Where is my internal water stop !!!!!!?

jayjay_88

Recently moved into a mid-terrace 1900ish house in Brighton. There’s a leaking valve under the sink and I’m not able to find the stopcock to crack on with fixing it. Nothing under the stairs, and from what I can see, nothing under the kitchen units or behind them.
Our kitchen and bathroom are at the back of the house, and I can’t seem to find any water pipes coming through to them. The pipes just seem to appear right at the back of the kitchen from a notch in the wall, if that makes sense. I’m not sure if that’s relevant to finding the internal stopcock?
thanks in advance!

[Deleted User]

Could it be under a cover in the road outside of your front door ?

I used to live in a 1890's house - and thats where it was

Alternatively - ask your water supplying company

or ask neighboutrs where theirs are

Section62

jayjay_88 said:

Recently moved into a mid-terrace 1900ish house in Brighton. There’s a leaking valve under the sink and I’m not able to find the stopcock to crack on with fixing it. Nothing under the stairs, and from what I can see, nothing under the kitchen units or behind them.
Our kitchen and bathroom are at the back of the house, and I can’t seem to find any water pipes coming through to them. The pipes just seem to appear right at the back of the kitchen from a notch in the wall, if that makes sense. I’m not sure if that’s relevant to finding the internal stopcock?
thanks in advance!

Even if you find it, there's no certainty it will still work.

If you have your own individual supply pipe (not shared with a neighbour) it might be easier to turn the supply off at the external stop tap - especially if you have a water meter with a modern plastic integrated valve.

Just be careful when lifting and replacing the cover that you don't create a hazard for pedestrians, and if the valve/meter is in the carriageway of the road (and not in the footway) then go back to your plan 'A' of finding the internal one.

If it was my house, after turning off the supply outside I'd fit one/two of these to isolate the whole kitchen/bathroom at one point - depending on how the pipework is arranged in the house. If the pipework allows it, two would be better so you can isolate on an either/or basis rather than having the whole house without water. (assuming the bathroom is supplied from the mains, not a tank in the loft)  Also take into account how the boiler is supplied, and how that is isolated as well.
https://www.toolstation.com/made4trade-lever-ball-valve/p57154

jayjay_88

Thank you both, that’s very helpful. I’ve found the one outside which is on the footpath. Thankfully it looks fairly newish. I wasn’t sure if there would definitely be an internal one as well. I suppose that is something I should consider, and will look at getting a plumber for this in the near future.
Unfortunately the last owners didn’t know where it was, and the neighbours are students so unlikely to know.
Thanks again for your help ☺️

Eldi_Dos

In older properties can sometimes be found where meters are or once where.

Eldi_Dos

If students are renting some landlords leave a factsheet with that type of information.

Another_Level

Been in a few terrace properties and the internal water stopcock is under the hallway floor boards just by the front door. Could be any where thou. May be covered up.

When purchasing houses, The position of the stopcock is a question on the property information form TA6 although not all questions are answered very well 

Happy plumbing 

FreeBear

jayjay_88 said: I’ve found the one outside which is on the footpath. Thankfully it looks fairly newish. I wasn’t sure if there would definitely be an internal one as well.

It was only relatively recently that it became a requirement to have an internal stopcock. A lot of older properties do not have one, and despite what the water company tells you, there is no legal requirement to fit one if you don't have one. Although... If you are replacing the incoming water pipe (which will probably be lead), you will need to fit a stopcock internally to be compliant with the regs.

jayjay_88

Another_Level said:

Been in a few terrace properties and the internal water stopcock is under the hallway floor boards just by the front door. Could be any where thou. May be covered up.

When purchasing houses, The position of the stopcock is a question on the property information form TA6 although not all questions are answered very well 

Happy plumbing 

Thanks! The TA6 was my initial go-to, but unfortunately it was left blank…

jayjay_88

FreeBear said:

jayjay_88 said: I’ve found the one outside which is on the footpath. Thankfully it looks fairly newish. I wasn’t sure if there would definitely be an internal one as well.

It was only relatively recently that it became a requirement to have an internal stopcock. A lot of older properties do not have one, and despite what the water company tells you, there is no legal requirement to fit one if you don't have one. Although... If you are replacing the incoming water pipe (which will probably be lead), you will need to fit a stopcock internally to be compliant with the regs.

I suspected that may be the case. I’ll definitely look into getting that sorted. Thanks for your help!

elsien

1900s terrace. Mine is in the kitchen behind the under counter fridge. 

Have you pulled any appliances out to see what’s behind them?