I have just bought a house, but cannot find the stopcock. Can anyone help me as to where it might be?

Question

I have checked in the kitchen, which is at the front of the house, and cannot find it. The house was built in the 70's in London.

Answer 1

Have you identified where the supply enters the house, normally it will supply the kitchen cold tap first and then up to the cold water tank.
In some properties it will also go to the bathroom cold taps and loo cistern, but not always as this is not preferred by water companies due to the slight risk of back siphoning. So start under the kitchen sink and trace the cold pipe back.
It is possible that there is not a stopcock in the house and your only option is the boundary box outside, this is connected to the Thames Water Main and the outlet pipe from here is your responsibility.
Your option may be to turn it off there and fit your own stopcock in the house for a more convenient arrangement.

Answer 2

There are usually two stopcocks for a home. One is usually found just outside the property boundary and can be used to isolate the building from the water supply. The other is inside the property where the supply enters the property. These valves are provided to allow maintenance and prevent flooding if the domestic water system is pierced.

Answer 3

It is usually at the lowest point in the house where the cold pipe comes in, which is normally under the sink downstairs.

Their are always stopcocks outside as well, they are normally little metal covers which can be lifted, and there will be a little tap in the deep hole.

Answer 4

Your best bet is to ask your next door neighbours. Theres a very good chance the houses were built in a similar fashion. If you meean the main one which lets all water into the house it is outside on the drive/front path/garden. Check back garden also. Inside stop cocks can be numerous-check bathroom/kitchen/airing cupboard. Some people put in extra ones in case of problems. We did this on our toilets so that we can just shut off a toilet or a basin and have water elsewhere in the house for convenience in an emergency. Some people do daft things like fitting cabinets over them though so check carefully.

Answer 5

best advice is to simply look for the place that water is brought into the house from outside , in London i imagine its a terraced house so just search along the original front and back wall (watch out for extensions people rarely move stopcocks) if not their should be one either on the pavement out front or somewhere in the backyard .

Answer 6

The stopcock is located in the hen house

Answer 7

Kitchen under the sink, behing dishwasher or washing machine, garage, under the stairs, front porch, ask your neighbour, cupboard, adjacent or behind boiler, adjacent to electric or gas meters, cubby hole front of house, try to line up stopcock in pavement or drive with the house, it is normally a straight piece of pipe at right angles to pavement.

Answer 8

Stopcock Location

Answer 9

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't a stopcock a device meant to stop water from overflowing?
If so, you should check your main water inlet.

Answer 10

My house is of a similar age, mine is situated under the floorboards just inside the front door. Alternatively there is the main one in the street directly outside the house. Hope this helps!