I keep having to replace the ball valve on the loft water tank. They start dripping and the tank starts overflowing.
The last one lasted a year. How long should they last? Why might they fail so often - the one before that may have lasted about 3 years, though I cannot be certain it was as long as that?
Any ideas?
GPG
Sorry, wrong group :-((( GPG
Yes, it is the wrong group, but we're very amenable round here.
In answer to your question, I would expect a valve, or at least the washer within it, to last some 20 years, although obviously some will fail before time, for one reason or another. I don't really see why you (a) should have this problem so frequently, and (b) have to replace the whole valve. Are you sure the jet is not getting clogged with debris and just needs cleaning out?
Rob Graham
He doesn't have the balls to try that. He's afraid he might make a balls-up of it.
In message , GPG writes
Wipe it with vaseline or summat similar next time you reassemble it.
Just because the valve starts dripping does not mean the washer failed. You can only tell that by inspection. The valve may be dripping because of dirt and debris interfering with the seating of the valve on the washer.
Also make sure the ball is set sufficiently low so as to be applying good pressure on the valve when the water level is close to the overflow.
Tony
The valve seat could have corroded and be chewing up new washers as they are fitted.
Derek
Do you live in a very hard water area?
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