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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> stopcock https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1117641788 Message started by johnk on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:03pm

Title: stopcock
Post by johnk on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:03pm

>:( After a warning from someone at work who was had a seized stopcock, I tested mine.
HELP it will not turn off the water.
It is 15mm on the consumer side in the kitchen.
Got advice from friendly Plumbing shop & others.
Turn locking nut to expose spindle and spray WD 40
wait 2 hours, retry, then run taps to remove WD 40 traces.

Have tried stopcock still seized.
Dont want to start hammering stopcock, flooded kitchen if something goes wrong.
Any ideas??????????????????????????????????????

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by billythekid on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:07pm

where the handle of the stopcock enters the body there should be a nut, this is the packing nut, try loosening this(you wont flood yourself out tho you might get a slight drip) this shoold help loosen the thing up, then try your wd. if it still wont turn try putting a set of grips on it. The worst that can happen is you bugger it up, but if you cant close it it's buggered anyway!

Hold against yourself when trying to turn it using a spanner/grips as the forces involved could damage the pipework.

btk

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by billythekid on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:11pm

ahhh i see you tried the packing nut(locking nut?)

well get a spanner onto it or some kind of wrench.

If all else fails you could try heating the body with a blowtorch but you will probably need to re-pack and re-washer it afterwards if you do.

next option really is to replace, a 15mm stopcock is not expensive, £1.65 from screwfix

btk

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by johnk on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:52pm

First time I tried this site, great thoughful responses and so soon! well impressed.

The stopcock is the main one supplying the house, how do I turn of the water to replace it, if all else fails?
Have looked at previous problems on stopcocks not sure where my responsibility begins/ends.
I am sure that the external valve serves several households, a case for the water company?

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by HM on Jun 1^st, 2005, 6:33pm

Stopcocks are reknowned for being subject to locking.

Given it a dose of pipe freezer followed by a gentle bit of flame might do the trick. All that's required is for the bonded surfaces to give very slightly and you've got control of the stopcock again.

Best to get this sorted now before you really need to turn the water off.

In a poll 99 out of 100 plumbers found their own stopcocks were frozen ;D

HM

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by CWatters on Jun 1^st, 2005, 6:58pm

wrote on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:52pm:

The stopcock is the main one supplying the house, how do I turn of the water to replace it, if all else fails?

There is usually one in the road somewhere.

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by billythekid on Jun 1^st, 2005, 7:50pm

yes, look outside the boundary to your property, along the pavement for a "toby" cover. If there is one in the street just be aware you might be turning off your neighbours water too. To turn that off it's a quarter turn valve.

If you do manage to get it unstuck, fully close and reopen it, when fully open, turn it clockwise(closing) a quarter of a turn to help prevent re-sticking.

btk

Title: Re: stopcock
Post by johnk on Jun 3^rd, 2005, 1:53pm

Update on problem.
Tried WD40 option, still stuck.

Freezer option, bought small pack but unfortunately
too near leaded external pipe to try, needs to be 7 inches clear of stopcock, tried anyway, but ???failed to stop the water, pressure too high.