water screwy thing

[tamborine]

the outside water for troughs is controlled by a screwy thing in the pipe....fitted to avoid freezing pipes. I can't manage the screw thing (not strong enuf) - what else can be fitted to switch the water on/off.

[Canary42]

A stopcock possibly (unless that's what you mean by a screwy thing (not a very helpful description)). Or a ball-valve. Or a gate-valve.

[tamborine]

its a flat (straight line as opposed to Phillips) screw kinda embedded in the pipe. The original plumber said I have to close it in freezing weather but now it just runs mad & I can hear water running all night - drives me mad. There no space for a tap.

[tamborine]

What's a gate valve....have you got a piccy I can see Canary42, please

[tamborine]

that wont fit, 2-fat-ladies, 'cause the pipe runs along ceiling of outside loo

[tamborine]

no space for that either 2-fat-ladies, thanx ..... anything else?

[Canary42]

Any good ?

http://www.screwfix.c...Lever-Ball-Valve-15mm

[tamborine]

not yours canary but the 2-fat-ladies one will fit....but I think that's the screwy I have that I cant tighten.

[tamborine]

canary, can yours be fitted sideways ?

[Canary42]

I would have thought that any of the devices shown so far can be fitted sideways (or upside-down for that matter), if I understand you right (I am a bit puzzled by your "not enough room" point - if there's enough room to apply a screwdriver to your present device then anything with a permanent shank instead should fit also, but I may be missing something).

My only other suggestion would be to fit something elsewhere in the supply pipe where perhaps there is more room, but I realise this may not be viable..

You are right about the 2-fat-ladies one being the "screwy thing". Incidentally this device doesn't "tighten" so much as just turn through 90 degrees, if you continue to turn it it will then open again after another 90 degrees, then close again after a further 90 degrees and so on - whichever direction you turn it.

[tamborine]

I have to fit a short screw-driver into it to turn it (long ones dont work) but I cant switch it off. The ball cock on the trough has snapped & isn't made anymore. The pipe guage is OOdate (?) I know it sounds rubbish excuses but I can't get passed it with my plumber.

Am hoping you can tell me what I can say to him.

[Canary42]

It sounds like it has seized up - have you asked the plumber to move it (this might free it up).

Regarding out-of-date fittings, it is possible to get conversion fittings to change the old imperial size to metric size, then fit a new metric size ballcock I would have thought.

Example fitting here http://www.wickes.co....=31&searchsubmit.y=14

[tamborine]

the plumber will be seeing your suggestions. I dont know what that last bits for canary? The ball cock has a thin copper pipe fitted that is not made any more. Not sure how plastic would work.

[tamborine]

none of these youngsters are (ooops - sorry) but my old boy has gone to live in Spain. I told him he didn't have to go that far to avoid me.

[society]

Ball and cock are not permitted next to each other… in the same sentence.

[tamborine]

no rules after midnight