stopcock jammed - what to do?

travel_freak

Hi,

Continuing the woes of things wrong with my new (old) home....!

I wanted to have a water meter fitted, the water company came to look and the chap said the stopcock is jammed and he wasn't allowed to try and force it in case something went wrong!

It's a Victorian house and the stopcock does look really old and rusty - I'm too worried now myself to try and force it in case I end up with mains pressure water gushing through the house!!

Please can I ask for any tips on what is best to do? How can I find out if I can first turn off the water in the street for safety and am I allowed to do this or must I call in the water company?

I think there are various other water/boiler problems to be sorted anyway so I do need to be able to turn the water on and off.

Many thanks

maninthestreet

You can turn off the water in the street if you want, and know how to do it.
You can also change the stopc-o-c-k yourself. But you may be advised to call in a plumber.

startrekker

maninthestreet is spot on.

They came to change ours and same scenario...... he was just about to walk off when I suggested turning off at the street. He managed to get it done......did grumble a lot though, thought he was going to have an easy day no doubt.......:rolleyes:

jimbo_the_jetset

Be prepared that the one in the street may also be in poor condition. I had a plumber round to change the internal stop tap, when he went to turn the outside main stopcock the head sheared off. Then you have to call the water company who will replace for free.

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/stopcock-keys-242-0000

Might need something like this to turn off stopcock in street unless you have Inspector Gadget arms

ormus

you can also make your own for free.
piece of wood about 3 or 4 inches wide. (as long as req) with a V shape cut in one end.
hole in the other end for a bar. (may not be required).
place V over stop tap and turn. simple eh?

tile_guru

Turn off at the street. Then add in a sure stop above the stop !!!! on the rising main. Remember to earth the pipe and you wont have this problem again.

Guru

lowbrim

If I was you I would take out the Homeserve Insurance (marketed by your local water supplier) at around £19/year which covers you for the the pipe from the outside supply to your stopcock in the house and then after 6weeks or so claim on that. Whilst you should not have to do the the local water companies are now charging for everything (which previously were part of the service) and this in my view is one bit of insurance worth having. I know of at least 2 people who have saved over £400 by having this insurance as most local plumbers will not touch the water pipe the mains side of the stopcock and those that do tend to charge a fortune.

Steve_xx

tile_guru wrote: »

Turn off at the street. Then add in a sure stop above the stop !!!! on the rising main. Remember to earth the pipe and you wont have this problem again.

Guru

How would earthing the pipe avoid the same problem in the future?

tile_guru

fitting the sure stop eliminates the issue. Alot of people forget to earth the pipe when they fit them thats all.

Guru

Steve_xx

OK I understand now. The way you'd written it earlier implied that by earthing the pipe you would prevent future jamming!