We need to turn the water off at home to change a washer?

Question

But there is no way of doing it at the house
There is a manhole outside and my dad seems to remember having to do it b4 and hired someone to do it
Will it be safe for him to do it himself? And is there a special way to get the covers off?

Answer 1

THERE SHOULD BE A SHUT OFF INSIDE THE HOUSE POSSIBLY IN THE BASEMENT IF YOU HAVE ONE IT SHOULD BE WHER EVER THE WATER LINE COME INTO THE HOUSE FROM OUTSIDE POSSIBLY A CRAWL SPACE GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

This depends on the tap. If you've got modern plumbing, you'll find a restrictor valve under each tap and you can change the washer if you turn the valve off with a screwdriver.

If your plumbing is older, and you have a hot tank, there should be a wheel valve near it to turn off the hot water so you can change a washer on the hot taps. There should also be a tap on the pipe that comes out of the loft tank and feeds the cold taps in the bath and wash basin.

If you need to change the washer in the cold tap in the kitchen sink, you need to turn off the supply from the street. There should be a tap where the pipe comes into the house. If not, your plumbing is very old and really needs to be replaced.

If you need to turn off the supply in the street, there is a special tool you need to buy (or borrow one from the old man down the road - everyone over 60 has got one!). You can normally lift the cover with the handle of the tool, but a screwdriver does just as well. If the cover is keyhole shaped, you lift it then turn it. If you have a water meter, the valve is next to it.

Answer 3

The main stop tap for your house won't be down any manhole. It is on the pavement under either a square metal plate, or a circular one. This one is the waterboards property and you would need a water key to turn it off. However, you do so at your own risk if it is damaged in any way. Old stoptaps that have never been turned off can be unpredictable. For instance, I attended a house for a burst pipe when there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. This house still had old lead pipes everywhere, and no main stop tap anywhere. I went outside and cleared the snow where the outside stop tap was, and turned it off with a water key. fixed the leaking pipe and when I turned this tap back on, the whole body of the tap unscrewed and a fountain of water shot into the air. I had no alternative than try to put my hand down the hole and screw the tap body back in. I got soaked to the skin and was blue with the cold, but after 3 attempts I managed to refit it. so I would advise that if you need an outside tap turned off, call the water board to do it.

Answer 4

you should be able to find your shut off valve out in front of house it will be a small manhole cover the size of a pizza and usually says water...and its just a gate valve so anyone can turn it off if it hasnt been turned in a while you might need to dig the dirt out from underneith the handle and drop some oil on it to loosen...you shouldnt have to pay someone to help you find it or turn it...a neighbor usually has the same and will gladly share their input..just ASK good luck

Answer 5

Most faucets have a cut off valve under counter. If not, where does your town read your water meter? Usually there is a valve located with the water meter that will allow you to shut the water off temporarily. Don't think I would mess with the manhole.

Answer 6

there is usual a mains stop tap in the house usual under the sink but if there is then the mains stop tap will be in a little cover outside bout 4inch square,and you will need to hire a stop tap key from any hire shop,if you dont wanna hire 1 then if you got a ratchet set of spanners they do the same trick,then just run the water of in the house and your sorted

Answer 7

If you don't have a main shut-off in your house, you'll probably have to have the water dept shut it off at the curb! While it's off I have a plummer come in and install a main shut-off to the house, where you can get to it, in case of an emergency!

Answer 8

There's usually a stop tap under kitchen sinks, well mine is.
But for a hot tap you need to go to where your hot water tank
is if you use that system, attached to the outlet pipe.

Answer 9

the is a water shut off near your outside wall--it is your dad's home--just get visegrips-and turn the water off-remember-this is a free country -

Answer 10

no special way , you need a water key , but it is against the law for the past 2 years for you to do it

call the water board , as them , they should come out with in the hour and phone when your finished to turn it on

but you should have a stopcock in the house somewere ask a neighbour where theres is