I live in a bungalow. The central heating and hot water system is vented and pumped with a Y plan valve.
The H.W tank, which stands about 3 ft off the floor in a cupboard, has a couple of conventional brass draincocks on the attached pipework, one of which is on the hot pipe coming from the Y plan valve. This draincock has been dripping very slowly for some time but now I collect a cup of water in a few days so I think it needs attention, I guess the washer in the draincock has perished.
Does it require a draindown of all the central heating and H.W pipework in the loft to replace the draincock washer? Is it a job to be left to a plumber or is it one that a someone with basic DIY skill could do? I had plugged the draincock outlet but now I see it drips from around the close/open protrusion.
Advice would be appreciated.

 

Without a picture of what you have we're guessing a bit. But if it's a standard type boiler/sillcock valve the washer is easily replaced. If you can do it without draining the system depends on how much water you want to spill and the valve's configuration.

If the valve's knob is straight in line with the pipe feeding the valve and the output of the valve is off at an angle then it's pretty easy to do without draining the system. I use a tapered wood plug. If you want to buy it they are sold for emergency marine use to plug holes. You can make one pretty easily with a scrap of soft wood like most 2x4's. Cut the wood in a tapered cone. First I shut off the water supply to the system and open a valve to relieve all the pressure. Then you can remove the valve's guts and then gently tap the wood plug into the valve to stop the water. This will give you time to remove the old washer and install the new one.

If you don't want to spill water or if the valve is a different configuration then I'd drain the system. Even working quickly it might take you a minute to replace the washer. Either way, it's a very simple job so a DIY'er with average skills should be able to do it without much trouble.

This type of valve is easy to use a tapered wood plug to stop the water.

 

Hello P. Dane. Thanks for your reply.
To make myself clearer, the draincock valve seems to be referred to as a Type A. The short on/off spindle protrudes through a nut, the outer edge of which is serrated. The spindle is spanner operated. There is no gate valve style handle. The outlet is angled.
I have already bunged the outlet with a piece of circular wood to which I added Plumbers Mate, as this was the original place from which the drip was coming. It is now dripping from around the spindle.
From what you say, it seems I would need to undo and remove the serrated nut, then I guess unscrew the spindle which holds the washer and speedily plug the circular opening to provide time to change the washer.
You mention relieving pressure in the system. However, with the pump off I assume the only pressure.is that from the F&E tank and pipework which I am stuck with.

 

Not an easy job without draining the system.
Probably quicker and easier to replace valve.
Repairing a UK type A drain c*ck video

 

Thanks PJmax. A very useful video. My faulty draincock is soldered onto the pipework as shown in the video. Looks more and more like a job for a plumber. I suppose it might be possible to purchase a new draincock and use the removeable innards in the hope of doing a quick change. I guess there might be size differences however between the old and the new.