Water stopcock / mains

[HB]Rugrat

[HB]Rugrat

[HB]Rugrat

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Joined
29 Jan 2003
Posts
1,210
I've got a feeling this is going to cost me an arm and a leg but I needed to shut off my water supply recently only to have the handle on the stopcock tap break off in my hand. It's not leaking or anything but shutting off the supply from that point (in my kitchen) seems pretty much impossible. "Not to worry, I know where the outdoor mains tap is" I thought, so off I went to shut it off there... only for the bugger to snap off as well (It's recessed quite deep down so I can't really see exactly what happened, only that the tool I got to turn it won't connect with anything now).

Anyone any experience with this sort of problem that can offer hope (or at least a ballpark estimate)? Or do I just bend over and wait for United Utilities?
 
The outside stopcock (usually with the meter in modern installations) is the property of your water company. Advise them that it's broken and they will come and replace/fix, it shouldn't cost you anything.
 
As already stated; the outdoor stop **** is your water companies problem. Ring them and they will come and dig the road up and fix it.
 
This has to be a warning for everyone on here -Go round all your stop taps and make sure they all work - do it before winter sets in.
 
Also don't fully turn it either way, turn back a quarter turn and they don't seize up as easily.
Swapped my internal one to a ball valve as well.
 
robj20 said:
Also don't fully turn it either way, turn back a quarter turn and they don't seize up as easily.
Swapped my internal one to a ball valve as well.
Click to expand...
There's debate on this - leaving a tap slightly open can erode the mechanism as it's exposed to the flow. Then it won't stop the flow fully when closed.

I haven't stayed anywhere long enough to see if this is true mind! But a period close and reopen should be enough IMO.
 
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