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do stop c o c ks have washers?

My son needed to change a washer in the cold tap fed from the mains so turned off the stop c o c k but the water was still trickling through no matter how much he tried to turn it off.

He did manage to change the tap washer without getting too soaked but he was wondering if there was a washer in the stop c o c k or does he need to get the stop c o c k replaced.

He can turn off the water is the street if needed.

Comments

  • 27col
    27col Posts: 6,554 Forumite
    I have known the washer in a stop valve to break up completely on occasion, so the answer is, yes it can occur.
    I can afford anything that I want.
    Just so long as I don't want much.
  • Horseunderwater
    Horseunderwater Posts: 3,406 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My son needed to change a washer in the cold tap fed from the mains so turned off the stop c o c k but the water was still trickling through no matter how much he tried to turn it off.

    He did manage to change the tap washer without getting too soaked but he was wondering if there was a washer in the stop c o c k or does he need to get the stop c o c k replaced.

    He can turn off the water is the street if needed.

    If he is in a hard water area, then there may be some lime scale build up over the years. If that is the case I would suggest replacing whole Stop c*ck with a new one. If not then new washer would be fine. Turn off water in street, but if on shared mains, let anyone sharing know incase they have a washer going etc.
  • No hard water in Scotland

    Can this type of isolation valve be used as a stop c o c k?

    http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/15mm-isolating-valve-with-333-218
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    stopcock is all one word and acceptable on this site
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • muckybutt
    muckybutt Posts: 3,761 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    No hard water in Scotland

    Can this type of isolation valve be used as a stop c o c k?

    http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/15mm-isolating-valve-with-333-218

    No ! these are meant for isolation of taps etc stopcock is what you need, I heartily recommend turning stopcock at least once every couple of months to ensure it does not seize.
    You may click thanks if you found my advice useful
  • Jaynne
    Jaynne Posts: 552 Forumite
    No hard water in Scotland

    Can this type of isolation valve be used as a stop c o c k?

    http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/15mm-isolating-valve-with-333-218

    They're less than a fiver in B&Q so if its your only purchase you're not saving much by going online. So long as you can easily turn your street water supply off then its a 10 minute job to change the thing with a spanner although often the hardest thing about it is accessing them.
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