idea of cost of plumbing job?

emg

I tried to turn my water off to change a washer and I have managed to snap off the top of the stopcock tap! how much is it likely to cost me to get that replaced? any ideas?

Alan_M_2

Most importantly are you able to shut of the water outside the property at the water board point? If you are, then it's a quick replacement, if you have no stop !!!! outside, or can't find it, it makes things a little more involved.

kat21

go and look on your pavement for a little lift up lid (cast iron) at the bottom will be a stop valve, some plumbers use a special shut off key which is abit like a tee with two prongs at the bottom. if your carefull you could construct something simlar in wood or ask at your plumbers merchants. You might get lucky and be able to turn off the stop valve yourself by reaching down the hole and turning it off. Once the mains is isolated go back inside and try running the water off so there is nothing left in the system. Repacing the stop valve is not complicated you just need to wrenches or adjustable spanners. items you need before the job, ptfe tape, new 15mm stop valve carefully unscrew the top nut then repeat the process with the bottom nut make sure you have a towel handy to catch any water left in the pipes (remember you have turned the water off at the stop valve in the street first) and you have also made sure that no water is left in the system by turning on the cold water taps on your bath and sink. once the valve is removed wrap some ptfe tape around the top and bottom threads and ease the new valve back into place check the arrow on the side of the valve for the direction flow it should point upwards screw the two nuts securely by hand first then nip up with either an adjustable spanner or wrench. all in all the replacement valve should only cost you five pounds.
no doubt this post will make me popular amougst those in the plumbing arena! not a hard job good luck
look here too, http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/stopcockkey.htm
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp;jsessionid=TIJDSLDITFRXWCSTHZPCFFQ?cId=100121&ts=42287&id=15940
kat21

BobProperty

Kat21's description is fine (apart maybe from the need for the PTFE) but only for when everything goes right and you can get to it all ! So a few warnings:
If you live in an old terrace or ex-council house, (and other circumstances) you may share your water supply, so turning off the stop tap outside might cut off your neighbours.
UltimateHandyman has a warning about sticking your hand down stoptaps in the street, it has been known for people to dispose of their needles down them :eek: Depends where you live, it usually isn't a problem but I thought I'd better warn the readers.
Stoptap boxes are often full of water, soil etc and need clearing out before you can see or do anything with them. I have sucked them out with a wet&dry vacuum before now so that I can see what I was doing.

Now, as for doing a straight swap for a new tap, that's fine if it's on copper pipe and you can get to it. It may be on lead or immediately adjacent to plastic mains pipe, so please more information before you embark on this job.
Also, stoptaps always seem to be either plastered into the wall of the dining room or buried behind boxing, behind the kitchen units, or in some other similarly incredibly difficult location to get at. Hopefully, your tap is easily accessible and you can get to the fitting nuts on both ends. Let us know the situation please, and if you need any more help, we'll do our best.

emg

I live in a purpose built flat so I guess it's highly possible I share my water supply. The tap is easy to get to though as it is in a big airing cupboard, it's copper piping). To be honest I dont feel particularly confident about doing it myself (I thought I was doing well just attempting to change a washer!) Is a plumber likely to charge megabucks?

kat21

Hi, if its purpose built then chances are you will have your own connection perhaps on the driveway look for two shut off valve flaps. with regards to getting a plumber in it depends really upon the area you live in perhaps a look in your local free papers you may see a plumber who will give you a free estimate, (but check) once you have a couple of estimates go from there.
kat21