Leak in bathroom - can't get plumber due to SI: what should we do?

[everythingisginandroses]

This evening a small pipe at back of loo has sprung a fast leak (think it connects from cistern). We all have CV19 symptoms so can't get a plumber in here for at least a week. WWYD?

We have put down a container and some towels and considering turning water off at stopcock overnight. Is there anything else we can do? Help!

DH has now discovered there may be an isolation valve he can turn off, does that sound right? Any plumbing/DIY-minded people out there?

Thanks in advance.

DH is a plumber he said is there an isolation value on the pipe to turn it off .No idea what one looks like DH said if you go on the likes of screwfix and google it you will know what to look for .If there isn't it will be turn off at stop cock .

Cross post yes you can turn off at isolation value and that will stop the leak .

We had this a fortnight ago - thank God for the isolation valve.

We had another toilet so wasn’t to much of an issue until we had an opportunity get it fixed. If the kids used it by accident we filled the cistern, switched it off again and then flushed it. You could also use a bucket.

I meant a bucket to flush it with - not to use as a toilet.

Thank you @Cherryblossom70 and @Lucked (your clarification post made me laugh, which is welcome tonight!) We have resorted to turning water off overnight as isolation valve we could find didn't seem to do the trick (must be another one further up the pipe?) This stuff is stressful when you are poorly! Goodnight

Hi, the isolation valve is a cylinder shaped connector on the pipe work. It has what looks like a screw in the middle of it. If you turn the screw so that the vertical line on it is horizontal it will shut off the water to that appliance. Hope this makes sense and helps!

Could you call a plumber and see if they will face time you to try to bodge it? If you put on your local Facebook group you might get someone?

Thanks @DianaBrackley. We will investigate further tomorrow!

post some photos please.

we might be able to guess what it is, but thats not the best way to diagnose faults.

Inside the cistern

under the cistern

looking at the pipe that seems to be leaking.

This is a typical (cheap, poor quality) isolation valve. Observe the thing like a screw head. It does not screw in and out like a tap, you give it a quarter turn. When the slot is parallel to the pipe, it is open water flows. When the slot lies across the direction of the pipe, it is closed.

You can use it to prevent the cistern refilling, them flush the WC to (mostly) empty the cistern. Put a bucket next to the WC so you can fill it at the bath tap and pour it down the pan to flush.

These valves are often built into flexible (metal braided) pipes that connect to the bottom (sometimes side) of the cistern, or to taps.

If the isolation valve isn’t working it might because there is water in the cistern which is leaking at the join to the pipe. Flush until the cistern is empty.

Thank you, everyone. We eventually found another isolation valve that shut off cold water to the bathroom for now - not ideal, but at least we still have hot water and shower.