Can someone explain why I have 2 stoptaps joined together?

dodge1980

 can anyone in the know explain the 2 stop taps that seems to be attached together at the pipe. I'm really confused . 

grumpy_codger

Two connected in sequence? 

A wild guess - the bottom one is soldered to a lead pipe, didn't work properly and was difficult to replace. So, the top one was added

WIAWSNB

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

MyRealNameToo

grumpy_codger said:

Two connected in sequence? 

A wild guess - the bottom one is soldered to a lead pipe, didn't work properly and was difficult to replace. So, the top one was added

You think the second one is going to be long enough to actually shut off the pipe? It's going to have to act through the first one to impact the pipe. 

To the OP... what actually happens if you use either of them?  To me it looks like the first one was originally for a spur off the pipe, that its been taken away at some time and someone has just used part of a stockcock that was laying around to terminate the pipe in which case neither would actually be functional in turning water on/off though turning it may test the old joints and the termination of the former pipe.

Mr.Generous

Another vote for bottom one wont (fully) shut off the water, and a pain to remove so new one added. May possibly have done same thing myself 

MeteredOut

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

grumpy_codger

MeteredOut said:

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

Post this one:

WIAWSNB

grumpy_codger said:

MeteredOut said:

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

Post this one:

Ah, it's one of these dual SCs that reverses the flow direction, depending on which one is opened. Nice.

MeteredOut

grumpy_codger said:

MeteredOut said:

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

Post this one:

Obviously from a mixed UK/Aussie household.

Eldi_Dos

MeteredOut said:

grumpy_codger said:

MeteredOut said:

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

Post this one:

Obviously from a mixed UK/Aussie household.

Clockwise open or shut ?

MeteredOut

Eldi_Dos said:

MeteredOut said:

grumpy_codger said:

MeteredOut said:

WIAWSNB said:

Needs a clearer photo - and cleaning!
It currently looks like a two-handled stopcock, and I've neffer seen anything like it!
But, if they are actually two separate SCs in series, then Grumpy's explanation sounds likely.

Yes, its obvious the previous home owners were where one was left handed and one right handed, and so this was fitted so they could both us it.

 

This would be a great photo to post to one of those Dull Men's Club groups on facebook; they take great delight in suggesting why.

Post this one:

Obviously from a mixed UK/Aussie household.

Clockwise open or shut ?

I can't quite remember; off to fill the sink...