Clark Drain CD880 140mm x 115mm x 75mm Stop Tap Stopcock Cover/lid PVC Locking Surround Box

Product Information

A good plumber will install isolation valves to turn off the water to specific taps, basins or tanks, when they install them. It is advised when turning the outside mains water stopcock that you use only the correct tools as the incorrect tools can damage the stop valve. However, some properties will have the mains stopcock within the boundaries, often in the front or back garden areas. If you’re having problems turning your stop tap, then it’s a good idea to get a new one fitted in advance of any emergency. Plumbing parts are made of non-ferrous metals, such as brass or copper, so they corrode and scale up rather than rust.

However, sometimes this isn’t always the case – if so check behind a cabinet kick board, or may even be in another room. The main stopcock valve should be located under the sink other than the mains water stop valve locate outside the boundaries. If the tap will not turn at all and easing oil makes no difference then the main stopcock may either need to be replaced or the stop valve may just need taking apart, cleaning and regressing up so that it is just like new again.U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. As with any mechanical device, time can be unkind and eventually if it is not looked after or used, it will become unusable and need replacing. Your external water mains stopcock will most likely be located on the street, just outside the boundary of your property.

Stopcocks can seize up if left in one position for a long time and you don’t want to be unable to shut it off in an emergency. Trusted trader, AM Plumbing told us: ‘It’s really important to test your stopcock at least once a year. Look for a small manhole cover – it could be metal or plastic, and may have the word water, the letter W, or the name of your water provider printed on the top. This is a long metal tool that has a T-bar handle at one end and a special fitting at the other, which fits around the stopcock valve.However, this is more than long enough for a leak within your property to create some serious damage. Needless to say in accordance to Murphy’s Law, these things happen when it most inconvenient, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Even a simple plumbing job, such as changing a tap on a sink, becomes more complicated and more costly if you’re unable to shut off the water effectively within your home. If you’ve got a water meter fitted, then generally, they will be located in the same chamber to this.

It may also take a few minutes for the water to stop running from your taps, as there will be some water left in the pipes from before you turned the water off. Generally if the turning T-bar is in line with the pipe flow, it is open and across is the closed position . Below are some of the most common questions asked when discussing stopcocks, which we have provided answers for: Is a Stopcock a Legal Requirement? com Ltd acts as a broker and offers finance from a restricted range of finance providers, PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are trading names of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH.

It may also take a few minutes for the water to start running from your taps, as it will need to run through the pipes again. So the answer to stopcocks within the boundary of your property are your responsibility and outside of that on the public areas is the responsibility of the Utility Company. If you can’t locate your stopcock, it can be worth asking your neighbour where theirs is, especially if you live in an older terraced house or flat. Important: if your home is on a shared water supply, turning the water off will also turn your neighbour’s off. Please note: before doing any plumbing work, it’s important to turn these off, as the water held in these tanks will flow even if you’ve already turned off your stopcock.When the handle or key is turned clockwise, the valve is closed and when turned anti-clockwise the valve is open. There may be a clause or stipulation in your tenancy agreement which discusses this, as well as other drainage responsibilities, so it is always best to check if you are unsure. If this is the case, it’s only fair to let them know what’s going on and how long the water is likely to be off for.