you re the best plumber on you tube, I had a full bore tap on where the kitchen sink was and i had to remove for a new kitchen cabinet and put on small isolation valve without a stop end. the isolation valve starting letting a small amount of water through, result loads of water on the floor. don't use the small isolation valves......the full bore red and blue I had no problem.
Thanks so much for posting this. I had to isolate my shower bar because it is dripping and now the two ballofix valves I had to turn to isolate the shower supply are leaking very badly! I’m going to replace them with the full bore isolation valves.
This is quite weird as I've seen 20 year old Ballofixes that work just as well as the day they were installed, and I've never seen one leak. However, I'm from a place with very soft water, so that might be it. The ones used here in Finland are a bit different though, the whole body is hexagonal instead of round, different model perhaps? The most fun part is that Ballofix is the "premium" brand around these parts. As for the washing machine, just fit an Oras tap instead, nice chrome one that'll look just splendid in any bathroom or kitchen. :)
The worst ones are those really old, prototypical ones that have a tiny, tiny, little slot on them. Much smaller than the ones available today. As soon as you turn them, the spindle head breaks and you start to get covered in a fine misting, but quite substantial leak. That is not the time to start locating the mains stop tap that may also be seized or start frantically trying to locate, dig out and turn off the water authority stop tap in the street.
Bored, bored, bored!!! Been without work vehicle all week. New one's getting delivered today and old one is going to the scrap yard in the sky. I might do an upload on it. Like I said. I'm BORED.
Absolutely spot on - they are total crap! They even fit them to compressors carrying 150 psi - try draining them without getting covered in sludgy crap!
I hate the damn things and basically view them with trepidation every time I have to turn that little screw, knowing its going to cost me a £80-100 to get fixed . That's how much it costs to get a plumber in NW London and a typical charge for a good plumber is :£55 plus VAT (£66 with VAT) for the first 15 minutes and £28 plus VAT (£33.60 with VAT) for every quarter of an hour after that. This is for labour charges only. Just got the plumber in to replace a broken WC flush valve and he asked me whether I wanted a new isolation valve because I knew it might leak when turned off and on. I tried it myself before he arrived and it worked okay , but now he's fixed the new flush valve and gone , the ballofix valve has started to leak . There's another £100 gone down the drain to call him back to fix a full bore lever one. Nuts!!!!
Thanks for this video . Is there a temp fix for this until I can get a plumber to install one of the good valves you have recommended. It's the weekend and I have just found one with a leak. thanks
How right you are had to do some work on a toilet cistern had to isolate the water using a ballofix valve and wouldn’t wholly turn off. Managed to do the job but am what a ballofix ache!
@dereton33 Sid James, not Del Boy Trotter (Hancock's Half Hour and the Carry On films) You're confusing Rodney with Babs Windsor. You plonker! lol Supposed to be watching the Rugby cup final. Don't worry I'm recording it. Don't tell me score/result!!!!
Thanks, I have a ballofix valve on the hot tap seized under the sink. I'm wary that if I try to force it it may leak and the hot gate valve at the cylinder is also seized, so have to freeup or replace that first.. Will get the lever ballvalves😊
dereton33 they are ballofix but to be honest I probably won’t be isolating them again till I next change the taps so should be a few years I will just change them then, unless they leak in the meantime of course.
Great video. I have a JG Speedfit service valve which I turned off to replace my shower valve. However it will not turn back on as the screw driver just slips off. I noticed that there is a hole in the middle of the screw head with a thread on it so was wondering If there is a special tool to fit into it. Any suggestions accepted.
In America they have a handle on their isolation valves allowing them to turn them using just their hands. No need for any screwdrivers. Do we have anything similar over here in the UK?
Now you tell me! I've recently fitted several of these to my cisterns and basins. When I was buying them I did notice that there are different versions available at a wide range of prices so perhaps you get what you pay for. Do I not remember a video from you recommending these valves to be fitted and demonstrating how to do it? I knew that the problem exists with washing maching taps. I always turn my washing machine taps off after each use and haven't had a problem but I also know someone who leaves them on permanently and when a hose sprung a leak overnight they found that the tap was seized and they couldn't turn it off. I also have a problem with a sixty year old supatap. It's in a toilet that rarely gets used and started to leak. I tried to unscrew the body to change the washer but it jammed and wouldn't come off. The tap is now in the ON position so I then tried to screw the body back on which would turn the tap OFF but it jammed again. So now it's permanently siezed in the ON postion and won't turn at all in either direction. Even brute force with a large Stillsons wrench with no regard to damage failed to budge it. I think all these problems are due to the build up of limescale although we are not in a particularly hard water area.
Yes number 33, I do remember doing a video on fitting these cheap valves and did recommend them as they were cheap and better than nothing, but I have had so many bad reports since then about them, I decided to give every one the low down that they are not so good after all. They work fine for about a year, then after that, they either do not turn any more or leak .
@@dereton33Thanks for the prompt reply. That's what I initially thought as I'd had a similar problem with one of my gate valves, but this flexi hose was only installed nine months ago. When I disconnected the flexi hose from the tank, then turned the water on the water then comes through ok which surely means the problem is the tank end? I've got other leaks in the tank anyway and it's 35 years old so maybe time for a new toilet?
Hi I'm trying ti change my bath taps but both isolators have failed and my stop cock doesn't work either.Shall i turn my combi boiler off and all the valves under it and the outside mains stop valve?
If I close this valve, can I unscrew the top end (upstream) of the isolator body? Or will water pour out? I think my isolator it leaking slightly from the top thread and want to smear some compound.
Does the same apply to John guest push fit isolation valves? Are they just as bad? Or are these still reliable to use as apposed to the full bore valves? Peter from Southampton. 2nd February 2021 Tuesday afternoon at 13:08H
I never, ever put them on even as a temporary measure, without making sure that the outlet end is also temporarily capped with a short section of pie and a stop end. They are also directional (look for the arrow denoting flow direction) and if accidentally put on the wrong way around, they can blow off.
Hello, me again (if you are my question about these on you other video), I've got one of these crappy valves (not my choice, I hate them) & it doesn't turn off (surprise, surprise), I need to remove my tape but can't till I can shut off the water, the same pipe has another valve ( brake handle type) but I can't turn that off either as it's ceased & I can't use a monkey wrench on it as it's too close to the side of a kitchen cupboard, How do I free either one of them to turn my water off, if I get to turn the 'main' brake water valve off I'll replace the crappy little one. Good video's. Thanks.
@@DavidJHarrisonEssex if you are in an apt I guess you don't have a water meter outside somewhere? I use that by the entrance to the property line to turn off the water for plumbing jobs in my house because it's more convenient and a much better quality valve than anything in the house.
@@IAmDanIAmNotSam Yeah, I'm moving to a house & doing my Appartment up to rent, I have bought a 'Frozen' set to try to freeze it, my waste water pipe is blocked & nothing I have done seems to.remove it so I'll call the insurer who maybe able to do both.
Our radiator drain valve is a ballofix. I want to empty the F&E tank to add X200, but am a bit worried about touching the valve in case it leaks when I close it again. Do these things generally leak in the closed position? Is it better to add X200 via a rad valve instead?
But if you buy a better quality ball valve brand like Pegler, you get exactly the same valve with the screw, lever or T fitting. I think it's more about the quality of ball valve isolator fitting rather than the mechanism to open or close the valve. I think the best ones now have ceramic washers instead of the cheap rubber ones that cause all the problems
Just wrap some blue electrical tape around the handle. Now, I know it's an ugly fudge, but they are nearly always tucked away where they can't easily be seen.
The worst ones are those really old, prototypical ones that have a tiny, tiny, little slot on them. Much smaller than the ones available today. As soon as you turn them, the spindle head breaks and you start to get covered in a fine misting, but quite substantial leak. That is not the time to start locating the mains stop tap that may also be seized or start frantically trying to locate, dig out and turn off the water authority stop tap in the street. If you ever come across one... isolate the mains and completely drain down first and cut the bugger out. Trust me on this issue. Been there, seen it and got the wet shirt.
Thank you yet again for pointing me in the right direction with a watery issue. You are truly a Plumbing God!
You are so welcome
you re the best plumber on you tube, I had a full bore tap on where the kitchen sink was and i had to remove for a new kitchen cabinet and put on small isolation valve without a stop end. the isolation valve starting letting a small amount of water through, result loads of water on the floor. don't use the small isolation valves......the full bore red and blue I had no problem.
Great job!
Thanks so much for posting this. I had to isolate my shower bar because it is dripping and now the two ballofix valves I had to turn to isolate the shower supply are leaking very badly! I’m going to replace them with the full bore isolation valves.
You're welcome!
You plumbers must have the patients of saints. All my isolation valves have seized up, I live in a high limescale water area.
Rubbish aren't they.
This is quite weird as I've seen 20 year old Ballofixes that work just as well as the day they were installed, and I've never seen one leak. However, I'm from a place with very soft water, so that might be it. The ones used here in Finland are a bit different though, the whole body is hexagonal instead of round, different model perhaps? The most fun part is that Ballofix is the "premium" brand around these parts. As for the washing machine, just fit an Oras tap instead, nice chrome one that'll look just splendid in any bathroom or kitchen. :)
so true i have come across this problem so many times even once on a brand new one i had just installed
The worst ones are those really old, prototypical ones that have a tiny, tiny, little slot on them. Much smaller than the ones available today. As soon as you turn them, the spindle head breaks and you start to get covered in a fine misting, but quite substantial leak.
That is not the time to start locating the mains stop tap that may also be seized or start frantically trying to locate, dig out and turn off the water authority stop tap in the street.
Good tips from loafer, be warned about these valves. Ha ha.
Bored, bored, bored!!! Been without work vehicle all week. New one's getting delivered today and old one is going to the scrap yard in the sky.
I might do an upload on it. Like I said. I'm BORED.
Absolutely spot on - they are total crap! They even fit them to compressors carrying 150 psi - try draining them without getting covered in sludgy crap!
I hate the damn things and basically view them with trepidation every time I have to turn that little screw, knowing its going to cost me a £80-100 to get fixed . That's how much it costs to get a plumber in NW London and a typical charge for a good plumber is :£55 plus VAT (£66 with VAT) for the first 15 minutes and £28 plus VAT (£33.60 with VAT) for every quarter of an hour after that. This is for labour charges only. Just got the plumber in to replace a broken WC flush valve and he asked me whether I wanted a new isolation valve because I knew it might leak when turned off and on. I tried it myself before he arrived and it worked okay , but now he's fixed the new flush valve and gone , the ballofix valve has started to leak . There's another £100 gone down the drain to call him back to fix a full bore lever one. Nuts!!!!
Wow more good reasons to do it yourself.
based on the video and all the comments I have decided to fit 'Pegler Tee Ball Valve Blue 15mm' (full bore) to my toilet water supply. Many thanks !
Best bet.
Thanks for this video . Is there a temp fix for this until I can get a plumber to install one of the good valves you have recommended. It's the weekend and I have just found one with a leak. thanks
Unfortunately no.
@@dereton33 thanks. Plumber out today. Got ballofix removed and a straight pipe replaced it. Enjoy your channel. Thanks.
How right you are had to do some work on a toilet cistern had to isolate the water using a ballofix valve and wouldn’t wholly turn off. Managed to do the job but am what a ballofix ache!
I'll do the Sid James stuff on this forum, if ya don't mind. :-)
Can I be Rodney.
@dereton33 Sid James, not Del Boy Trotter (Hancock's Half Hour and the Carry On films)
You're confusing Rodney with Babs Windsor.
You plonker! lol
Supposed to be watching the Rugby cup final. Don't worry I'm recording it. Don't tell me score/result!!!!
Now Babs in the carry on films where her bra flies off, is just so funny.
Thanks, I have a ballofix valve on the hot tap seized under the sink.
I'm wary that if I try to force it it may leak and the hot gate valve at the cylinder is also seized, so have to freeup or replace that first.. Will get the lever ballvalves😊
Great idea
I just fitted one last week to my taps in the kitchen, they seem fine but will let you know if have any leaks.
They should be fine for the first year, unless you fitted higher spec Peggler ones.
dereton33 they are ballofix but to be honest I probably won’t be isolating them again till I next change the taps so should be a few years I will just change them then, unless they leak in the meantime of course.
If they are not touched they will be ok.
I believe the cheaper ones have a rubber seal (which leak) and the good quality ones have a ceramic seal 👍
Yes the Peggler ones are the better ones with the ceramic seal. Only ones worth buying.
Thanks for the video and your helpful knowledge - helped me out on a job today. MY thanks.
Very welcome
Great video. I have a JG Speedfit service valve which I turned off to replace my shower valve. However it will not turn back on as the screw driver just slips off. I noticed that there is a hole in the middle of the screw head with a thread on it so was wondering If there is a special tool to fit into it. Any suggestions accepted.
Not that I know of.
In America they have a handle on their isolation valves allowing them to turn them using just their hands. No need for any screwdrivers. Do we have anything similar over here in the UK?
Yes we have those also.
Now you tell me! I've recently fitted several of these to my cisterns and basins. When I was buying them I did notice that there are different versions available at a wide range of prices so perhaps you get what you pay for. Do I not remember a video from you recommending these valves to be fitted and demonstrating how to do it?
I knew that the problem exists with washing maching taps. I always turn my washing machine taps off after each use and haven't had a problem but I also know someone who leaves them on permanently and when a hose sprung a leak overnight they found that the tap was seized and they couldn't turn it off.
I also have a problem with a sixty year old supatap. It's in a toilet that rarely gets used and started to leak. I tried to unscrew the body to change the washer but it jammed and wouldn't come off. The tap is now in the ON position so I then tried to screw the body back on which would turn the tap OFF but it jammed again. So now it's permanently siezed in the ON postion and won't turn at all in either direction. Even brute force with a large Stillsons wrench with no regard to damage failed to budge it.
I think all these problems are due to the build up of limescale although we are not in a particularly hard water area.
Yes number 33, I do remember doing a video on fitting these cheap valves and did recommend them as they were cheap and better than nothing, but I have had so many bad reports since then about them, I decided to give every one the low down that they are not so good after all. They work fine for about a year, then after that, they either do not turn any more or leak .
What if you're turning the valve on (counter clockwise) and the water doesn't come on - the valve just keeps spinning?
The valve is broken.
@@dereton33Thanks for the prompt reply. That's what I initially thought as I'd had a similar problem with one of my gate valves, but this flexi hose was only installed nine months ago. When I disconnected the flexi hose from the tank, then turned the water on the water then comes through ok which surely means the problem is the tank end? I've got other leaks in the tank anyway and it's 35 years old so maybe time for a new toilet?
Hi I'm trying ti change my bath taps but both isolators have failed and my stop cock doesn't work either.Shall i turn my
combi boiler off and all the valves under it and the outside mains stop valve?
Just the main outside stop tap.
@@dereton33 thanks
Yep good video I hate those things, full bore iso valve every time.
If I close this valve, can I unscrew the top end (upstream) of the isolator body? Or will water pour out? I think my isolator it leaking slightly from the top thread and want to smear some compound.
Yes you can there will be some small amount of dead water that`s all.
Does the same apply to John guest push fit isolation valves? Are they just as bad? Or are these still reliable to use as apposed to the full bore valves? Peter from Southampton. 2nd February 2021 Tuesday afternoon at 13:08H
The John guest ones are much better, but full bore valves are still the best.
Really informative 👏
Glad it was helpful!
A plumber put one of these on as a stopper in an emergency, will it be ok as long as I don’t touch it?
I never, ever put them on even as a temporary measure, without making sure that the outlet end is also temporarily capped with a short section of pie and a stop end. They are also directional (look for the arrow denoting flow direction) and if accidentally put on the wrong way around, they can blow off.
Short section of !pie?" Freudian slip it's breakfast time. Apologies, I meant pipe.
Prefer pie Loafer. Ha ha.
@dereton33 I'm off to watch the rugby... Pie for lunch then off to work.
Note in diary "Saturday pm-------------> work"
Response
Bugger!
Can u use the yellow handle gas ones for the water. Heard you can but really ? Thanks.
No I would stick with the proper colour for what you are using it for.
Hello, me again (if you are my question about these on you other video), I've got one of these crappy valves (not my choice, I hate them) & it doesn't turn off (surprise, surprise), I need to remove my tape but can't till I can shut off the water, the same pipe has another valve ( brake handle type) but I can't turn that off either as it's ceased & I can't use a monkey wrench on it as it's too close to the side of a kitchen cupboard, How do I free either one of them to turn my water off, if I get to turn the 'main' brake water valve off I'll replace the crappy little one. Good video's.
Thanks.
Best to renew both of them.
@@dereton33 I'm trying but I can't shut the water off, im in an apartment, they are the only 2 I have to turn the water off with.
@@DavidJHarrisonEssex if you are in an apt I guess you don't have a water meter outside somewhere? I use that by the entrance to the property line to turn off the water for plumbing jobs in my house because it's more convenient and a much better quality valve than anything in the house.
@@IAmDanIAmNotSam Yeah, I'm moving to a house & doing my Appartment up to rent, I have bought a 'Frozen' set to try to freeze it, my waste water pipe is blocked & nothing I have done seems to.remove it so I'll call the insurer who maybe able to do both.
Our radiator drain valve is a ballofix. I want to empty the F&E tank to add X200, but am a bit worried about touching the valve in case it leaks when I close it again. Do these things generally leak in the closed position? Is it better to add X200 via a rad valve instead?
Use the rad valve, those things always leak.
@@dereton33 Thanks Al! That will also save climbing into the loft with my dodgy back!
Is it a hard water problem? We have very soft water where I live and never have these leaks.
No they are just poor quality unless you have the better made ones like Peggler.
Currently having issues with my boiler and now this is another issue to add to the list ..
It never stops.
hey mate my pop up sink plug mechanism has snapped will i have to replace the full thing or is possible to drill it out ? thanks in advance
Best to replace the whole thing.
@@dereton33 thanks thought that would be best option, your videos have helped with many an issue for me thanks again
No problem gs.
i totally agree al the lever ball valve they are the quality enjoyed the video.
Thanks Ratch.
But if you buy a better quality ball valve brand like Pegler, you get exactly the same valve with the screw, lever or T fitting. I think it's more about the quality of ball valve isolator fitting rather than the mechanism to open or close the valve. I think the best ones now have ceramic washers instead of the cheap rubber ones that cause all the problems
I only ever seen to have problems with the chrome valves
Some are better mate.
thank you
You're welcome
Ban the ballofix!
I am with you on that one.
I buy Pegler.
@hffp1 oh that's a good idea.
I've always thought a full bore pegler is or maybe better than a unreliable stop cock.
Just wrap some blue electrical tape around the handle. Now, I know it's an ugly fudge, but they are nearly always tucked away where they can't easily be seen.
@@loafersheffield yep
The worst ones are those really old, prototypical ones that have a tiny, tiny, little slot on them. Much smaller than the ones available today. As soon as you turn them, the spindle head breaks and you start to get covered in a fine misting, but quite substantial leak.
That is not the time to start locating the mains stop tap that may also be seized or start frantically trying to locate, dig out and turn off the water authority stop tap in the street.
If you ever come across one... isolate the mains and completely drain down first and cut the bugger out. Trust me on this issue. Been there, seen it and got the wet shirt.
like like
Thanks.