The 'stop tap' (or stopcock) is a valve for turning the cold water system in your home on and off - it's important to know where the stop tap for your home is located and how to use it, especially in an emergency such as a burst pipe or a leak.
Using the stop tap
- turn the stop tap in a clockwise direction to turn water supply off
- turn the stop tap in an anti-clockwise direction to turn the water supply on
Where to find your stop tap
Stop taps are usually located in the kitchen, below the sink unit. However, yours could be in a different location such as a front or back hall, or in the garage or utility area.
If you are a new tenant your Housing Management Officer will show you where the stop tap is in your home.
Check your stop tap
It is important that you know where your stop tap is, and that you check that your stop tap is working, so that it can be turned off (and stop pipes flooding) in an emergency.
We recommend chaing your stop tap every 6 months.
To check your stop tap:
- run the cold water tap in your kitchen sink
- turn the stop tap in a clockwise direction to turn off the water
- check that the cold water stops flowing into the kitchen sink - this is what's supposed to happen
- turn the stop tap anti-clockwise to turn the water back on
- check the water starts flowing again
- turn off the cold tap in your kitchen sink
If your stop tap is not working or feels stuck, please contact the Housing Repairs Team.
Be winter ready to prevent burst pipes
Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst, leading to serious water damange.
Here's how to protect your home:
- know where your stop tap is and check it works before winter.
- keep your home warm. If you're away, set your heating to come on for short periods.
- open cupboard doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
- report dripping taps, even a small trickle can freeze and block a pipe.
If a pipe bursts, turn off your stop tap immediately and call the Housing Repairs Team
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