Clark Drain CD880 140mm x 115mm x 75mm Stop Tap Stopcock Cover/lid PVC Locking Surround Box

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In the home, if all goes well, the main stopcock should need to be used little or hopefully not at all. The diagram below shows the typical pipework for most homes and who is responsible for maintaining it. I think your Builder is right not to cover a stop tap, if you or others need this in an emergency it has to be visible.

You should only use your outside stop valve in an emergency, for example if you have a leak on the supply pipe between the inside and outside stop valves. As long as your stopcock is working properly and you know where it is, turning your water off shouldn’t be too difficult.When the handle or key is turned clockwise, the valve is closed and when turned anti-clockwise the valve is open. Martin Smith an emergency plumber believe a shut off valve or main stopcock is a very important valve and should be made very familiar.

Once the water is safely off, you will be able to carry out any work that needs done, from attempting to fix a leaking pipe to unblocking a drain. A cure to loosening the dirt and grime within the stopcock can be cured a little by just moving back and forward or opening and shutting. In the grand majority of all cases the home will have one and it normally sits close to the water input from the main supply.If your stopcock won’t turn off with the use of little elbow grease then you may need to find a pair off grips and turn off in the clockwise position only.

If you can’t locate your stopcock, it can be worth asking your neighbour where theirs is, especially if you live in an older terraced house or flat. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent.The automatic stopcock works in much the same way, but with an electronic actuator working on remote or activation by a sensor. If the stop valve has too much PTFE then the chances are that the stop tap body at the thread will split open at the brass wear. Filing paperwork, sorting out the linen cupboard and in all likelihood, testing your stop tap is on that list too.