A stopcock is the vital plumbing valve used to control water supply to a building
When a leak strikes, your first instinct may be to call an engineer. But British Gas suggests there is a crucial step worth doing first – especially during emergencies.
The energy firm’s advice all starts with your stopcock – the vital plumbing valve used to control water supply to a building. Knowing where it is, what it’s for, and how to switch it off can help in cases where pipes burst or other incidents occur at home. An expert at British Gas recently took to Instagram to share their insights.
She said: “Did you know that your house has an emergency off button for the water, but in an emergency situation, do you actually know where it is?
“Your stopcock is most commonly found under your kitchen unit. Your stopcock can also be found in your downstairs toilets or in your utility rooms. Sometimes your stopcock can also be located in your outside meter, normally in your driveway.”
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If you’re struggling to find your stopcock, trace the pipes back from the tap until you find a valve on your main water supply. To turn it off, simply grab the handle and turn it clockwise until you feel some resistance.
The expert continued: “Make sure to test this, as they can seize up. Winter isn’t waiting, and neither should you. Go and locate and test your stopcock today.”
British Gas also explained that burst pipes are especially common in cold weather and may occur when a pipe freezes. Burst pipes are often indicated by a sudden drop in water pressure, damp patches, or water marks on walls and floors.
Beyond turning off the stopcock, households should open all taps to drain the system in such instances. The supply should remain off until an engineer can evaluate and repair the damage.
According to the Mirror, Joanna Flowers, a British Gas service and repair engineer, also said recently: “Frozen pipes are one of the most common issues we see during cold snaps, but the good news is they’re usually simple to sort out if you act quickly.
“If you do run into any issues and you call before 11am, one of our engineers will be with you the same day.” Nonetheless, the easiest way to avoid costly repairs caused by frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place.
Wrapping pipes with affordable insulation from a DIY store helps preserve heat and minimise heat loss. Further online advice from British Gas explains: “Insulating your pipes and water tanks is one of the best ways to prevent them from freezing.
“You can buy inexpensive pipe lagging and tank jackets from most DIY stores and fit them yourself for free. Just make sure you check the pipe and tank measurements first.”
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