The Cistern
The cistern has been around for a long time and is a useful bit of kit, however, pre-1993, the capacity for these types of WC cisterns were 2 gallons (9ltr). This volume was reduced in order to save water consumption to an initial 7½ ltrs. Eventually it was decided to reduce it to volume used today which is 6ltrs. WC systems work with a thing called a “Siphonic valve”. Nowadays another design of valve exists that lifts to let water flow. This makes the WC cistern a modern piece of technology. Abbey Wood Plumbers are experienced in all plumbing jobs. The water used to fill the cistern was controlled by a float-operated valve, which sat floating on top of the water level. This would then drop when flushed as the water left the cistern and by doing so opened the fill valve at the bottom allowing the cistern to re-fill. Once the float raised with the level of the filling water it shut off the inlet valve and stopped the water.Flush Button(s):There can now be two flush buttons fitted to a modern cistern, the first is set to carry out a short flush (small amount of water) and the second is set for a longer flush (larger amount of water). They operate by using a two-rod system that releases the small and larger volumes of water as needed by the user. Siphonic Action:Wen the flushing water leaves a cylinder without the help of a mechanical action it is said to have a “siphonic action”. The water travels up and over a tube that looks like an upside down ‘J’ shape. The long leg then joins with the flush pipe whilst the short leg is open to the water in the cistern. When the air inside is removed, a partial vacuum is created. The action starts when a large diaphragm washer lifts and lets a volume of water discharge away through the flush pipe taking air to cause the partial vacuum. A Thamesmead Plumber replaces siphons.
Change a Tap (couple of tips)
ONE: Firstly isolate the water supply, which is usually done by closing the drain cock underneath the kitchen sink. Once closed off, then open up all taps. As soon as the water stops flowing close them up. Doing this takes any remaining water below the level you’re going to be working at. Don’t do this if you’ve turned off the water to the taps with the isolation valves. If you have the isolated the water for the whole house you need to open up all the taps and flush all the toilets to drain the system. Water will just hang still in the pipework when all the taps are shut. However, the moment a tap is open or a toilet is flushed the suspended water will race down the pipe work to find you stuck under the sink and giving you a cold shower. Abbey Wood Plumbers use the correct tools and can also find any plumbing faults and deal with them.TWO: If your tap came with copper tails you should really consider replacing them with flexible connectors, as it is really going to save you a heap of time and trouble. The size of the threads at the base of your taps vary between 10mm and 12mm so either measure them or, easier still, take one of the copper tubes to your local plumbing merchant and ask for a flexi version. A Thamesmead Plumber professional can fit hoses.The easiest mistake to make is to bend the flexi connectors far too tightly. This causes the flow of water to slow to almost nothing rendering the tap unserviceable. Make sure that any bends in the pipework are made gently and the flexi hose needs to be kept still as the connector is tightened.
Replacing a shower booster pump
This is a very simple operation. You will need to purchase a replacement pump with identical or similar qualities. The electrical connection is generally a pre-wired 13- amp three pin plug that is simply being plugged into a convenient socket outlet, therefore there should be no problem with disconnection and reconnection. If you are not confident to carry out this work on your own, you should call a professional plumbing service such as Abbey Wood Plumbers who are qualified to carry out such work. Once you have everything at hand to the task is completed as follows:1). First, isolate the hot and cold water to the unit and confirm that it is off.2). If available, open the drain off cocks to release any water from the pipework feeding the pump. Alternatively, be prepared for a little water to discharge as you disconnect the pipework. Fortunately these connections are usually made by a flexible connection with push fit compression joints, your new replacement booster will almost certainly have the same sort of connections. So it is often simply a case of removing the old connections and fixing on the new ones, as the flexible connections will allow for the necessary free movement to facilitate the replacement.3). Turn on water supplies and check for any leaks.4). Plug new pump into the socket outlet provided for the existing pump.When no flexible connections have been provided you will have to be prepared to alter the pipework as necessary, taking care not to damage the plastic water connections of the new pump with heat from any soldering processes or cross threading the connection. The above is basic advice, and again if you don’t feel confident to carry out the work yourself, call a plumber such as a Thamesmead Plumber who is experienced in this work.
Draining down the central heating system
Should there ever be a need to drain down your central heating system below is a guide how to do it. Abbey Wood Plumbers are experienced in draining down in such systems. Ensure the power supply to the central heating system is turned off.If it is a vented system you must now turn off the isolation valve which supplies the system. This will not apply for a sealed heating system because there is no permanent water connection. The isolation valve for the vented system can be found on the inlet supply pipe to the feed and expansion cistern, located in the loft. You are now ready to start draining down.Locate a drain off cock at a low point in the system, usually situated near the boiler itself. Connect the hose and open the valve. Next find a radiator high in the system and open the air release valve with a radiator key. This assists the process of draining down by letting air into the system, you should hear the air rushing into the system as a water leaves.Slowly open more radiator and events ensuring to do the higher-level radiators first until they are all open.When all of the water has been removed it is wise to close the radiator owners to ensure the system is ready to refill and to make sure the valves, if fully removed, are not lost.Sometimes the drain off Cock can fail to open because the washer is stuck onto the seating. If so it is a good idea to try and locate another valve.Note:The water that has drained from heating system can be just like black ink can cause staining just the same so protect you carpet. If you do not feel confident to carry out this job which is quite time-consuming and can cause problems it done wrongly, you should seek professional advice from someone like a Thamesmead plumber.
Central Heating (Sealed System).
A sealed central heating system is one that is primarily filled with water and then sealed of containing the water inside. They are filled, usually with a cold mains connection through a temporary hose connection and then closed off. The water now stays within the system and is not under the influence of any outside pressure. Abbey Wood Plumbers service and repair these systems on a regular basis.An example of one of these systems is a combination boiler. The temporary filling hose used top fill is always removed as it could be a point of entry for any chemical fluids such as cleaners. The water regulation authority require that this should not happen as it could form a contamination issue. Therefore the hose must be removed and not just connected and turned off!The Difference from a vented system. As stated, there is no influence by outside pressure on a sealed system as it is kept in a closed loop. A vented system has a tank in the loft ususally that will control the volume of water in the system as required (due to leaks, evaporation etc) via a float valve in the tank called a feed and expansion tank. A Thamesmead Plumber is trained to work on both systems. The water in any heating system will expand as it heats so therefore, as it is in a sealed not vented circuit, the expansion of the water is contained by an expansion vessel, sometimes called a bladder that may be fitted in the boiler itself. The sealed system has its uses for instance if you live in a small flat where space is limited, this system without a tank is ideal. Although this is a very high pressure system it is fitted with safety equipment such as:Pressure relief valve in case system pressure rises above the normal running pressure.Expansion relief valve in case the expansion vessel fails.Non return valve to prevent backflow of hot water through to the cold water line.Temperature limiting valve to prevent dangerous increase in operating temperature.