Water dipping from tap constantly.

Sir_luksik

Hi folks. I'm trying to replace the old mixer tap in the upstairs bathroom myslef as I thought it would be an easy job. However, despite turning off the main water supply and turning off the valves in the house the water is still dipping from the tap. Any ideas what might be causing this?

RobertFoster

I've found that due to the age of some plumbing some taps can keep dripping even when you've turned off everything.

If it is just a drip you can sometimes lessen it by turning on other taps in the house. That might give you enough leeway to change the tap.

Sir_luksik

Unfortunately the issue is not with the tap itself. The water is still coming to the tap through small plastic pipes from the floor. When is unscrew the tap the water is just coming, it's at very low pressure but still. Will be a.lot of water by the time I change the tap.

The Continental Op

If you have a length of pipe coming up to the tap then you can cut it and very quickly put in an insert then put on a push fit isolation valve

https://www.woodies.ie/push-fit-fittings-1-2-pack-of-plastic-inserts-335723

https://www.woodies.ie/plumbing-valves-1-2-pushfit-isolation-valve-336225

Only issue is checking if you have 1/2 inch or 15mm pipe. Irish fittings are imperial but there is still metric pipe around.

slystallone

Whats the best course of action here? I have no isolation valves and need to change the tap (lever on mixer tap broke due to age/limescale)

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120794040#Comment_120794040

How did you get on in the end?

Rows Grower

Shut off the water supply, run the tap until water stops flowing and rock on.

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122413490#Comment_122413490

Does that empty the whole system when you do that..., rads, the cylinder, the small tank up in attic?

slystallone

Also why is there 3 pipes coming out of the ground? Would 2 not be enough?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122417322#Comment_122417322

Two up and I suspect one back down. That gate valve you can see will never completely shut off the water they rarely do.

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122417378#Comment_122417378

Why would one need to go back down?

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122413490#Comment_122413490

Is that valve to shut off the water supply under the sink?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122422745#Comment_122422745

To feed something somewhere else in the house or perhaps the toilet cistern.