The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
I’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap >freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
Tim
On 3 Jun 2025 16:15:23 GMT, Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
I’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap
freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
Tim
+100 It's happened to me after a period of freezing weather. Replacing
the NRT, (or suitably modifying the innards, don't ask!), solved the
problem.
As the pipe to the outside tap freezes, the contents expand (it's why
ice floats). With a non-return valve in the circuit, the pressure
caused by that expansion cannot be dissipated back up the pipe and
just jams the NRT. You're lucky it didn't burst the pipe. In another property, it used to blow the outside tap off the top of the
standpipe.
snip <
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.
On 3 Jun 2025 16:15:23 GMT, Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
IÂ’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap >>freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
Tim
+100 It's happened to me after a period of freezing weather. Replacing
the NRT, (or suitably modifying the innards, don't ask!), solved the
problem.
As the pipe to the outside tap freezes, the contents expand (it's why
ice floats). With a non-return valve in the circuit, the pressure
caused by that expansion cannot be dissipated back up the pipe and
just jams the NRT. You're lucky it didn't burst the pipe. In another property, it used to blow the outside tap off the top of the
standpipe.
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
snip <
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.That's not my experience.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have any problems.
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
snip <
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.That's not my experience.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have any problems.
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I have had at lest three that leaked from the gland around the screw
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
driver shaft. Perhaps its down to quality.
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
I’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
On 04/06/2025 11:10, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I have had at lest three that leaked from the gland around the screw
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have
put in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of
them get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't
have any problems.
driver shaft. Perhaps its down to quality.
My experience also in the past but most of mine are now Pegler branded
and with a small handle. They are 10x the price of the
Screwfix/Toolstation cheapest.
On 2025-06-03, Tim+ wrote:
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the
wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any
other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
I’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap
freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
Thanks to everyone who answered.
Later this morning I opened one of the outside taps, went inside for a minute, and when I came back it was blasting at full pressure. Both
outside taps are running fine now.
I think in future I should leave the draincock and taps open during
the winter and occasionally open the inside valve briefly?
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
snip <
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.That's not my experience.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have any >problems.
On Wed, 4 Jun 2025 09:34:29 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com>
wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have any
problems.
My experience is that they don't leak until you have reason to use
them, when they might.
I recently changed the basin and taps in the cloakroom. One of the
valves started leaking when I closed it, the other started leaking
when I re-opened it when the job was finished, so I finished up
replacing them both. The originals had served for 20 years without
issue.
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been installed
some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder area
do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been installed
approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver operated isolation valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position. They couldn't be tuned
even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on the he bit of the
screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
On 04/06/2025 11:28, alan_m wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have
put in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of
them get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't
have any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been
installed some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder
area do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been
installed approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver
operated isolation valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position.
They couldn't be tuned even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on
the he bit of the screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
<A cynic asks>
I assume they were being turned in the correct direction?
On 04/06/2025 11:28, alan_m wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been installed
some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder area
do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been installed
approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver operated isolation
valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position. They couldn't be tuned
even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on the he bit of the
screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
<A cynic asks>
I assume they were being turned in the correct direction?
On 2025-06-04, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 04/06/2025 11:28, alan_m wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
t;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put >>>> in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them >>>> get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been installed >>> some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder area
do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been installed
approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver operated isolation >>> valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position. They couldn't be tuned
even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on the he bit of the
screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
<A cynic asks>
I assume they were being turned in the correct direction?
With the only kinds I've seen [1] the ball inside the valve can be
turned either way as much as you want. When the screwdriver slot is
parallel to the pipe(s), the valve is open; when it's perpendicular,
it's closed.
[1] I'm smart enough to know there may be valves I don't know about.
it's closed.
I've come across both. With some there is an (external) 'stop' which prevents the valve from turning more than the 90 degrees required. The water supply to our washing machine & dishwasher are controlled by that type.>
On 2025-06-04, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 04/06/2025 11:28, alan_m wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
t;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put >>>> in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them >>>> get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been installed >>> some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder area
do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been installed
approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver operated isolation >>> valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position. They couldn't be tuned
even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on the he bit of the
screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
<A cynic asks>
I assume they were being turned in the correct direction?
With the only kinds I've seen [1] the ball inside the valve can be
turned either way as much as you want. When the screwdriver slot is
parallel to the pipe(s), the valve is open; when it's perpendicular,
it's closed.
[1] I'm smart enough to know there may be valves I don't know about.
On 05/06/2025 15:09, Adam Funk wrote:
On 2025-06-04, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 04/06/2025 11:28, alan_m wrote:
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That's not my experience.
snip <
t;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone. >>>>>>
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put >>>>> in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them >>>>> get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have >>>>> any problems.
In my own house I've had problems in the past with cheap screwdriver
operated isolation valves dripping slowly after they have been installed >>>> some time and then operated.
A couple of years back I help a friend living on the Welsh boarder area >>>> do some plumbing modification on some pipework that had been installed >>>> approx 10 years beforehand. There were 4 screwdriver operated isolation >>>> valves - all 4 had sieved in the open position. They couldn't be tuned >>>> even with a long screwdriver and a spanner on the he bit of the
screwdriver handle to give extra leverage.
<A cynic asks>
I assume they were being turned in the correct direction?
With the only kinds I've seen [1] the ball inside the valve can be
turned either way as much as you want. When the screwdriver slot is
parallel to the pipe(s), the valve is open; when it's perpendicular,
it's closed.
I've come across both. With some there is an (external) 'stop' which prevents the valve from turning more than the 90 degrees required. The
water supply to our washing machine & dishwasher are controlled by that type.>
On 04/06/2025 11:49, Adam Funk wrote:
On 2025-06-03, Tim+ wrote:
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:
The water supply to the outside taps is set up under the kitchen
sink. Photo:
<https://www.ducksburg.com/diy/2025-valves.jpg>
The supply comes from the right, turns up through the stopcock, turns
left, down through the non-return valve, through a
screwdriver-operated valve which I always leave open, then through the >>>> wall to two taps and a draincock on the outside. [1] This system has
worked over a couple of winters.
This spring I opened the stopcock and haven't been able to get more
than a trickle out of the outside taps.
Which component is more likely to be stuck, and is there a chance of
unsticking it by banging on it with the water and outside taps on? Any >>>> other suggestions?
Thanks
[1] Historical background: the guys who did the kitchen put in the
screwdriver valve. I never liked it and wanted a non-return valve so
our plumber and boiler technician added them later.
I’ve had a non-return valve jam closed after an episode of outside tap >>> freezing. It would be the prime suspect in my book.
Thanks to everyone who answered.
Later this morning I opened one of the outside taps, went inside for a
minute, and when I came back it was blasting at full pressure. Both
outside taps are running fine now.
I think in future I should leave the draincock and taps open during
the winter and occasionally open the inside valve briefly?
Do you not cover the outside tap and any pipework with insulation? I've
made boxes out of old polystyrene sheet or packaging and they work well.
On 04/06/2025 09:34, wasbit wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:28, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I have had at lest three that leaked from the gland around the screw
That's not my experience.
snip <
;
Yep. screwdriver isolators are prone to leaking badly. Best left alone.
We have at least 6 that were installed mid 80's plus others I have put
in for elderly neighbours, & none of them have leaked. Not all of them
get turned on or off on a regular basis but those that do don't have
any problems.
driver shaft. Perhaps its down to quality.
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