Opinions on Aladdin Easy Fit Isolator

[suk]

Hi all, newbie (DIYer) here. Would like to hear from anyone who has had any problem after using the Aladdin easy fix isolator please.
I'm in a bit of a fix with a broken bathroom basin tap with no means of turning the cold feed off. The internal stopcock is stuck and I'm reluctant to force it as I could not even find the external one in the chamber in my front garden.
The water board came and eventually dug it out but found it was also broken when trying to turn it off, they are coming out on September 8th to replace it.
Luckily the top of the tap broke while the water was not running so gushing water is not a problem.
I was thinking of getting the Aladdin kit but notice a reluctance in professional plumbers in using it, would love to hear pro's and cons from people that have actually used it.
Thanks

 

[Dotty]

Look at this review thread.

http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/product-reviews/60517-aladdin-easyfit-isolator-williams-co.html

 

[suk]

Thanks croppie, I have read that review which is excellent but I was wondering if anyone had used it and wasn't happy with it. All the reviews I have read have been positive so far but many are quite old.
I am very tempted to try it out just looking for a bit of reassurance I guess.

 

[REDSAW]

why not get a plumber in to repair stopcock not that hard usualy?

 

[suk]

why not get a plumber in to repair stopcock not that hard usualy?

I will do that when Severn Trent fix the external stopcock but both guys that have come out won't touch anything until that has been done.
The internal stopcock is in a really awkward location right next to the the waste pipe with very limited space so I'm guessing that is not going to be a simple job.
I'm really looking to fit the isolator so I can have running water in the bathroom basin again rather than waiting another two weeks for the external work to be completed.

 

[rpm]

Watch the video and go for it, just make sure you have enough room to move the lever to both open and closed postions though.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

also make sure you have enough room around the pipe to fit the easy fit.

 

[REDSAW]

I will do that when Severn Trent fix the external stopcock but both guys that have come out won't touch anything until that has been done.
The internal stopcock is in a really awkward location right next to the the waste pipe with very limited space so I'm guessing that is not going to be a simple job.
I'm really looking to fit the isolator so I can have running water in the bathroom basin again rather than waiting another two weeks for the external work to be completed.

can u loosen the gland nut? the aladin will do a permanent job tho

 

[suk]

can u loosen the gland nut? the aladin will do a permanent job tho

I will give the gland nut a try once I have a definite method of turning the water off in case it all goes wrong. I'm surprised neither of the guys gave that a go.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[rpm]

The only downside is the hole inside that the water flows though is reduced to around 10mm.

 

[suk]

Just an update.
I decided to go ahead and fit the Aladdin Isolator although I would say it is a bit nerve-wracking for a DIYer.
Biggest problem was cutting the pipe with a 18V cordless drill, I fully charged it but it just didn't want to do the job. I then tried a mains operated drill and that too struggled to make the cut.
After a fair bit of indecision I finally tried a socket wrench and much to my relief I found that worked.
I was a bit concerned as some water did escape while doing it (something I didn't see on the videos) but that didn't last long and I managed to complete the job with no further trouble.
In my experience I would say the Aladdin Easyfit Isolator is a good piece of kit that would be a doddle for the professional to use but I could understand amateurs like myself being wary of using it.
I'm glad I did as I now have a shiny new basin tap in the bathroom and the wife and daughters will hopefully be off my back for a while.
Now to get someone in to change the main internal stopcock once the water board have done their job outside.