Our Customer Services Team recently took a call from a resident who was having trouble locating the stopcock in their home. Using the video call facility the Customer Service Advisor was able to help the resident look around the areas in their home where it was most likely located and find the stopcock.  

That led to a discussion about how this would be helpful to share information with all residents about where stopcocks can be found – so here goes! 

Know where your stopcock is – It could save you a lot of trouble 

If a pipe bursts or you spot a leak, the first thing you’ll want to do is turn off your water supply, and that means knowing where your stopcock is. 

What is a stopcock? 

A stopcock is a valve that controls the flow of mains water into your home. Turning it off stops water from entering the property, which can help prevent damage in emergencies. 

In many cases we will have fitted a Surestop valve to your home. These allow users to easily turn off the main water supply with a simple flick of a switch, similar to turning off a light. They operate by using the water pressure in your system, so there are no batteries or electricity involved.

There are two types of Surestop valves, as this picture shows:

If you don’t have a Surestop valve, then you may have one these more traditional looking stopcocks:

Why you should know where it is 

• Quick response in emergencies 
  If a pipe bursts, every second counts. Knowing where your stopcock is means you can act fast and minimise damage. 
• Plumbing or appliance work 
  For example if you’re installing a washing machine, you may need to shut off the water. 
• Peace of mind 
  It’s one of those small things that can make a big difference when you need it most. 

Where to look 

In most homes, the stopcock is found in one of these places: 

• Under the kitchen sink 
• In a downstairs toilet or utility room 
• Inside a cupboard near the front door 
• In the garage, or basement 
• In some flats, it may be in a communal area or external wall box 

If you can’t find it, contact us, we’d be happy to help you locate it.  

What to do once you find it 

• Test it: If it’s a Surestop valve, flick the switch to make sure it cuts the water off. If it’s a traditional stopcock, turn it clockwise to shut off the water, and anti-clockwise to turn it back on. It should move smoothly. 
• Make a note: Write down where it is and let everyone in your household know. 
• Take a photo: Keep it on your phone in case you need to show someone or find it quickly.