Stopcock Replacement for Seized or Leaking Stop Taps
If your stopcock will not turn, leaks from the spindle or is buried at the back of a cupboard, replacing it is a small job that matters a great deal in an emergency. We replace old stopcocks with an easy-to-use quarter-turn valve, and where the existing one is hard to reach we can add an accessible isolation valve, so anyone in the house can shut the water off quickly if a pipe bursts.
Signs your stopcock needs replacing
Most people only discover a problem with the stopcock when they need it. These are the warning signs worth acting on:
- The handle will not turn, or only moves with real force
- It turns but the water does not fully stop
- Water weeps from the spindle or the joints around it
- It is so awkward to reach that you would struggle in a hurry
If your stopcock will not turn
Do not force it with a large wrench. An old brass stopcock that has not moved for years can snap or start leaking if you apply too much pressure, and then you have a leak you cannot isolate. A gentle try in both directions is fine; if it will not move, leave it and call us. We can shut the supply off at the outside stop tap where one is available, then replace the internal valve.
Exercising a stopcock by turning it off and on once or twice a year helps stop it seizing in the first place.
Quarter-turn valves and better access
Traditional stopcocks need several turns to close. A quarter-turn valve closes with a single quick movement of a lever, which is much easier in a panic and for anyone with limited grip. We fit one in place of the old stopcock, or as an additional isolation valve in an easier position, such as a kitchen cupboard near the front.
If the stopcock is under floorboards or behind fitted units, moving it can be possible depending on where the supply pipe enters the house. We look at the route and suggest the simplest way to make it reachable.
Outside stop tap or internal stopcock
Most homes have two places to turn off the water: the internal stopcock inside the house, and an external stop tap, usually under a small cover near the property boundary or in the pavement. In general terms, for Scottish Water supplies the pipe up to the boundary is Scottish Water's responsibility, and the supply pipe within your property and the fittings inside the house are the owner's. If the external stop tap is faulty, Scottish Water is the first contact.
Our guide on how to turn off your water shows where to look, and our burst pipe guide explains what to do while you wait for help. For urgent leaks, see our emergency plumber page, and for other small jobs see plumbing repairs.
We cover Kelso, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian.
Stopcock Replacement questions
My stopcock won't turn, what should I do?
Try gently in both directions, but do not force it, as an old stopcock can break. If it will not move, call us and we can isolate the supply elsewhere and replace it.
Can a stopcock be moved somewhere easier to reach?
Often, yes, depending on where the supply pipe enters the house. We can also add a quarter-turn isolation valve in a more accessible spot.
Who is responsible for the outside stop tap?
In general terms, for Scottish Water supplies the pipe up to your boundary, including the external stop tap, is Scottish Water's responsibility, and the pipework within your property is yours.
How often should I test my stopcock?
Turning it off and on once or twice a year keeps it from seizing, so it works when you need it.
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