If you were to fall victim to a burst pipe, would you know where and how to turn the water off to prevent catastrophic damage?
When moving into any property, it’s important to pay attention to where all of the essentials are kept in case of an emergency.
One such element is knowing where your stop tap is in case of a burst pipe or leak.
Stop taps or stop valves have also been known to be called “stop cocks” or “shut off valves” and are what we use to turn off and on water to a property.
In this post, we look at what a stop tap is, where you can find a stop valve, and how to turn your water off in an emergency.
What is a stop tap?
A stop tap is a device on a water pipe that ultimately lets you cut off water to your property and turn it back on again.
Controlling the flow of water to various parts of your property, stop taps are placed in key locations so you can isolate water supply to specific areas.
Each property will have two stop taps, inside and outside of the property.
The internal stop tap controls the water supply inside your property, whereas the external stop cap controls the water flow from the water main.
The inside stop tap is the easiest way to instantly turn your water supply off. However, it is important to note that it is your responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace the internal stop tap when required.
The outside tap will control the water supply of several properties, so it’s important to speak to your neighbours before you simply turn it off. The water company is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and replacing the external stop valve.
Types of stop-tap
There are various types of stop taps, all designed to perform the same function, but all provide differences to meet the piping operations within which they are placed.
Ball valves are identifiable through their lever handle design, and they are mainly found in main water lines.
Gate valves are used as an internal stop valve, stopping the flow of water to isolated areas of the property.
Globe valve – similar to a ball valve; however, a globe valve allows you to be able to regulate the flow of water easier.
Angled valves are commonly found under the kitchen sink and in toilet systems, making them great for individual applications.
Locations of stop-tap
You will find an internal stop valve close to where the water pipe enters the house. This is typically underneath the kitchen sink on a water pipe. However, they have also been known to be located:
- Under the stairs
- Airing cupboards
- Kitchen cupboards
- Bathrooms
- Garage
- Utility room
External stop taps are located within a metering chamber (protective), on the footpath outside of the property, or on the verge and will often be identifiable as they will be covered under a plastic or metal cover.
If in doubt, always ask the previous owner where this could be located and familiarise yourself with its whereabouts.
How to turn off stop tap
Turning off a stop tap is relatively straightforward: to turn the water off, turn the stop valve clockwise. To turn it back on, turn the tap anticlockwise.
If the tap is damaged or isn’t turning properly, speak to a professional plumber as soon as possible.
To turn off an outside stop tap, you will potentially require a stop tap key to access it, which means working with a professional plumbing team or calling the water board for assistan.
If you’re unable to access the external tap, an experienced plumber will be able to freeze or clamp pipes to stop the flow of water while repair works take place, minimising the potential damage to your property.
Note: Be careful not to over tighten taps, and ensure that you carry out maintenance every couple of months for internal taps to make sure everything is in good working order.
Understanding which stop tap you should turn off for certain situations, i.e., internal or external, is essential as you want to cause minimal disruption while also reducing the risk of water damage.
For example, if there is a burst pipe or a leaking pipe inside your property, make sure to turn off the inside stop tap.
If the inside tap is broken or the leak is coming from a private supply pipe (where the pipes are outside your property but still on your land), then the outside stop tap should be turned off.
Top tap tips
- It is advisable to turn your water off using the internal stop tap when you go on holiday for long periods of time to prevent severe damage if you were to experience a leak.
- Turn off the water supply to the property when you’re working on bathroom/sink replacements/repairs.
- Turn off the water supply when carrying out maintenance so you can carry out all plumbing work without disrupting the water supply to the rest of the property.
- If your water becomes discoloured this can mean a build-up of sediment behind the stop tap, and the stop tap may not be fully open or closed, allowing this build-up – if this happens, please speak to a professional immediately.
- During the winter months, keep heating systems on, even if they are low, to prevent pipes from becoming frozen and potentially bursting.
- Be proactive with your pipes and plumbing.
Commercial Plumbing
At Northwich Plumbing, we provide a range of commercial plumbing services to meet all individual needs.
From helping you deal with a burst pipe and plumbing emergency to fitting a new sink or bathroom suite that requires plumbing support – we can help with it all.
Speak to our team today to find out more and see how we can help you.