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Attic Water Tank - Ballcock Failure

  • 06-03-2018 2:13pm
    #1
    stooge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,411 ✭✭✭


    The thread title might seem simple/common however I am guessing this is a bit of a rarity.

    I happened to go up to the attic yesterday to get something and noticed a water leak on the rafters and plasterboard (our tank is on a raised platform to allow future conversion.

    The amount of water led me to initially believe meting ice on inside felt, however the reality after more investigation was that the ballcock brass valve had suffered a failure. There was a small pinpoint hole on the brass valve allowing water to spray up when the tank was filling.

    As a temp workaround I covered in PTFE and put a small cap of plastic on top to avoid the spray coming out. I will replace the ballcock whole mechanism.

    Now the questions:
    - Has anyone had any previous experience of this?
    - The water has seeped into immediate wooden rafters and struts for the platform on which the tank is supported and roof. How best to withdraw moisture in wood?
    - Plasterboard underneath the platform is also wet, how to withdraw moisture from that?
    - How to avoid this happening again? A tank lid is one option or sheathing.


Comments

  • #2
    agusta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭agusta


    The moisture will withdraw itself from the timber.Sounds like your ballcock froze. Ideally your tank should have a lid.You need to find a deterrent to stop it from freezing. i.e ,insulate the tank and all pipes in the attic,thermostatic fan heater maybe


  • #3
    stooge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,411 ✭✭✭stooge


    thanks for the reply, I managed to get the ballcock mechanism replaced last night, but there is a small drip from water inlet now (just a matter of tightening I hope). Tank cover/sheath is next job.

    FYI, the old ballcock was caked in lime and I guess over time this wore away at the brass resulting in the failure. Makes me worry about other pipes in the house I can't see!


  • #4
    raspberrypi67
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭raspberrypi67


    I had a similar problem with a ballcock and a tiny pin hole was the problem , like your own.

    for drying you can hire de-humidifiers to quicken up the drying process, maybe get 2. One for attic and one for the upstairs....


    Yes, insulate the tank and pipes. Thats what I did. No problems any more.:D

    stooge wrote: »
    thanks for the reply, I managed to get the ballcock mechanism replaced last night, but there is a small drip from water inlet now (just a matter of tightening I hope). Tank cover/sheath is next job.

    FYI, the old ballcock was caked in lime and I guess over time this wore away at the brass resulting in the failure. Makes me worry about other pipes in the house I can't see!


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