Turning water off at the Stopcock

ScorpioLady_2

Can someone help me please.
My outside tap was on an outside wall, but now due to a mini extension it is now inside. I need to move it therefore on to the new outside wall.
When I turned the water off at the stopcock it never actually stopped running (albeit only slightly) even though the water in the house had stopped running totally. I did manage to replumb all the pipes to the outside wall but should I have put a valve somewhere?
There is still a slight leak on one of the joints so I will have to turn the water off again and fix it but wondered why it didn't actually run dry?
Many thanks in anticipation of any replies.

Dennis99

You sure it's not just the water left in the pipes?
I would put an isolation valve indoors in the pipe run to the outside tap.

Picture of 15mm compression fitting isolation valve.

Avoriaz

ScorpioLady wrote: »

..When I turned the water off at the stopcock it never actually stopped running (albeit only slightly) even though the water in the house had stopped running totally. …but wondered why it didn't actually run dry?...

When you turn off the stopcock, water still remains in the rising main. Gravity will make this water flow back down the rising main if it can.

As the outside tap is also connected to the rising main, and is probably the lowest tap in the circuit, the water will flow there and it will be the last one to dry up.

The residual water dripping out was probably the last of the water in the rising main and other connected pipes. It drips rather than flows because it is under very low pressure.

Another possibility is that the stopcock is not shutting the water off completely.

Is the leaking joint a compression or soldered fitting? If compression, you can tighten it up without draining down again.

As Dennis writes above, a service or isolating valve is a good idea. In winter, turn off the service valve and open the outside tap to drain off the water and prevent pipe bursts.

weekendwarrior

It sounds like the stop tap is passing.

You can fix this if you can isolate the water in the street.

repair a stop tap

You can fit another stop tap or a full bore shut off valve in the pipe, but not an isolation valve as it will restrict the flow of water. It has to be full bore if fitted to the rising main!

ScorpioLady_2

Thank you so much to the above contributers, I've learnt a lot.
Your help is much appreciated.

ormus

yes if you can isolate the water main from outside then simply replace the rubber washer/seal inside the main stoptap. a 20p job!

a service valve on the outside tap line is a good idea. if possible try and install it on a down pipe, before it enters the wall. that way, when you drain it for winter, all the water to the ouside tap will be drained off.

Psykicpup

If its the OSSC (OutSide StopCock) thats letting by, call your water authority/board - they should come fix it for you as its thier property