How to Find and Turn Off Your Stopcock
Know where your stopcock is before you need it. A quick guide from Gas Safe registered engineers across East London. Call 07927 882561.
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Upfront cost — no obligation In a flood or burst pipe, being able to find and turn off your stopcock quickly can make the difference between a minor mess and serious water damage. Here’s how to find it, and what to do if you can’t.
Where to look
Most homes have a stopcock under the kitchen sink, though it can also be found in a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, or under the stairs. Flats and newer builds sometimes have it in a different spot, such as a hallway cupboard. It’s usually a small lever or wheel valve on the incoming water pipe. There may also be an external stopcock near the boundary of your property, often under a small cover in the pavement or front garden, though this is shared and controlled by your water company.
Most homes have a stopcock under the kitchen sink, though it can also be found in a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, or under the stairs.
How to turn it off
Turn the stopcock clockwise to shut off the water, and anticlockwise to turn it back on. It can be stiff if it hasn’t been used in a while, so don’t force it hard if it won’t move; a plumber can free a seized stopcock safely. Once it’s off, run a downstairs tap to relieve the pressure in the system.
Turn the stopcock clockwise to shut off the water, and anticlockwise to turn it back on.
Can't find it, or it won't work?
If you can’t locate your stopcock, or it’s turned but water is still flowing, don’t waste time searching in a genuine emergency: call us. We can isolate the water at the stop valve directly where the stopcock itself has failed, the same way we handled a recent flooding call-out in Dagenham where the internal stopcock turned out to be faulty. It’s also worth finding and testing your stopcock now, before an emergency, so you’re not searching for it during a flood.
If you can’t locate your stopcock, or it’s turned but water is still flowing, don’t waste time searching in a genuine emergency: call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is my stopcock usually located?
Most commonly under the kitchen sink, but also check a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, under the stairs, or a hallway cupboard in flats.
Which way do I turn it to shut off the water?
Clockwise to turn off, anticlockwise to turn back on.
What if my stopcock won't turn or is stuck?
Don't force it — a stiff or seized stopcock can be freed safely by a plumber. Forcing it can cause it to snap.
What if I can't find a stopcock at all, or it doesn't stop the flow?
Call us. We can isolate the water at the stop valve directly if the stopcock itself has failed or can't be found.
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