Closed off second lead pipe in kitchen

[MUZ50]

Hi,

We live in a lower flat (one up/one down) and the mains water is delivered to both flats from a single on pavement stopcock. Our central heating system is fed from a tank above the boiler and I believe that this tank is fed from another tank in the upstairs flat's loft.

When running the hot water we can hear lots of bubbling/filling noises above us and also above the boiler where the water tank is. When we run the kitchen or bathroom cold water taps which are both fed from mains we get the same filling noise. As if the water to the cold taps if fed from the tank not from mains.

There is one lead pipe that feeds the cold water taps and another copper pipe feeding the hot water. There's also a closed off lead pipe.


I put my thumb on the cold water tap and I could stop the water from running. My wife is pregnant and we're worried that we could be drinking water from the boiler tanks/loft tanks not from the mains water. I am thinking may be the plumber has connected the wrong lead pipe.



I would greatly appreciate your help to find a solution to this.

many thanks in advance.

Muz

 

[Masood]

It's hard to tell from that. I suggest you turn off the stopcock outside (speak to your neighbour first!) and see if water still flows from your cold taps (and if so, which ones). That will answer your question fully.

 

[MUZ50]

why are there 2 lead pipes in the kitchen?

 

[Masood]

why are there 2 lead pipes in the kitchen?

Possibly one went off to feed the bathroom, and one the kitchen. Or one went upstairs and the other was teed off it to feed downstairs. Or could have been the pipe coming down from the cold water tank. Could even be the relic of an old gas pipe.

 

[MUZ50]

Thanks Masood, that makes sense. I will have to check under floorboards to see where mains water is coming from but that's a big job.

Thanks for your help.

 

[plumben]

From what your saying it sounds like the lead main if feeding a CWSC in the loft which feeds all the cold outlets, this will then also feed a separate tank for the Central heating circuit, you wont be drinking this water, it would be black if you where.


https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...d=0CEgQMygeMB5qFQoTCMXfnsL38ccCFWGn2wodDcwL8w

 

[plumben]

That link to the picture might help you understand

 

[MUZ50]

Thanks plumben, I understand how the system works as in the picture but can you tell me why do I get lots of noises/sound of filling in tanks etc... when running only kitchen mains cold water?

 

[plumben]

The kitchen tap might be connected to the cwsc and not the main?

 

[MUZ50]

I was concerned that would be the case. Does that mean we're drinking water from the cold water tank? is it safe? especially for a pregnant woman!

What would be the solution?

 

[Masood]

I was concerned that would be the case. Does that mean we're drinking water from the cold water tank? is it safe? especially for a pregnant woman!

What would be the solution?

Seriously, stop speculating and worrying. First go turn off your mains and find out for sure. Then we can discuss what can or needs to be done. Right now we're dealing with ifs and maybes!

 

[MUZ50]

Well you're right Masood. I bought a stop key from screwfix and tried to open/close the mains stopcock tap but it was tough and couldn't do anything. I was worried I break it.

So I will get a plumber to look at this as they know better.

Thanks for yours and plumben's help. I really appreciate it.

 

[stevetheplumber]

generally if you can easily stop the flow with your finger its not mains

 

[MUZ50]

I thought so too. Thanks Steve.

 

[plumben]

I was concerned that would be the case. Does that mean we're drinking water from the cold water tank? is it safe? especially for a pregnant woman!

What would be the solution?

Theres nothing wrong with drinking water out of the cwsc as long as the tanks not too dirty, I've been drinking it for the last 18 years until I fitted a filter 2 years ago

 

[MUZ50]

we've been drinking our water for the last 2 years and it is fine but I have become concerned because my wife is pregnant. I can't check the tank as it is in my neighbour's upper flat loft and I wouldn't want to ask to see it.

Any way, I plan to either shut off the mains water stopcock myself but the stopcock keys sold are not strong enough or just get a plumber.

 

[snowhead]

I can't check the tank as it is in my neighbour's upper flat loft and I wouldn't want to ask to see it.

Yes you can, you have a right of access to it, at reasonable times.
And you should check it to see it's condition.

If it splits/leaks your above neighbour will soon be after you for compensation.
The ball valve may be slow to open/ restricted causing the tank to fill slowly.

 

[MUZ50]

I know I have the right to see it but I choose not to.(issues with neighbour). I will hopefully soon change the current boiler to a combi one and get rid of all the tanks. It's gonna be costly though but hopefully worth it at the end.


Thanks snowhead.