How do I find my stop cock?

The stopcock or stop tap is a valve for turning off and on the cold water system in your home. When you turn the stopcock in a clockwise direction the water supply will be shut off. You can turn the water supply back on by turning the stopcock in an anti-clockwise direction.

Stopcocks are usually found on an internal wall in your kitchen, below the sink unit.  In some houses the stopcock is found in a front or back hall or in a larder unit beside the sink unit.  However some properties, typically conversions to multiple occupation, do not seem to have one! Even though they should, of course.

If you can’t find an internal stopcock, an external stopcock can usually be found under a small square iron & plastic cover in the pavement It sometimes needs to be dug out & turned on & off with a special turnkey.

It is important that you know where the stopcock is and that you check that your stopcock is working.