Is there a plumber about?

Question

I'm in trouble! My tank in my bathroom has sprung a leak. Its 4 .15am on Sat morning. My partners at work so cant help me. could a plumber tell me what to do? This is an old house-56 yrs- and the original water tank is still in it. It is a triangular tank in the corner of the bathroom. The water in this is heated by a backboiler in the fire downstairs-there is no immersion heater. I turned on the tap and tried to run the water out of the tank but its being filled by the cold water mains supply. Theres a tap or a key or a faucet, whatever you call it, under the stairs on the water pipe. It wont budge for me so I dont know do I turn it clockwise or anticlockwise? Its so stiff I'll have to hit it with the hammer and if I hit it the wrong way I'll b in worse trouble. Does anyone know which way it should turn? Are these things universal or do they differ from country to country? Im in Ireland. I have the cold tap running downstairs to stop the tank gettin too full or should It b upstar

Thank you all for your help. I turned the tap clockwise and the cold water has stopped running so the tank will eventually stop leaking. In the morning, PG, I will get a plumber.

Just to fill in all the people who helped me with their advice: I got the valve turned as I said, but the tank just kept on leaking. I was like that little boy in Holland who put his arm in the dyke to stop it flooding! All night long I tried to stem the flow with my finger. Anyhow, when my partner came in he taped over the leak, manually took out as much of the water as he could and taped up a thing called the ballcock. This meant the water could be turned on again. Joy! So, I can use my own wc and also wash every towel in the house that I had used to soak up the leak. On Monday, PG, I will have a new tank installed.
Thanks again for your help. I really felt very lonely at 4.15 this morning and although you were on a computer, you all made me feel like I wasnt alone! Cheers!

Answer 1

Clockwise.
keep all your cold taps running till the plumber gets there, or you turn off the stop ****.
The blanked out word says co.ck ( you Americans)
Looks like next years holiday just bit the dust!

Answer 2

All the advice seems to be OK You MUST find the main stopcock that gets water into the building. Turn it CLOCKWISE for off, they are the same all over the world.. Turn all taps on in the house. Turn out fire ( On a shovel if necessary)

Answer 3

There should be a main stop tap under your sink unit.If there is try turning it clockwise to shut it off. Open all your cold water taps to ease the water pressure, and your hot water taps to drain your tank and system.
Remember to fill some pans with water before you drain your system, or you won't be able to have a drink until it is repaired.

Answer 4

Probably wont help but thought you might like the info, on t.v today was an item about a guy who was 100 years old today and still working for a london plumbers in pimlico, probably not worth calling them as it might take a while for him to get to you, he is 100 after all.

Answer 5

clockwise turn off. second choice is the main water line. righty tighty. yes a plumber cost less than flooding the house.

Answer 6

Is there not a value under the toilet itself? Most toilets have a holes coming from the wall to the toilet from below the toilet. Look and see. If it does it should turn clockwise to shut off.

Answer 7

Always remember righty tighty and lefty loosey. Now you will always know which way to turn it. Good Luck!

Answer 8

for plumber look in the yellow pages.