Advice on a new internal stopcock

indiegirl_2

After a rather loud 'bang' yesterday and plenty of water all over the floor and behind my (less than 6mths old) kitchen cupboards/plinths, we discovered that the internal stopcock was trying to give up the ghost.

It's been tightened for the time being and seems to be holding, but could anyone give me a ballpark figure for the South East (well, Milton Keynes, so south Midlands really) for the replacement of a stopcock? (so I can plan how poor I'm going to be)

Thanks

ormus

about 10 quid diy, or 100/200 quid for a plumber.

weekendwarrior

It probably does not need replacing, it might just need a bit of TLC and some pointers from here- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/stop_tap/Stop_tap.htm

If you are getting it replaced then one of these are much better- http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17293/Plumbing/Brassware/Full-Bore-Lever-Ball-Valve-22mm

BobProperty

weekendwarrior wrote: »

It probably does not need replacing, it might just need a bit of TLC and some pointers from here- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/stop_tap/Stop_tap.htm

If you are getting it replaced then one of these are much better- http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17293/Plumbing/Brassware/Full-Bore-Lever-Ball-Valve-22mm

I've got a feeling you can't use full bore lever valves as the stop tap for some reason. I'm trying to look it up or find it on the net. WRAS or BS compliance comes to mind.
To the OP, what was the "bang", plumbing doesn't often do that? Can you turn the mains off outside and work on the stop tap?

indiegirl_2

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but it appeared that the stopcock was leaking. We heard a bang about 11am yesterday morning, but couldn't locate the source (it sounded like something falling over on a pipe, or air in the pipes giving it some!). When hoovering in the kitchen, I noticed that the side panel in the kitchen had split at the bottom.

When I pulled the plinths off under the kitchen sink cupboard, it had been showered in water :eek: and the floor was soaked (hardboard floor so it had spread pretty quickly underneath. There was an ongoing dripping from behind the sink. My father, who's a pretty competent DIYer, came over and sourced the dripping to the stopcock. He tightened the gland nut and suggested that we look into a replacement. I'm on tenterhooks again in case it goes once more.

Whilst Dad's more than capabale with his DIY I'm not sure whether I'd be confident in letting him replace it himself: is it an easy job? I've only just managed to locate the outside stoptap (after living here for 6mths) - which is a very long way down in the ground!

weekendwarrior

BobProperty wrote: »

I've got a feeling you can't use full bore lever valves as the stop tap for some reason. I'm trying to look it up or find it on the net. WRAS or BS compliance comes to mind.
To the OP, what was the "bang", plumbing doesn't often do that? Can you turn the mains off outside and work on the stop tap?

I have read a few recommendations for them in the past, but I'm not well up on the regs.

This one is WRAS approved- http://www.screwfix.com/prods/83539/Plumbing/Pegler-Brassware/Pegler-Ball-Valve-Yellow-22mm

Canucklehead

Hi

From your last post I would say this...
When you had the kitchen fitted whoever turned the water on last didn't check to see if the packing gland was leaking before going home. (these often leak from the packing gland as they don't get regular use.) Now for the last 6 months the drip, drip , drip has soaked into the unit and also across the floor. It takes a while for a chipboard unit to blow to the point where it splits. Is it possible the 'bang' was the result of pressure on an adjacent unit.?
Now that your Dad has tightened up the packing gland you say there is no leak?
If so then, IMO, that's the end of it apart from a ruined unit.:mad:

Just my opinion.


Corgi Guy.
PS.

It used to be that a stopcock on an incoming main had to be re-washerable and would prevent back siphonage by means of the jumper (with the washer on it) being forced down onto the seating.
This is not up to regs any more (double check valve now needed) but AFAIK the washer part still stands. Look at any mains stopcock and it will be screwdown and have a washer.
What you do after the mains stopcock is up to you.
The water regs are still under revision and have been for some time ,don't hold your breath!

Sailor_Sam

if your dad is good at DIY it is an easy job. if he has already nipped the tap up, it is not much more to replace it completely, just undo the same two nuts. only difference is you need to turn the water off in the street first. you will probably get a 'key' from the local plumbers for about £10