How Do I Turn The Stopcock Off Please

[rosyposy]

The cold water will not come out of the bathroom handbasin tap, presume it needs a new washer, but when we tried to turn the stopcock off, which is under the floorboards at the front door, nothing happens. We went on a water meter about three years ago, could the water board have altered things then? If so, what do we do next please. Also if it is the washer at fault do we use rubber or fibre washers? TIA rosy

[dannyk13]

If your water meter has been fitted indoors.There will be screw on the pipe leading into it.If this is so turn the screw to shut off water.

[twix123]

Do you have a cold water tank, and if so, does it have a stopcock on thew cold water outlet?

[rosyposy]

I have never seen the water meter so it must be outside somewhere danny, no twix we don't have a water tank, as we have a combi boiler. If we can find the meter outside are we allowed to touch it?

[woofgang]

Does the stop cock actually turn or not?

[rosyposy]

Yes it turns quite easily both directions

[dannyk13]

If all else fails I would ring your water board and see if they can advise you.

[rosyposy]

I thought I'd have to do that, but hoped I would hear otherwise on here :0(

[tamborine]

turn SC anti clockwise, if stiff spray WD40 & hammer handle. You might need to empty water tank, by releasing water from other cold taps before working on washer.

Hardware stores sell spray to freeze pipe serving dodgy tap; buy washer as well.

[woofgang]

That sounds like your stopcock is broken. Yes you are allowed to turn the water off at the meter, at least were are where I live, better check with the water provider. You will need to get your in house stopcock sorted out too. Not possible to comment on your washer needs as different taps have different innards, you replace with whatever is in there, although in my experience a failed washer usually make a tap drip, not stop all together.

[boxtops]

You might find a little access point outside in the road which you can lift up and see your meter - there should be a tap there too. Our tap is on the water board side of the meter.

[rosyposy]

Oh dear, sounds like I will have to find a plumber, doesn't it? There is an 18" square cut out thing in the middle of the drive, maybe that is it, will see if we can easily lift it, but can't recall the water board being anywhere near it at the time. I will ring them tomorrow, thank you all for your help -rosy

[boxtops]

If in doubt - get in the professionals :-)

[tamborine]

buy this

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Arctic-Spray-Trade-Pipe-Freezer-Kit/p/227235?CAWELAID=120135120000006173&CAGPSPN=pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+-+Heating+%26+Plumbing&tmcampid=104&tmad=c&tmplaceref=&tmcustom=mkwid%7ClzQbnSzV_dm%7Cpcrid%7C43364569612%7C&;gclid=CLvlvdmqz8ACFfMgtAod32gAgg

[rosyposy]

Thank you for that link tamborine, but I don't think I would have the nerve to use anything like that, be scared it didn't work and I flooded the house out....:0) Actually I have just been outside and have found a small circular cover with 'water' stamped on it -duh! I will look for a plumber tomorrow-as you say boxtops 'if in doubt'..... thanks again -rosy X

[woofgang]

rosy, after many years of doing bits around the house, I have learned two golden rules which is don't do jobs like this on a sunday, or a bank holiday or in the evening. If it all goes pear shaped and you even can get anyone else out to help, you will pay through the nose. With stuff like water where the worst outcome can be disaster, unless you are confident, then get a professional in. Every time we ignored these rules, we ALWAYS wished that we hadn't.

[Svejk]

do your other taps 'work'?

[jomifl]

If the water meter was fitted recently it should have a stopcok which works. Investigate the plate marked 'water' it might solve your problem. Quite often there are isolating stopcocks fitted in the pipes feeding different parts of a house. See if you can find one of these... probably in a cupboard.

[Valmave]

Woofgang - such wise words !

[rosyposy]

Wise words indeed woofgang. Svejk, the other taps are fine but I think I will 'bite the bullet' and get someone in, (not tonight tho' woofgang) Most things in this house take weeks to repair so probably be cheaper in the long run,i.e. petrol buying stuff, petrol taking it back because I got it wrong etc etc etc..I will post when it is done, thanks again (I love AB)

[bhg481]

There is a real possibility that the cold water in the bathroom is fed from your header tank in the loft, rather than directly from the mains. If that's the case turning off the stopcock will have no effect on that tap. If it is the case there will be a separate valve, probably in the airing cupboard, for stopping the bathroom taps (and, possibly, the toilet). The valve will have a sort of round handle - if there are two of them one will be for the central heating (the larger one).