Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Calling everyone whos experienced in plumbing!

The Ballcock valve is not switching off due to limescale(i think) causing it to overflow.

Based on the picture could anyone give me any advice what i need to do to fix this and if they know what kind of valve it is before i call in a plumber as i don't like messing with water?

I am kind of hoping i can easily unscrew something remove a limescale deposit to fix it easily.

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...1&d=1546352965






Thanks for any advice.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

You can get a renovation kit from the likes of B&Q for these valves. You'll need to turn off the water at the main stopcock. Otherwise it's fairly straight forward to undo the parts and replace as needed whilst removing scale.

We have the same limescale problems down here as our water comes from the chalk aquifer under the town.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Turn off the water (connected either by a blind valve [one quarter turn] or a ball valve.. leaver) then flush the loo. if the rubber diaphragm located in the blue housing is broken this needs to be replaced. It is a very easy job to do.


Take out the plastic pin which holds the floating ball in-situ unscrew the blue (left in your pic) screw, extract the rubber or plastic diaphragm and use Viakil anti-scale, spray this every where there is lime-scale leave for half an hour, and wipe up all lime scale.


Put back in reverse order.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

This has nothing to do with limescale no matter whatever any plumber has said. It is wear on the rubber diaphram that controls the valve.

Not exactly but the same basis.(they do wear out)



BTW a cycle repair patch across the centre works a treat.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Yes but lime-scale can also keep the valve in an open or closed position due to the spring behind the diaphragm being clogged-up. Its a Bar-Steward.


As I already have stated if the seal is Knackered then replace it!!!!!

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

If the seal is knackered then it is not limescale. If there is limescale keeping the valve open then just clean the valve.

What I posted was to replace the diaphram which looking at the photo posted I know from experience is the problem.

If the OP wishes to buy a new valve I have no problem with that, its his choice. He could just as easily and cheaper buy a new diaphram. His choice, not mine or yours.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Just trying to help heero not to be lectured by you. I know from experience as I am a plumber.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Thanks for all the help i will keep it all in mind for when i find time to mess with it, too tired now and work tomorrow!


shame i cant just bend the ballcock arm up a little bit as i think that would put a little more pressure on the switch just enough to stop it dripping.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Water off, flush to empty, then take it all apart and soak in vinegar or similar weak acid.

Reassemble and test.

Or get a replacement for under a fiver.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

When i have more time i think i will do as Richard suggested to see if the rubber thing is damaged or limescaled up as i need to find some tools first.

When you say i can buy a replacement for £5 is that just the ballcock arm attachment and can you link to it on Homebase, i am hoping for an exact replacement to make it easier?

---------- Post added at 16:38 ---------- Previous post was at 16:29 ----------

Is this what i would need to replace the part in question if i can't sort the rubber out?


https://www.homebase.co.uk/side-entr...-valve_p375849


Or maybe this.... i need to be able to unscrew and replace, job done?


https://www.screwfix.com/p/opella-si...e-part-3/88427

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

:confused:

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

some times I've ues coke to disolve it.

But I've used Sarsons vinegar (the one that comes in a spray bottle) to target areas

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Also a squirt of WD40 on any metal parts can help.

We had a similar but different problem where the flush was sticking leaving it in a permanent state of flush. WD40 stopped the spring inside the dual flush sticking.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

There are no metal parts in the valve posted. There is no need for vinegar or any other method suggested.

The diaphram has a hole in it and I don't care what the rip off plumber has said it only needs a replacement diaphram.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

The assembly has to be compatible with the float you have, or you'll have to buy another float.

Plus I think your is a bottom entry type, not side entry. Is the water pipe connection below the cistern tank?

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Correct, the initial panic to get it fixed has been averted, it can survive being left overnight without it dripping but if i went away for longer then it would be a problem.

The problem i initially had was the overflow was leaking inside the bathroom on the right angle pipe before it goes through the tiles to the outside wall causing a flood and a large brown wet patch on the kitchen ceiling, but some silicon sealant has stopped that.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Start to panic again:

If the overflow is dripping during these cold nights, the overflow pipe can easily freeze and block. Then the cistern will overflow in your bathroom.

This is a reason why many homes don't have an overflow pipe to outside these days, but one that internally overflows into the toilet bowl.

---------- Post added at 11:56 ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 ----------

https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2019/01/2.jpg

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

No need to get so cross.

The picture posted does show metal on the flush part between the handle and the syphon. It is this that might benefit from a squirt of lubricant.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Thanks for the warning, it should survive the winter as have no plans to go out long enough and if it was going to be an issue i would turn it off in the bathroom until the ballcock valve is replaced or fixed.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Note that in the original photo, the long threaded bit of plastic "tubing" which contains the metal bar from the cistern handle to the actuator should be free from that bar in many models. Any build up of corrosion or limescale between them can cause problems.

I'd post a pic showing it rather than describing it, but I can't figure out how to since we lost our VM webspace.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

To post a pic you go to manage attachments below the text box assuming you have made the pic the correct file size you then click browse and select the pic then click upload, then submit the message, if the file is too big then change the size in software.

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

Cheers!

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

,,

Re: Ballcock valve not switching off due to limescale
 

The rod rotates freely, thanks for the pic.

Update...

I seemed to have fixed it just by spraying limescale remover all over the ballcock switch, this has caused it to initially stop the threat of it overflowing as well as make it fill the cistern a lot quicker, so i will leave it like this for now seeing there doesn't appear to be a threat of it overflowing.

Thanks for all advice from everyone.