No water from cold taps upstairs

[HOGEPH]

On several occasions recently, the cold taps upstairs and the toilet cistern have lost flow. After a while the pressure returns. Downstairs taps are fine.

I presume this is something to do with the cold water tank in the loft. Any clues as to what the problem might be?

[ruaricoles]

I'm assuming downstairs cold taps are straight off the mains but the upstairs ones are fed from a header tank (is the pressure always less than the downstairs ones?) in which case perhaps the tank isn't filling up properly and you're emptying it from time to time?

If so get up in the loft and check the tank to see if the float is letting it fill up properly?

[ruaricoles]

I'm assuming downstairs cold taps are straight off the mains but the upstairs ones are fed from a header tank (is the pressure always less than the downstairs ones?) in which case perhaps the tank isn't filling up properly and you're emptying it from time to time?

If so get up in the loft and check the tank to see if the float is letting it fill up properly?

[HOGEPH]

Right, replaced ball cock this morning, everything worked fine. Came home this evening. Ran bath, hot and cold fine. Went to brush teeth afterwards, no water in bathroom sink tap. Header tank full, pressing ball cock down, no water coming out. Kitchen cold tap fine.

Any suggestions?

[DavesFlaps]

I had a similar issue a number of years ago.

There turned out to be a blockage in the cold water tank outlet pipe.

The blockage itself turned out to be the remains of a small bird.

It wasn't a particularly pleasant discovery.

But have you checked the tank for blockages?

[ILoveMondeo]

could be an air lock? Although strange it would come and go...

If you've got separate taps, stick some hose beween the two, run some hot up the cold tap.

If you've got a mixer tap, turn on the hot and cold, stick your hand over the mixer to force the hot back up the cold, should knock it loose.

Here's a fella doing a better job of demonstrating than me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj1uhAqokgM


ETA this one that was up next on you tube made me laugh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ph_vP2vPE

Tools Needed:- HOSEPIPE

Bejesus.

Edited by ILoveMondeo on Friday 15th January 14:21

[RobinOakapple]

HOGEPH said:

Right, replaced ball cock this morning, everything worked fine. Came home this evening. Ran bath, hot and cold fine. Went to brush teeth afterwards, no water in bathroom sink tap. Header tank full, pressing ball cock down, no water coming out. Kitchen cold tap fine.

Any suggestions?

Convention is for the kitchen cold tap to be fed from the rising main. Other cold taps may also be fed from it, or from the tank.