Leatmere

Knowledge base · Water supply

What should I do if my stopcock will not turn?

By the Leatmere teamChecked

Do not force a stopcock that will not turn. WaterSafe advises gentle operation and says a valve that will not budge needs a plumber to replace it. Extra leverage or impacts can turn a maintenance problem into a leak.

First make sure you have identified the incoming stop tap rather than a local valve. If it is stiff, leaking, rounded off or fails to stop the water, leave it accessible and arrange repair or replacement. If there is an active leak, contain water where it is safe to do so and call a plumber.

The external stop tap may isolate the property, but WaterSafe says it usually belongs to the water supplier. Suppliers do not all allow customers to operate it, and damage may leave the customer liable. Ask the supplier what to do, particularly where the chamber is in a pavement, serves more than one home or is difficult to reach.

Do not use a valve under a boiler as a substitute for the home's main stop tap. Leatmere does not give instructions for boiler or gas valves; any work on a gas boiler or gas pipe is for a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Plan the repair while the water supply is still working. Give the plumber photographs of the valve and the surrounding pipework, explain whether it leaks or simply fails to close, and make the area accessible. Ask how the supply will be isolated while the valve is replaced. If the outside stop tap is shared, the water supplier or neighbours may need to be involved. Keep the plumber's details beside the stop tap so the next person can act quickly.

Sources

On Leatmere

See stopcocks and water meters and when to call a Gas Safe engineer.

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