Is a Stopcock a Legal Requirement? It is now a legal requirement for every home to have at least one stopcock. Most properties will have one, situated somewhere close to the water input from the main supply.
Whose responsibility is the stop tap?
Supply pipes run from the boundary of the property (where there may be a company stop-tap) up until the first water fitting or stop-tap inside the property. Stop-taps along the length of the supply pipe, and any water fittings, are the property owner’s responsibility to maintain.
How do I find my water stop tap?
Inside stop taps are normally under the kitchen sink or in the downstairs loo. You may find it in a garage or a utility room. If you can’t find it, check with your neighbours – they’re normally in the same place if your properties are similar. Your stop tap may be next to your meter, if this is fitted inside.
How does a water stopcock work?
An outside stopcock is a form of inline valve that works by rotating a stop or a plug within the chamber to stop the flow of water. … When the handle or key is turned clockwise, the valve is closed and when turned anti-clockwise the valve is open.
How do you turn off mains water supply?
To turn off the water main supply to your home, you can turn off the stop valve. This is normally located in your kitchen under the sink, downstairs, or in a utility room. You can turn off the valve by turning it clockwise.
Where will I find my stopcock?
Your internal stopcock will be located inside your home and is usually found just after the water pipe enters the house. If you have the plans of your house or building, the stopcock will usually be marked ‘SC’. Otherwise it is most likely under your kitchen sink. Turn clockwise to turn off the water supply.
How do you replace a stopcock?
Use a spanner to turn the large nut in the centre of the stopcock anticlockwise to loosen it. Unscrew the tap handle and pull the whole handle and spindle out from the body of the tap. Pull off the old washer from the end of the spindle and replace it with a new one.
What happens if I turn off the water to my house?
Turning off the main water supply to your home is the best defense against flooding caused by a burst pipe or other plumbing failure. … If you do spring a leak inside, the line will be under some initial pressure, but it will not continue to spray water.
What does my stopcock look like?
What does a stopcock look like? A stopcock looks like a tap, but without an outlet spout. It will be between two lengths of pipe, acting as a connector. This allows the stopcock to block the flow of water when it’s closed off.
Can’t find my main water shut off valve?
Just past the meter should be the main water shut-off valve, a red or green handle or knob. If you don’t find the main water shut-off valve inside the house, check outside near an external faucet. This location is most common in warmer climates where frozen pipes aren’t a concern.
Is it legal to turn off water supply?
The short answer is, “No”. It is never legal to shut off some one’s water unless there is damage to the plumbing (i.e. burst pipes) which require the water to be shut off to prevent further damage to the property.
How do I turn the water off to my sink without a valve?
Trace the hot and cold water lines from the faucet tailpieces. Before they go into the wall or floor, there should be a knob or lever on each pipe or line. Most often, this is a football-shaped metal knob, but can also be round or a lever. For a knob, turn it clockwise to shut off the water.
Do all sinks have shut off valves?
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Because they don’t have individual shutoff valves installed under every sink. If you’re facing the same situation, consider putting a valve on every hot- and cold-water supply tube.
Where do you shut off the water to your house?
Look outside: Your main water shut-off valve is likely to be located on the outside wall of your house, usually on the side of the house facing the street. The line begins at the street and runs in a straight line to join up with your home. To shut it off, turn the handle or knife-style valve.
Will pipes burst if water is turned off?
If they have a loss of water too, it may be the result of a main break. But if they have running water, it’s likely your pipes have frozen. Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. … Leaks or pools of water from pipes means there was a burst or crack.
Is it safe to shut off water to house?
Don’t leave home without turning off the water
Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you’re planning to be away for more than 24 hours. Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It’s the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.
How long does it take to replace a stopcock?
To fit a Stopcock it should take no longer than the hour but if it becomes a bigger job then there will be further costs involved (option 1).
Can a stopcock be moved?
Moving a Stopcock
It’s perfectly possible to move the mains stop valve on the water supply coming into your house but it’ll need a bit of planning. If you’ve ever fitted a new kitchen or built an extension you’ll know how the stopcock always seems to be in the most inconvenient place for your plans.