Turning Off Your Water Safely
Knowing how to isolate your water supply, and testing that you actually can, is one of the simplest pieces of home preparation there is, and it matters most in the moment you least expect to need it..
Knowing how to isolate your water supply, and testing that you actually can, is one of the simplest pieces of home preparation there is, and it matters most in the moment you least expect to need it.
Finding your main stopcock
It's usually under the kitchen sink, though in some properties it's in a utility room, cellar, or near where the supply pipe enters the house.
Testing it works
A stopcock that hasn't been turned in years can seize; turning it fully off and back on once a year keeps it usable when you need it.
Isolating individual fittings
Many toilets, taps and appliances have their own local isolation valve, which lets you cut water to one fitting without affecting the whole house.
Not sure your stopcock works?
If it's seized, hard to reach, or you can't find it at all, we can check and sort it during any visit.
Questions we get asked
What if my stopcock won't turn?
Don't force it hard enough to damage it; a seized stopcock can be freed or replaced by an engineer before it becomes an emergency.
Is there a stopcock outside the house too?
Many properties have an external stop tap near the boundary, which is useful if the internal one fails or can't be reached.
Does turning off the stopcock stop hot water too?
Yes, since the mains feeds both the cold system and, indirectly, the hot water supply.