Isolating Garden Tap - Winter Prep

BoracicLint

Hi all,

I read recently that in the extreme cold it is a good idea to turn off the supply to the garden tap to prevent it freezing. I looked under the sink and found the stopcock, but unfortunately it has seized. I have managed to move it by a 1/4 in. but I'm nervous about breaking it.

I thought it might be wise to turn off the water at the mains and then try and man-handle it loose...worst case being I have to replace the stopcock, but avoid flooding the kitchen!

The mains stopcock seems to be about 1m below ground, can anyone tell me where I can get the tool from to turn it? Can I get one from B&Q, or will I need to go to a specialist plumbing supplier?

Secondly, I'm a bit worried about the pipes freezing in the extreme cold and flooding the house while I'm out all day...Are there any steps I can take to protect myself? I've read the boiler manual and it has a frost-feature which apparently warms up the heating if the temp drops below 5deg, and the heating comes on for a few hours in the morning and again in the evening at full temperature.

I'm only ever out of the house for 2 days, do I need to take any further precautions? Sorry for all the rudimentary questions, but this being my first house, it is quite alien to me... and I have nightmares about coming home to a flooded house!

Thanks

Leif

The tool is a long T shaped job, and hardware stores sometimes sell them, B&Q may well but they'll charge more. Wickes might be cheaper. But you might already have one. Search your garage, has it been stuffed away in a corner?

hardpressed

I got a tap cover from fleabay for my outside tap. It's an oval polystryene box with a loop that goes over the tap and then pull tight, so far it's worked.

geoffky

Wrap it in old towelling...Works for me..

maninthestreet

I use multiple layers of bubble wrap on my outside tap.

Innys

maninthestreet wrote: »

I use multiple layers of bubble wrap on my outside tap.

Me too - tied to it with rope. Far cheaper than anything for it purpose made out of polystyrene or even old towelling.

Yolina

maninthestreet wrote: »

I use multiple layers of bubble wrap on my outside tap.

Same here - it was good enough back home in the Alps, so no reason for it not to work in the UK :rotfl: