Any plumbers amongst us? [Archive]

Angry Puppy

3rd January 2006, 10:34

Smokin

3rd January 2006, 10:53

Naa, nothing to worry about, It's just the overflow from the loo.

Take the lid off the cistern and you should see an arm with a ball float on the end of it, Give the arm a small bend down and then it should stop it leaking, Failing that you will have to replace the washer, Its a pretty easy job as well.

pyrocam

3rd January 2006, 10:56

yeah every house ive lived in has one of those on it.

oldrider

3rd January 2006, 11:17

had a quick question for any Plumbers amongst us. There's a pipe coming out the wall of our house that constantly drips. it appears (to the untrained eye) to be in-line with the hot water cylinder but comes out the wall under the toilet. Anyone know what this pipe is for and whether the dripping is something I should worry about?

It could also be from a pressure relief valve drain from your water cylinder. Unless you have a wet back, then it will not be from a pressure relief valve.
Check above the hot water tank for the type of venting arrangement installed.
Most likely to be from the toilet cistern as above though. Cheers John.

kro

3rd January 2006, 11:28

Is the water cold or hot?

If the old Snefa valve is poxed, it means your HW cylinder is constantly filling, and hot water will overflow (usually from a copper pipe on the roof), but it's most likely the dunny overflow, which means you may need to check the ballcock/fill valve in the cistern, to see if its actually shutting off when it fills.

Do you have a header tank in your roof as well?, they have ballcock's in them, and need periodic maintenence, becuase they will overflow out a vent pipe too, if they arent shutting off properly.

Angry Puppy

3rd January 2006, 12:18

Is the water cold or hot?

Do you have a header tank in your roof as well?, they have ballcock's in them, and need periodic maintenence, becuase they will overflow out a vent pipe too, if they arent shutting off properly.

We don't have a header tank. I replaced the toilet cistern a few months back as it was constantly dripping (more of a flow than a drip) in to the bowl. The new cistern is fine and has no leaks so I suspect it is the hot water cylinder overflowing. I will have a look at the tank and see what i can see. thanks for the advise, guys.

FB

WINJA

3rd January 2006, 12:52

we don't have a header tank. i replaced the toilet cistern a few months back as it was constantly dripping (more of a flow than a drip) in to the bowl. the new cistern is fine and has no leaks so i suspect it is the hot water cylinder overflowing. i will have a look at the tank and see what i can see. thanks for the advise, guys.

fb
bunnings sell rebuild kits and individual seals for nefa and apex valves , if its the relief/vacum break combo just make sure it doesnt have a bit of crap under the seat .find the relief and make sure its not warm 1/2 a meter after it on the 1/2" copper line .
1/4 of a turn anti clockwise on the nefa valve may fix it

Ixion

3rd January 2006, 12:54

Wozza Apex valve. Wozza Nefa valve ? They like the old Ajax valve (pressure reducing valve for low pressure hot water cylinders ? ) Gotta know, gotta know.

WINJA

3rd January 2006, 13:00

wozza apex valve. wozza nefa valve ? they like the old ajax valve (pressure reducing valve for low pressure hot water cylinders ? ) gotta know, gotta know.
spose your right . its like saying crescent instaed of adjustable wrench

pyrocam

3rd January 2006, 18:42

spose your right . its like saying crescent instaed of adjustable wrench
you mean a monkey wrench?

froggyfrenchman

3rd January 2006, 18:46

you mean a monkey wrench?

At a guess, you dont earn a crust usin tools....

WINJA

3rd January 2006, 18:57

you mean a monkey wrench?
youd make a shit apprentice , i just grunt when im working and the apprentice passes me the right tool or he gets it thrown back at him or loses half his lunch

froggyfrenchman

3rd January 2006, 19:12

Im glad ive finished my time doin that crap!

"go get us a skyhook and a long weight, boy"
"we need some striped paint"
"you dont deserve lunch, gimme that"
"call that welding. if ya like fuggin birdshit that much, go lick that tree"
"forklift licences are for queers"
"bikes are for queers and steers boy, youre not a steer are ya?"

Aaaaaaah, those were the days

WINJA

3rd January 2006, 19:27

im glad ive finished my time doin that crap!

"go get us a skyhook and a long weight, boy"
"we need some striped paint"
"you dont deserve lunch, gimme that"
"call that welding. if ya like fuggin birdshit that much, go lick that tree"
"forklift licences are for queers"
"bikes are for queers and steers boy, youre not a steer are ya?"

aaaaaaah, those were the days
i got a lotta shit when i was an apprentice , it all was too much one day and i knocked out the tradesman i was with , i broke 3 ribs on another tradesman a few weeks later , then i bashed the service supervisors face on the wall a few times , the fuckers left me alone after that, there was a long line of apprentice abuse , i had my motorbike vandalized , 2 pairs of shoes munted and some of my tools vandalized

froggyfrenchman

3rd January 2006, 19:30

I lost aprentiship after threatning to put the aprentiship dude's head in the brake press and set to 180degrees. he wasnt too happy.

Lifetime of labouring for the frogman

idb

3rd January 2006, 19:57

Hehe.
Good times.
Aaahhhh!

Ixion

3rd January 2006, 20:50

spose your right . its like saying crescent instaed of adjustable wrench

I ain't right! Or , if I am it's serendipitous. 'Twas a genuine question, I don't know what them is. Ajax valve I know .

Meh , me is geek, me should not be lazy, Googlefu is my friend. Appears that Nefa valve = Apex valve = Ajax valve = all of them pressure reducing valve. Right? So it is just me old friend the ajax valve. Always hidden under the house in the most dirty , inaccessible and head banging on joists bit.

(Oh, and Mr Hitcher - isn't wrench a forbidden Yankeeism for spanner ? - Except in the phrase wrenchwench which is too good to lose)

oldrider

3rd January 2006, 21:09

Hey there Mr Fazer Bloke, can I make a request? That you let us know via this thread what the final outcome to your problem is.
Too many threads on KB are inconclusive and I am a particularly nosey bastard, I like to know the outcomes. :spudwhat: Thanks John.

Rincewind

3rd January 2006, 21:31

Angry Puppy

4th January 2006, 19:35

i got a lotta shit when i was an apprentice , it all was too much one day and i knocked out the tradesman i was with , i broke 3 ribs on another tradesman a few weeks later , then i bashed the service supervisors face on the wall a few times , the fuckers left me alone after that, there was a long line of apprentice abuse , i had my motorbike vandalized , 2 pairs of shoes munted and some of my tools vandalized

Fuck, and there was me thinking about getting out of computers and learning a trade. Fuck that shit, man.

Angry Puppy

4th January 2006, 19:40

Having read the thread I would say it is probably your pressure reducing valve which should be located under the hot water cylinder somewhere really shitty and inconveinent to get to,don't piss about with it,disconnect and remove it,take it to Mico or Chesters and get a repair kit for it,it's easy to do and will cost you about 6 bucks.
Alternatively ring me and I'll come round and do it for you at club members rates Ha Ha

Well, I've attached a photo of the valve beneath the cylinder, just to make sure we are singing from the same hymn sheet. Solakid, how much do you think it would cost for you to do this for me? feel free to PM me if you'd rather not talk prices on the forum. I live in Glenfield if that makes a difference to your call-out. Cheers bro.

FB

Fatjim

4th January 2006, 19:43

you mean a monkey wrench?

Shifting Spanner! Doh

WINJA

4th January 2006, 20:12

well, i've attached a photo of the valve beneath the cylinder, just to make sure we are singing from the same hymn sheet. solakid, how much do you think it would cost for you to do this for me? feel free to pm me if you'd rather not talk prices on the forum. i live in glenfield if that makes a difference to your call-out. cheers bro.

fb
see the top threaded bit , loosen that nut first , stick a small nail in the hole of the adjuster , back it off 1/4turn. if that dont work put it back .
next isolate the water , looks like a screwdriver ball valve in line , that 1/2" one right there , turn on a hot tap make sure its isolated , that black under neath contains the water jet and washer, thats the washer you need to replace , its about the size of a 5c piece and twice as thick , it may reseal if ya flip it but best to replace

kinger

28th December 2007, 08:12

lb99

31st December 2007, 15:08

I know this threads quite old, but I'd like to follow on if I may, and any help greatly appreciated.
My NEFA valve has a mind of it's own. The previous tenant of our house extended the pipe and also fitted a new valve, but it still drips now and again.
It's got a factory setting of 3.7m, but which way do I turn the pressure regulator to reduce the header pressure? In or out? I'm just not sure of the working innards of this thing.
Thanks.

ha, I sell those things, its hard to tell from the pic, is your system valve vented or open vented? ie do you have a copper vent pipe sticking out the roof directly above the hwc? are there any other valves in the line (look for a cold water expansion valve, I think they are supposed to drip), show us some more pics pls
did you ever replace the washer?

is this a rental? call the landlord/property managers, not your problem.

heres the description from the website

http://www.methven.biz/nz/nefa/low/105

also this valve could be the culprit, if installed, also an easy fix
http://www.methven.biz/nz/nefa/low/107

or this if installed, I think they are supposed to drip a bit
http://www.methven.biz/nz/nefa/high/379

Hitcher

31st December 2007, 18:14

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Post-urinal+Drip

kinger

10th January 2008, 17:35

lb99, if you're still seeing this......
The top of the tank has a pipe going straight thru the roof, and the previous tenant extended it to try and stop the drip. You can also see the original valve which he changed in a failed attempt to stop the drip.
Aside from these, there's no other valves I can find, even in the roof space.
However, I now own the house, so it's my problem.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/kinger0_0/Watervalve002.jpg?t=1199943062

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/kinger0_0/Watervalve003.jpg?t=1199943179

Hireawifey

12th November 2011, 17:01

I have the same problem with a Nefa Valve but I was told to replace the washer. How do you know if its a washer or the whole valve that needs replacing and is it easy to do yourself? At the moment I've been turning the lugnut and the drip slows down but doesn't stop.

Having read the thread I would say it is probably your pressure reducing valve which should be located under the hot water cylinder somewhere really shitty and inconveinent to get to,don't piss about with it,disconnect and remove it,take it to Mico or Chesters and get a repair kit for it,it's easy to do and will cost you about 6 bucks.
Alternatively ring me and I'll come round and do it for you at club members rates Ha Ha

kinger

13th November 2011, 05:51

I had the valve apart, and the simplicity of the design basically rules pretty much everything else out.
It's a washer, pushed to it's seat by a spring which you preload with the adjuster handle.
Once you replace the washer, refill the tank, and then you can set the header pressure by adjusting the tap until no water flows through, and none is coming out the pipe onto your roof. Easier to do than to explain actually.

Hinny

13th November 2011, 17:03

Did you replace the washer?

If you did and it still leaks most common advice is to replace the valve.

From personal experience it is a bit dodgy to extend the overflow as this increases the head and the pressure of your shower. This desirable outcome may prove to have an undesirable effect if the increased pressure proves to be too much for the cylinder. In this scenario it ruptures and dumps the contents of the cylinder over the floor. This woeful state is exacerbated if you have gone on holiday and the water flows for two weeks. <label for="rb_iconid_11">http://www.kiwibiker.zyns.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.png</label>