valve called a Croydon valve operates in a similar way. The only difference is the plug moves in a vertical plane and not horizontal. This valve is not really used.