Bathroom cold water supply problems

[Brig01]

Hi


In our house the cold water supply has stopped working in the bathroom. When the taps are fully open only a small trickle comes out. The sink in the kitchen got good pressure but I think this is mains fed while the bathroom is fed from a tank in the loft.


We got the old central heating/water system with a timer based boiler and a copper tank in one of our wardrobes.


We have a plastic water tank in the loft and a few weeks ago I saw some insulation floating around in the water. I fished out what I could of it but I'm thinking now that something might have worked it's way into the pipe to the bathroom and got stuck somewhere.


I have tried to blow into the cold water tap at the sink but this hasn't helped.


What I'm thinking now is to shut the main water supply off and drain the tank in the loft. Then bring the garden hosepipe in to the bathroom and try to flush the pipe from the tap up to the tank in the loft.


Does this sound like a good idea? I obviously don't want to damage any other parts of the system so if you think I should try something different please let me know.


Would be very gratefull for any help!

 

[Simon F]

has the flow suddenly slowed right down, or has it been gradual over an extended time period?
if its sudden then yes suspect a single blockage as described
if its been over time could be pipes are furred up, and may need re piping

 

[Brig01]

Thanks for the reply Simon. It happened literally over night. In the evening it was normal pressure, next morning just a trickle.

Do you think my plan sounds like a good idea?

 

[Simon F]

clearly a blockage as you suggest probably the insulation
yes try to push it back up, and see what happens, if it works well done,
if it doesn't then its a potentially expensive job

 

[Brig01]

Great thanks, I'll try it and report back!

 

[gassafe]

If its slowed down all the cold fed supplies then it must be in the main outlet pipe from the tank to the bathroom, the first restriction where the insulation may have got lodged may be the first bend from the tank or possibly a gate valve in an airing cupboard.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

the blockage might have made it's way to the tap. first thing i would try is take the valve out of the tap. i had this once.

 

[Brig01]

It affects both the sink tap and the bathtub so I think it must be somewhere before it reaches the bathroom. Will probably have to wait until the weekend before I try to execute my plan.

Thanks for all the help so far, will make sure to let you know how I get on.

 

[Brig01]

Just thought I'd report back on this. On Saturday I tried what I posted earlier. I emptied the tank in the loft and connected the hosepipe to the cold water tap. Flushed water back into the tank. Emptied the tank again and cleaned it out completely. Now the pressure is better than it's ever been!

Did the same to the hot water tap and the pressure on the hot water is now a lot better than before as well!

Thanks for the advice all. Very relieved that it all worked out!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

thank you for letting us know the outcome glad you've got it sorted