Originally Posted by
hkstroud
..
Hi Harold,
Happy New Year,
This is how the issue of replacing the valve in loft cold water tank was resolved.
I concluded that I would either have to cut the nut off, which needed a hacksaw that could cut close to the tank, which I do not have or use a blow torch to heat the nut and then try to remove it with grips. I do not have a blow torch, the nut is so shallow that I was not confident that I could grip the nut without the grips slipping off and was also concerned about the fire risk to my home if I used a blow torch.
I did not make the cold water inlet elbow water tight after reassembling during one of my several attempts at replacement and caused a leak that stained a ceiling, which finally decided me to consider getting a plumber.
I e-mailed a plumber explained the situation and attached photos of the plumbing.
I hired the plumber. He preferred not to use a blow torch because of the fire risk. With the elbow disconnected he used a suitable hacksaw and cut the centre of the pipe from right to left and then cut the nut in half. After removing the nut he hit the pipe through the hole in the tank, because the valve is attached to the pipe on the inside of the tank the whole unit was released.
I had bought a similar brass valve to replace the existing valve. Despite its design drawbacks, all the maintenance the existing valve had ever needed was to replace a small rubber washer.
He would have installed my valve but I preferred the brass valve he brought that uses a diaphragm to stop the water and plastic retaining nuts that will not seize. He replaced the existing cold water supply elbow (one fixing nut) with a more suitable elbow (two fixing nuts).
The plumber was very helpful and provided other advice.
I was annoyed that I had not attempted to cut the nut off myself but relieved that the plumber had quickly and conveniently replaced the valve.
Best wishes,
Jim (UK)