From Stop-Tap to Shut-Off: The Plumbing Controls Every Homeowner Should Find Now
We all rely on the plumbing systems in our homes without thinking about how it all works, and how everything is controlled.
However, as a homeowner, you really do need to know where to find and how to operate some of the basic controls – for your mains water, key appliances, and your heating system. If there’s an emergency plumbing situation, you’ll need to be able to turn off the water and make everything safe until help arrives.
Here, we’ll run through some of the most important plumbing controls you’ll need to find and familiarise yourself with.
Mains Water Stop-Tap (Stopcock)
The most crucial plumbing control you need to know about as a homeowner is the mains water shut-off valve. It has a few names and is also known as a stopcock or a stop-tap. This is the control which stops the flow of all mains water in your home.
It’s absolutely crucial that every homeowner (and occupant of the house) knows where the mains water stop-tap is. If there’s a leak or a burst pipe, you’ll need to turn the water off right away. Otherwise, you could end up with a major flood on your hands, which can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds in damage and repairs.
Where Is My Mains Water Stopcock?
Each home is different, so your stopcock may be in a different place to other houses. Here are the most common places the stop-tap tends to be located:
- Under the kitchen sink
- In a utility room
- In the garage
- In a downstairs bathroom
- In an airing cupboard
- Under the stairs
- In the basement or cellar.
Wherever it is, it needs to be easily accessible, and you’ll need to remember its location just in case of emergency.
It’s also useful to know about the shut-off valve outside your property. This is usually near the outside water meter or the boundary of the property (where it meets the road), under a metal cover. It’s worth looking up online how to use this valve, or consulting a plumber for advice.
Individual Fixture Shut-Off Valves
As well as knowing the location of the mains water stop-tap, it’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the shut-off valves for individual fixtures. For example, your kitchen sink or behind an appliance like the washing machine.
If there’s a problem, a leak or any repairs need to be carried out, this valve will need to be operated so as to shut off the water supply into the fixture. For sinks, there’ll usually be a small handle or knob on the pipework under the fixture. These are typically turned clockwise to shut off the flow of water.
Water Heater Controls
Last but by no means least, we have water heater controls. It’s useful – and could be extremely helpful in an emergency – to know how to shut off both the power and water to your boiler or other water heater.
Boilers have isolation valves underneath, which can be used to stop the supply of cold water. Look for the cold water supply pipe, and then you should see a shutoff valve.
You should also know how to use the boiler’s control interface to switch the boiler to ‘off’. Other must-know controls include the isolation switch located near the boiler and the circuit breaker for the heating system on your fuse box.
However, this should only ever be used in emergencies – it’s much safer to use the isolation switch or the power switch on the boiler itself.
If you have an issue with your boiler, it’s strongly recommended to call in a professional or get advice before you switch off power or water. If in doubt, get some expert help.