Attic tank not refilling

wyf437gn6btzue

We`re having an issue with the attic tank. Earlier on it was noticed the tap (cold bathroom one that comes from the attic tank) when turned on stopped flowing so we got up in the attic and noticed the tank was empty and wasn't refilling.

The main cold taps pressure is lower than normal, maybe 50% flow. I`m assuming there isn't enough pressure for the tank to refill? or is there maybe a slightly bigger problem.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, I`m slightly clueless when it comes to plumbing tbh

Sixtoes

Is the ballcock down? Try lift it up and down in case it’s stuck.

wyf437gn6btzue

Sixtoes wrote: »

Is the ballcock down? Try lift it up and down in case it’s stuck.

We refilled the tank with water from the main tap downstairs so the ballcock it is nearly back on level, prior to that it was down. My dad moved it up and down to make sure it wasn't stuck

NickNickleby

check kitchen cold tap, if not running, the water off. Check with neighbours.



sorry, re-read the post and surmise you must have water from the cold tap - after all you filled the tank from somewhere.

might just be frozen. Wait till morning.

if not due to freezing somewhere, then there must be a blockage in the pipe. time for a plumber, you don/t want to risk a problem in the attic...

wyf437gn6btzue

NickNickleby wrote: »

check kitchen cold tap, if not running, the water off. Check with neighbours.

The kitchen tap is running, its lower on pressure though maybe 50-70% of usual pressure.

NickNickleby

Nathalia Brief Posy wrote: »

The kitchen tap is running, its lower on pressure though maybe 50-70% of usual pressure.

ahhh, perhaps there's insufficient pressure to reach the attic. You can test this relatively easily.

connect a garden hose to the kitchen tap, then somehow get it up to the attic and drop it over the side of the attic tank. If nothing comes out of the hose, there's your answer. Be careful rewinding the hose, as the nearer the ground you get the faster the water will come out if the hose doesn't have a control on it.

after the test:

1. turn off the kitchen tap,
2. unhook hose, residual water will now drain out of the hose.
3. when water stops coming out of the hose, bring the other end back down stairs

btw, I'm not a plumber just a very (so far) lucky diy'er

WEARB: I was posting at the same time as you

Wearb

Are you on a public supply? Are you in an estate? Have you a mains tap (outside maybe) that you can connect a hose to and see if there is enough pressure to fill your attic tank with it. That will tell you if you have enough supply pressure.

wyf437gn6btzue

NickNickleby wrote: »

ahhh, perhaps there's insufficient pressure to reach the attic. You can test this relatively easily.

connect a garden hose to the kitchen tap, then somehow get it up to the attic and drop it over the side of the attic tank. If nothing comes out of the hose, there's your answer. Be careful rewinding the hose, as the nearer the ground you get the faster the water will come out if the hose doesn't have a control on it.

after the test:

1. turn off the kitchen tap,
2. unhook hose, residual water will now drain out of the hose.
3. when water stops coming out of the hose, bring the other end back down stairs

btw, I'm not a plumber just a very (so far) lucky diy'er

WEARB: I was posting at the same time as you

Thanks for the detailed reply, The hose attachment for our hose broke a couple of weeks ago so I cant test it that way. I`m assuming pressure is the issue.

wyf437gn6btzue

Wearb wrote: »

Are you on a public supply? Are you in an estate? Have you a mains tap (outside maybe) that you can connect a hose to and see if there is enough pressure to fill your attic tank with it. That will tell you if you have enough supply pressure.

Yeah were on a public supply in a housing estate, I`m on a fair bit of a hill compared to the rest of the town so the lack of pressure would make sense. I`ve no hose to test as it broke, hopefully the pressure will come back online in a couple of hours

NickNickleby

NickNickleby wrote: »

WEARB: I was posting at the same time as you

there you go, great minds an all that :D

I'm assuming being a Mod here you're a professional, and bow to your superior knowledge/experience (not being sarky).

I only post when I think I can be helpful, and always make it plain that I'm no professional (at anything, according to my mates!!).

cheers

Wearb

Nathalia Brief Posy wrote: »

Yeah were on a public supply in a housing estate, I`m on a fair bit of a hill compared to the rest of the town so the lack of pressure would make sense. I`ve no hose to test as it broke, hopefully the pressure will come back online in a couple of hours

If it’s a supply pressure problem then your immediate neighbors will also have the same problem.

arminkavix

Hmmm.
I wonder if people are leaving taps running to stop freezing.

greasepalm

daytime pressure maybe down and at night when all in bed might be higher to refill tank,downstairs tap been low flow confirms issue.