HELP¬ Can't turn tap off!

[MerlinsBeard]

Hot water tap is running and we can't turn it off! We can't get to the stopcock as we think its in the shop we live above and the door is locked (we have no key for that door) DP gone out for a washer as he thinks thats what has broken, but how do i turn the water off? Landlords phone off and have turned water temp down so no one gets burnt(burned?)

Do you know where the outside stopcock is? Ours is in thefrnt garden.

we don't have an outside one. DP back now with his dad in tow, think they are dismantling the boiler its coooold

I take it there is no isolator on the tap (run down pipework, you're looking for a straight slot for a screwdriver) ? Follow pipework back, there might be another isolator further back IYSWIM. Or maybe a gate valve (red handle like a steering wheel) ?

Combi boiler or one with a hot water cylinder ? If cylinder, you will need to isolate supply to header tank.

Boiler might have isolators on inputs too.

They can run for a pipe freeze kit from B&Q etc. Wrap the pipe, press the can for 5 minutes, it forms and ice plug, then you hacksw pipe and install isolator.

hth

Unless you have lead piping, which is what we found in our old flat when the bathroom decided to go mad, and we couldn't use the freeze stuff, and neither would the emergency plumber we subsequently called!

its a combi boiler. no knobs/handles/switches on any of the visable pipework. i just went to check how they were doing and got snapped at. Think i am on safe hands asd FIL has turned his hand at all sorts of trades inc (i think) plumbing. I hope so as there is no way we can afford a plumber!

Oh, then you're f*cked.

Can you track back where lead connects to copper or plastic and redo that joint ?

Whoever put in the boiler MUST have had an isolator on the cold water input, or by the sink etc. etc. - couldn't have installed otherwise ! I suppose it's all in the shop below, isn't it ?

sorry i didn't come back to the thread, internet crashed and i couldn't get it back again.

We found the isolator, it was minute!!

It wasn't the washer either, the valve in the tap has worn so we need new taps. Hardly surprising really as the taps have been there as long as the kitchen has!

Thank you for all replies

You mean about the size of a slotted screwdriver blade, LOL ?

Anyway I am glad it's sorted.

lol yes! but it was hidden, we were looking for something obvious! At least we know how to do it now

LOL. I should have linked to an image or something !

Anyway, have fun choosing some new taps ! (And you might want to replace that lead at some point. Not supposed to be fantastic for one's health - and it's hard to work on when it bursts etc.)

BTW - If there isn't a stopcock on your incoming cold mains into the house / sink / boiler etc. you might want to co-ordinate with the shop a suitable time and then close the supply and stick in a gate valve etc.... Can be useful at time !

maybe i should ask the landlord for a new kitchen while i am at it? what do you think my chances are

i ruddy need one thougH! my cupbpoards don't match, i have drawers i can't use and now my taps are fooked!

Maybe you could push for new matching cupboard doors ? That might spruce it up a bit !

Re: the stopcock - they can either install it or one day risk a flood with all the damage that entails !