Atplas key needed

tomplumb

Hi all, hoping somebody will have some advice for me.

I'm with Thames Water and my mains stopcock is outside my flat on the pavement outside, clearly labelled with my address. Trouble is I'm not able to turn it on/off as the key is missing.

I bought a universal stopcock from the plumbing merchants but this doesn't fit.

According to Thames Water it's an Atplas unit and will have originally had a removable metal/plastic key but they do get taken. They won't provide or sell a new one. I've tried a few merchants and nobody has either heard of the units or has any keys.

How can I get hold of one?
Or is there another type of key that I could use instead (it needs a large hex key, like a large allan key).

Thanks!
Tom

smj43

I can't seem to find anywhere that sells them. In the spirit of money saving though, why not ask a neighbour?

tomplumb

That's an option, but they tend to be attached to the meter somehow and don't want a neighbour to have to break theirs off so I can borrow it.
I'd really like to get hold of one for myself,or at least something else that would do the job?

k3lvc

Pic 3 in the attached ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ATPLAS-WATER-METER-BOUNARY-BOX-CHAMBER-/170826562505?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item27c60e7bc9

smj43

Maybe contact Atlantic Plastics who manufacture the box and ask them?

tomplumb

I just called Atlantic Plastic - they won't sell non-wholesale and recommended I try Travis Perkins or WT Burdens. Neither have them in stock or even on file!

key in pic 3 is exactly what I'm after I think, but it seems a bit much to have to buy an entire box though just to get the key. Does anyone know if anything else will fit in its place? Failing that I might have to buy the whole box!

Thanks for the replies so far, I've got much further in the last 3hrs on this forum than in the 3 weeks leading up to now!

Tom

mart.vader

It's just a simple hex headed bit of plastic - you could use your neighbours one, they just pop off, or you can use a large flat-head screwdriver. Or you could collar one of the Thames Water technicians and ask if they have a spare one, kicking around in their vans.

tomplumb

Thanks Mart - I'll try the screwdriver idea tonight!