Stopcock not working

goodValue

I've just moved into a flat and found that the stopcock does not stop the water flow.

The flat is about 30 years old, and there's no sign of a water tank.

The stopcock only does a quarter of a turn, and there's a definite stop at both ends of the movement.

After searching on "stopcock images", I didn't see any that looked similar.

Is it likely that the stopcock has failed completely, or could I have just not used it correctly?

FreeBear

It could be that it has a steel rod internally that has snapped. Do you have a water meter and/or stopcock out near the road ?

If so, isolate the supply outside, and change the stopcock inside. If this is the only stopcock to isolate the supply, then your local water authority should change it free of charge.

grumbler

goodValue said:

The stopcock only does a quarter of a turn, and there's a definite stop at both ends of the movement.

This indicates a ball valve, although they are rarely used as stopcocks.

After searching on "stopcock images", I didn't see any that looked similar.

??

Jeepers_Creepers

A photo of it would help, GV.

You need to find out if and where there's an external stopcock too, should you have a burst that needs shutting off quickly. Possibly it'll be one shared with the other flats, or hopefully it'll be individual.

Do you have a water meter? If so, it'll likely be the latter.

This is information you need to glean regardless - it'll be too late when something happens that needs it...

GDB2222

If you are 100% sure that is the main water valve, and it has failed, the simplest solution is just to replace it or fit another one next to it. This one can be fitted without turning the water off.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/aladdin-easy-fit-isolator-starter-pack/36008

goodValue

I've now found where the meters are, but can't see any stopcocks.

I originally looked at the place indicated on the Property Information Form. I've now looked under the sink, and see something that looks like what I expected for a stopcock. However, this is frozen in place, and I'm reluctant to force it having seen advice not to be heavy handed with them.

After a second look at this stopcock, I don't think it is there to stop the mains flow - I can only see it giving water to the kitchen sink and washing m/c.

Would the water supplier be able to give advice?

Grizzlebeard

GDB2222's link appears to show the (£44.99) 15mm pipe version although Screwfix information is completely absent and Q&As give some completely wrong information. On the same page however is a link to what appears to be the (£139,99) 22mm/quarterinch version. You need the right size for pipe and you need a pipe-widths clearance between pipe and wall.

Not knocking the product, just Screwfix's abysmal info. I had to fill the gaps and find full techspec with lots of googling.

FreeBear

goodValue said: I've now found where the meters are, but can't see any stopcocks.

Sometimes, the stopcock isn't particularly conspicuous.. See image below. That little "blob" just above the meter is the bit that needs turning. On my meter, it is hexagonal shaped and needs a key. Often the key has disappeared, so you have to get creative... I managed to blag a couple of spares from the waterboard engineers last time they were in my area.

Jeepers_Creepers

GV, we need a bludy photo of the sticky valve!

At the moment we don't know if it's a quarter-turn lever valve that's faulty (I doubt it) or a normal multi-turn stopcock which is seized but also has a loose spindle that can move through a quarter-turn before binding against the stuck valve.

GV, since there isn't a water emergency you need to sort out, but are just wondering if your stopcock can be made to move, then just move the darned thing. If it's truly stuck, then you need a plumber out to replace it - a peasy job for them, especially since you have a water meter which will have a valve there too.

goodValue

Jeepers_Creepers said:

GV, we need a bludy photo of the sticky valve!

At the moment we don't know if it's a quarter-turn lever valve that's faulty (I doubt it) or a normal multi-turn stopcock which is seized but also has a loose spindle that can move through a quarter-turn before binding against the stuck valve.

GV, since there isn't a water emergency you need to sort out, but are just wondering if your stopcock can be made to move, then just move the darned thing. If it's truly stuck, then you need a plumber out to replace it - a peasy job for them, especially since you have a water meter which will have a valve there too.

I've been struggling today with lack of hot water.

I left the original stopcock in the off position, thinking that a days use of kitchen/bathroom would use up any reservoir of water.

But the result was no hot water.

It wasn't helped that the boiler manuals I downloaded (Vaillant eco TEC pro 28) had different display units to what I can see.

What I think happened is that turning off this valve shut off supply to the boiler but still supplied the kitchen and bathroom.

I've now got the hot water back, and have a few photos of stopcocks/meters: after I've had a combined lunch/dinner, I'll sort these out and post them.

goodValue

Below is the valve found at the location given in the Property Information Form:

When taking the photo, I noticed that it might be 3-way. Could the l.h.section go to the kitchen/bathroom, with the r.h. section going to the boiler, and the valve succesfully stops the flow to the boiler, but not to the kitchen/bathroom?

Next is the main group of meters:

I've just noticed the hexagonal pieces mentioned by FreeBear - I didn't see these when taking the photo.

Do the keys for these have a technical name?

There are also 3 separate single meters.

But there was no indication of which meter was for which flat.

Finally, this is a shot of under the sink:

This stopcock seems to be just supplying the sink and the washing m/c. and so cannot be the mains stopcock.

Is that white stuff gluing it in the open postion?