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Original poster

Please make sure all adults in your house know where the stopcock is.

65 replies

EastWestWhosBest · 19/08/2021 22:16

On Saturday evening I was in the kitchen when I heard water running upstairs.
I went into the hall to see water pouring down the walls coming from the bathroom above. The hot water pipe in the bathroom had burst.
We knew where the stopcock was but DH couldn’t turn it so there was much scrabbling to get a spanner to help turn it.
Thankfully we were able to turn the stop the water within a few minutes but there was still about half an inch of water on the floor.

It occurred to me that if we hadn’t have known where it was, or if I had been on my own and possibly unable to turn it, then it would have been a disaster.

So, this weekend then please check that everyone knows where the stopcock is and can turn it.

OP posts:

Redruby2020 · 19/08/2021 22:23

Omg this is so true! And still trying to find out from the agent who deals with the place I rent, where the bloody thing is, I know they are usually under the sink or outside, but we must find out, he is supposed to be coming here next week, so I will bring it up again 🤦‍♀️

WillaWeatherspoon · 19/08/2021 22:25

I didn't know until earlier this week that DH not only had no idea where the stopcock is in our house, but didn't even know what one was!
I've educated him now

Original poster

EastWestWhosBest · 19/08/2021 22:26

@Redruby2020

Ours is just inside the front door! Annoying right under where all the water was pouring down.

OP posts:

HPmagic · 19/08/2021 22:27

100% we learned this the hard way. Bathroom pipe burst upstairs and started to heavily flood the downstairs loo and kitchen. Husband is trying to stop the water with towels and manually holding the pipe. I'm on the floor in the kitchen trying to find what looks like a stopcock and screaming down the phone to an emergency plumber. Took 15 minutes to locate it hidden slightly under bottom cupboard and took what felt like ages turning it for it to stop, we were absolutely drenched and the kitchen floor flooded. Never again will I not know immediately how to do this. All the while our 5 year old is watching us with amusement.

I'm not good in an emergency

OublietteBravo · 19/08/2021 22:27

I thought I did know. But it turned out we had two stopcocks (with the second one hidden behind a fitted cupboard in the utility room). Fortunately we could turn everything off via the water meter.

MilduraS · 19/08/2021 22:29

Ours is behind the washing machine 🤦🏻‍♀️ We had to use it this weekend after a part under the boiler sprung a leak. Must have been going on for ages because it was a fine mist and I only noticed because I walked barefoot into the kitchen.

RosieLeaLovesTea · 19/08/2021 22:30

This happened to me approx 3 weeks ago but it was my kitchen hot tap. Water was pouring out under the sink! Luckily I was right by the sink and heard the pop. I knew where the stop cock was but it was very stiff. I had to turn the water off from the meter in the road!

54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:30

we also have two, so that is worth checking. Try turning off your stop cock then going around the house to check no taps turn on. If any still turn on, then you have two.

This is particularly likely in blocks, where traditionally the hot and cold water may have different sources.

54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:31

The second one is NOWHERE near the first one, either! its on a different floor.

Original poster

EastWestWhosBest · 19/08/2021 22:33

I didn’t know you can do it at the water metre.

OP posts:

FreeBritnee · 19/08/2021 22:39

I think ours is outside under a cover in the pavement! I need to check with DP.

SpacePotato · 19/08/2021 22:41

We found out during a leak that we don't bloody have one in the house!
We can switch the kitchen taps off with a flat head screwdriver but to switch the actual water supply off requires going outside, lifting up a plastic lid and turning a valve.

Debetswell · 19/08/2021 22:46

The slab on my water meter is so heavy I can't move it.
I do know where the stopcocks are though.

LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone · 19/08/2021 22:54

Oh yes, been there!!
Unfortunately although we did know where the stopcock was (under the bath downstairs!) it meant lying full stretch to try and reach it. And it was seized up, and was on an ancient lead pipe that bent when we tried to turn it. We got it three quarters of the way off and then had to fix it with water still spraying out!!
Rang the water board next day to ask where the outdoor stopcock was and they didn't know. Hence the arrival of a team of men with metal detectors, but it was only the man with dowsing rods who eventually found the pipe. Who then told us there was no stopcock to our house and they'd have to put one in. Which involved digging up the road and temporary traffic lights.
So yes, I agree. Find out these things before an emergency!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 19/08/2021 22:57

I know where ours is but I can’t reach it 🤷‍♀️

Bagelsandbrie · 19/08/2021 23:00

I would also add to tell your children and teenagers - obviously of a sensible age re children! My 9 year old understands where and what it is.

I was home alone aged 13 when I heard a hissing sound and then the whole ceiling collapsed downstairs. The radiator upstairs had sprung a leak and water was gushing out. My mum was out with her friend and this was in the days before mobiles so I had no choice but to basically wait an hour until she came home with water gushing down the gap in the ceiling and me terrified the house was going to collapse! I didn’t have the sense to try and ring anyone else and figured mum would be home before they were. Didn’t even know what a stop tap was!

VienneseWhirligig · 19/08/2021 23:04

I don't know where mine is. DH knew but since he died, the location is a mystery. Same with the electricity mains - don't know where to switch off the electricity. I wish I had shown any interest in it at all - it never occurred to me. DS thinks he knows, so hopefully if I have any emergencies he can help out. I might get him to share the info with me though in case he's not around...

ErrolTheDragon · 19/08/2021 23:06

We usually turn our stopcock off when we go on holidays at times of year which don't need the heating on. So we know where it is and I suppose that may help keep it from seizing up.
There's another one outside somewhere, DH knows where it is and has a special long tool for it (unused).

skodadoda · 19/08/2021 23:14

Get one of these
surestop.co.uk/

scoobydoo1971 · 19/08/2021 23:24

Some older stop taps are very hard to turn off. With age they require considerable effort and if the washer is degraded then it can be impossible to completely turn the supply off. Therefore, useful to know where the external supply comes into the house. Most water meters have a tap fitted to them so water can be stopped. Worth finding out where and always having a torch handy in case of an emergency at night. Living in old houses taught me these life lessons the hard way.

Rainallnight · 19/08/2021 23:30

Thanks for the reminder. My late dad told me this and I STILL haven’t found it. I’m on hols at the moment but I’ll look as soon as I’m back

freesolo · 22/08/2021 08:01

@EastWestWhosBest This is so spooky!! After reading your thread yesterday morning my DP and I searched everywhere for our stopcock as it hadn't occurred to me since we moved in last year , eventually found it after about 15 minutes in the cellar. Later on in the afternoon we had to remove our washing machine as it's broken and we're getting a new one delivered on Tuesday. DP thought he'd done what was needed but when he took the second hose out of the machine water was gushing everywhere! I screamed "stopcock!" At him and out he flew and got it turned off before a massive flood - God knows the panic and carnage if we hadn't worked out where it was this morning due to this thread! So thank you 🤣

Dozer · 22/08/2021 08:03

Don’t know what one is! Great noun, though!

HurryUpAndStandThere · 22/08/2021 08:15

A house I lived in, the stopcock was above the door in the under stairs cupboard. Even the plumber scratched his head at that one.
Fortunately in my house now, it's besides the front door.
If you're not sure where it is in your house, you can trace it by following the pipes.

Original poster

EastWestWhosBest · 22/08/2021 08:18

I’m so glad this thread has helped someone, @freesolo!

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