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stebar4711 · Sep 18, 2015, 09:01 AM

I replaced the internals in my toilet yesterday. Prior to this, I had good flow of water to the toilet. I have replaced the internal valve and the water supply hose. When I turned on the water supply, there was no flow. I removed the valve stem, checked the washers and such, checked to see if there was any obstructions, put it back together again, and still no flow. The rest of the house has good water pressure, but nothing in the toilet tank. Any suggestions? HELP!! :-)

hkstroud · Sep 18, 2015, 09:23 AM

I removed the valve stem, checked the washers and such, checked to see if there was any obstructions, put it back together again, and still no flow.

Only one thing left and that is debris blocking the stop valve. That debris is probably solder. If too much solder is used when soldering a vertical pipe joint, the hot solder will run inside the pipe, fall and splatter on a cold pipe. That hot solder will not stick to a cold pipe. It can lay there for years until the water flow moves it to the next valve.

Remove the stop valve, using a container to catch the water, have an assistant turn on the water and flush the pipe. Reinstall the stop valve.

stebar4711 · Sep 18, 2015, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Only one thing left and that is debris blocking the stop valve. That debris is probably solder. If too much solder is used when soldering a vertical pipe joint, the hot solder will run inside the pipe, fall and splatter on a cold pipe. That hot solder will not stick to a cold pipe. It can lay there for years until the water flow moves it to the next valve.

Remove the stop valve, using a container to catch the water, have an assistant turn on the water and flush the pipe. Reinstall the stop valve.

Well, The shut off valve has been in there for a long time, and was joined to a PVC elbow, with almost no extra pipe to cut off and replace the elbow. Never has been solder in it, but it is weird it was working yesterday, until I shut it off to replace the toilets guts. When I first turn it on, it might run for a few seconds, and then just shut down suddenly. I am wondering if there is something in the valve itself that can be jamming up. I am a complete novice when it comes to things of this type, but do know how to think it through logically. This just seems so strange.
Appreciate your help.

hkstroud · Sep 18, 2015, 10:06 AM

Sorry just made an assumption that you had copper pipes.

When I first turn it on, it might run for a few seconds, and then just shut down suddenly.

That sounds like a loose washer.

and was joined to a PVC elbow,

Is this a glued on PVC valve or a compression fit chrome valve?

stebar4711 · Sep 18, 2015, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by stebar4711

Well, The shut off valve has been in there for a long time, and was joined to a PVC elbow, with almost no extra pipe to cut off and replace the elbow. Never has been solder in it, but it is weird it was working yesterday, until I shut it off to replace the toilets guts. When I first turn it on, it might run for a few seconds, and then just shut down suddenly. I am wondering if there is something in the valve itself that can be jamming up. I am a complete novice when it comes to things of this type, but do know how to think it through logically. This just seems so strange.
Appreciate your help.

Just a quick update, my friend. I did as you suggested, and lo and behold, there was a big bunch of air trapped in the line. Did not find any physical blockage, but once I flushed the line out, the situation is back to a working normal. Thanks so much for the expertise. On to the next problem now. LOL

hkstroud · Sep 18, 2015, 11:15 AM

Hooray, you deserve an "Atta Boy".