Which is my stoptap?

RoughNeck

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace our bathroom tap cylinder, or the tap itself as it's started to drip slightly. I want to do things properly, and I want to turn the water supply off first. This is our first home, and looking at the paperwork, our stopcock is located by the front door - one of the usual places right?

However, when I remove our little cupboard door, I have two tap-like mechanisms. Neither of which have a T bar. I'm unsure as to which does what, can anyone help? I just realised as a new user they won't let me post images. I'll have to try and explain.

The first mechanism is about quarter way up the pipe. It has a small nozzle/tap coming from it and a square-like thing that looks like I need a key for it, like a radiator key shape. The second one, which sits further down the pipe is like a gold metal thin cylinder which looks as though it could be missing its T bar (although I'm not sure). Does anyone know which one might be the stoptap? I had two images which would have made it much easier, but alas, as a new user I can't upload - sorry about that.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Jon

shaun_from_Africa

Put the photographs on a forum hosting website then post the links here, making sure that you break them a bit, something like this:

htt ps://i.ibb.co/VS3839c/Untitled-1-copy.jpg

(notice the gap in the "https").
That way it won't be registered as a link and once you've posted it, someone will then add the pictures for you.

ceredigion

It is normally in the ground / path under a flap lid. With a second one under the kitchen sink.
Hot or cold tap ? you may not turn the hot off by shutting the stopcock off.
Should be service valves on the tap its self.

MX5huggy

The lower one is the stopcock the upper a drain off point.

RoughNeck

Thanks both.

See if you can access them here:

htt ps://ibb.co/HTSMTYW

htt ps://ibb.co/9t09csw

(great tip!)

Thank you

RoughNeck

Oh, and yes, there is an outside stop tap, but I just want to do the inside to ensure I'm not affecting anyone else.

wideboy09

There will be a main stopcock outside on your path under a flap. There will be a brass one inside somewhere typically under the kitchen sink. This one is preferable to use.

As for the nozzle with the square on the end - that’s a drain off valve, you slip a hose over the nozzle and turn the square anti clockwise with a spanner to drain the pipe of water. I can’t picture what is underneath it.

Check the two pipes behind the basin that feed you taps. If there is a silver valve with a little slot then it’s a service valve. When the slot runs in line with the pipe it’s only and when it runs across it the valve is shut. You turn this with a flathead screwdriver. No need to touch the main stopcock if it has these.

MX5huggy

MX5huggy wrote: »

The lower one is the stopcock the upper a drain off point.

I was right.

I would check the street one works and see it it does effect anyone else because I’m not confident your will work and will need replacement.

Robin9

There may be a in-line valve below the tap itself - you will need a flat bladed screwdriver.

RoughNeck

Thanks for all the replies, I am very grateful. Under the sink doesn't look awfully pretty, but is the blue switch anything?

htt ps://ibb.co/gMdbZ6P

ceredigion

RoughNeck wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, I am very grateful. Under the sink doesn't look awfully pretty, but is the blue switch anything?

htt ps://ibb.co/gMdbZ6P

"blue switch" Dish washer.

Ikea kitchen !