Mains Water Tap, Where Are You?

AT&T

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Does anyone know where I could look for a mains water tap? The stop tap in the out-house isn't working so I need to switch off the water outside the property somewhere. Three doors away in either direction there are small manhole-type covers with 'W' on them, but there isn't one outside my house.

Can anyone out there give me a clue?
 
Should be on the pavement outside your house or on your drive?not unless its been tarmacced/block paved etc over.
 
Does anyone know where I could look for a mains water tap? The stop tap in the out-house isn't working so I need to switch off the water outside the property somewhere. Three doors away in either direction there are small manhole-type covers with 'W' on them, but there isn't one outside my house.

Can anyone out there give me a clue?

fone up your water provider or local concil if you cant find it...
normaly out frount or at the back of the house......;
 
Should be on the pavement outside your house or on your drive?not unless its been tarmacced/block paved etc over.

That's what I thought, but I couldn't find it there. Do you think it could be in one of the holes at either end of the road? I don't want to turn off someone else's water.
 
If you phone your water supplier, tell them you have a leak and that you do not know where the company stop tap is otherwise they may bill you for turning out, they should send someone out to your address with a laptop with all the pipes and taps on a map.
 
If you phone your water supplier, tell them you have a leak and that you do not know where the company stop tap is otherwise they may bill you for turning out, they should send someone out to your address with a laptop with all the pipes and taps on a map.

What do I say when they turn up and look for the leak?

Are the taps alway individual for each house in the case of semi-detached houses? As I said, there are 'W' manhole-type covers a few doors away in each direction. If I opened them up would there be a few taps under each? How does it work?
 
I believe you should have a stop cock in your house somewhere that will shut off all water to your house. The mains tap outside will be for the street i think?

The one in your house is usually in your kitchen or bathroom. Well thats how it is here in Glasgow.
 
well in my old house the tap in the street served about 6 houses , so you need to find out which one is yours and let your neighbours know your turning it off for a while why you carry out your repair .
 
I agree, you should have a tap for your water main where it enters your house. This is usually under the kitchen sink at floor level, possibly under the sink cupboard accessed by removing the plinth.
 
got some grass outside your house?! have a stab about in the grass on the edge closest to your house - stab around with a screwdriver till u hear the sound of metal!!
 
like some people have said you sould have a stop tap in your home some were to stop your water supply
 
If you dont have the stopcock in your front garden or just outside your house the chances are it is either placed close to your gas meter or electric meter. If its not there it could be under the floorboards next to your main door

If the leak is in your front garden or house the water board will not charge for any repairs as long as the mains has burst. they will repair it but not make good to any areas disturbed (this costs extra)
 
What do I say when they turn up and look for the leak?

Are the taps alway individual for each house in the case of semi-detached houses? As I said, there are 'W' manhole-type covers a few doors away in each direction. If I opened them up would there be a few taps under each? How does it work?

They won't look inside the house for your leak, thats down to your 'contractor/plumber', the water suppliers are responsible for the taps outside the boundary of your property.
I have used this way a few times to found out where the stoptap is. If you turn one of the taps near your house off it may also turn off other houses (common in terraced streets).
You may need a rod to turn the stoptap off if you can't get your arm down far enough.
 
The stop-tap that enters the house isn't connected and the one that enters the out-house has seized up.

I'm worried about turning off the tap outside three doors away and affecting other houses. I'd have to buy a tool for turning off the tap then, and maybe one for opening the manhole-type cover? I tried lifting it by hand but it didn't look like it had moved for years.
 
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screwdriver / wd40 should get it up mate - I always use the tool to turn the tap - means your face is out of the dog crap and you dont get your hand pricked by junkies needles - the little access hole is a bit of a favourate needle disposal site
 
is there room to freeze the pipes next to the stop cock mate thats another suggetion pop down to your local plumb centre and ask for a freezing kit very simple to use and effective
 
Yes, it's done but I never found the stopcock. I used a freezing kit but didn't have room to take out the old stopcock, I just put a second one on.
 
:pool:yes you should have a main one witch should be out side mine is on the road at next door witch turns 3 houses off at the same time m8 ask next door they might no have fun with that :hiyou:hope this was some help
 
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