Our house does not have an internal stopcock - it is next door! What is the best way to have one fitted?

Question

Obviously this means that currently we cannot turn off our water if we have a leak or need to do some plumbing. We have just bought the house and the lack of stopcock was not mentioned by our solicitors or anyone else. We don't know if they were legally obliged to tell us. Nobody is actually living next door, and that property is owned by a housing association. We guess in order to get a stopcock fitted in our house we will have to get next door's plumbing turned off whilst the work is done. Any advice would be welcomed, as we know nothing about plumbing!

Answer 1

I bought one half of a Villa that had been split in two, my half, the top half, had no stopcock. I had to find the rising main pipe coming up to the top flat, work out where I could fit a stopcock. After buying what was required I asked my neighbour if I could turn the water off for a couple of hours till the job was done. This allowed them to fill up pots and kettles with water to see them over a couple of hours. If as you say the house is empty there will be a water board stopcock out in the street that supplies the whole building. The cover is usually about 100mm square and sometimes it has the letter W on the top and the actual stopcock is abou 60-70cm down the hole. You require a special key called a TOBY, (well that's what they call them in Scotland) it is T shaped with the part that fits the valve at the bottom of the T and it is about 120cm long. When you feel it on the valve turn it 90 degrees and check if your water is off. The job can be carried out by either of these processes, but if you think it is too involved to do it yourself a plumber would be your best bet. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

You are right. The only way you can have a stopcock fitted is to turn off the water next door and to have one fitted into your cold main. About an hours work for a plumber, but try to make arrangements with the Housing Association befor hand.

Answer 3

The shut off is out alone street I bet. I have worked on lots of houses that had no shut off for the whole house. If you can sodderif its copper . Or if its plastic glue.
They do have fitting that need no solder so just get what/size need (2 compression fitting and a ball valve (some valves have compre) have water turned off cut a section out and install valve. Or get Plumber to install 1 . Since they work with water all time they have tools to turn off at street and can do swap in time you think about it. Good luck on new house

Answer 4

I think it strange that some building societies will prevent houses being purchased for having 'illegal' stair-treads to an attic, but when it comes to the basic need for emergency stoppage this is greatly ignored. I would say very strongly that you require a stopcock to isolate the mains supply to your house, it's probably one of the most basic requirements of the building regulations. I could check my source in work if you like, but it's a basic necessity in my professional opinion as a building services designer.

Answer 5

Split services are not good. Depending on the type of pipe and your DIY skills it may take a plumber. Problem I see is that there is likely only one water meter. You should have been notified of this fact at the time of purchase. I would contact my Realtor about this and also the Housing Association to work out an amicable solution.

Answer 6

Invite them over for coffee, sit down with them, and discuss the problem. Explain to them that when they park there, you do not receive your mail because the mailbox is blocked, and ask if they could park somewhere else until at least after the mail is delivered. Maybe even offer your driveway if you have room. And who knows? If you talk to your neighbors, you might even find you have stuff in common and might becomes friends!

Answer 7

must be an incoming pipe for your water under sink have one fitted.plumber will turn it off outside.