How to Turn the Water Off?

Knowing how to safely turn off your water supply can save you a lot of time and money in an emergency situation, but sometimes it is not enough to simply turn off the stopcock valve in every situation. Understanding where the fault in your system lies is paramount to minimising water damage and the down-time of your system.

If you’re experiencing an emergency with water gushing everywhere then this could be highly stressful, as the longer you leave it the more damage is being done.

We have put this “how to turn the water off” article together for your information. Once you have read it we recommend you become familiar with the plumbing set up in your home. You can read our how to guide below.

If you need a general plumber or gas engineer, then do not hesitate in contacting us. We are based in Bourne End, High Wycombe and we cover all of west London including Marlow, High Wycombe, Acton, Wooburn Green, Henley, Hemel Hempstead, Hillingdon, Maidenhead, Windsor, Amersham, Reading, Beaconsfield, Gerrard’s Cross, Watford, and Redhill.

How to guide

Isolating Water to Appliances

Your home may have isolation valves fitted. This means you can turn off the water supply without having to shut off other outlets. Isolating valves are either lever or screw head operated and are positioned on pipes leading up to the appliance such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

Mains Water Supply (Direct Feed)

The mains water supply into the house can be turned off at the main stop cock or stop valve which is normally located under or near the kitchen sink. This will stop the mains water up to the stop cock. However if you have a cylinder for example, then remember you may also need to turn this off too (see below). If you can find the stop valve then you should be able to turn it off out in the street. It can be difficult to find however it is normally by the pavement in close proximity to your home. These are normally covered and have a mark. We advise you check with the water board first because you may unknowingly turn off the neighbours water and you may also require a special key.

Water Supply (Indirect Feed)

Many people turn off the mains but forget to isolate other water supplies which are fed indirectly. Water stored in a cylinder or cistern in the loft for example would supply water to the bathroom and other parts of the home. To turn this off you’ll need to turn off the valve on the cylinder or cisterns outlet supply.

Hot Water Supply

There are many different types of boilers such as combi, regular or system, so you will need to know whether it is direct feed or indirect feed. If you have a combi boiler then the hot water is supplied direct, so by closing the mains stop valve it will shut off the water. However, if you have a hot water cylinder this will be an indirect supply and there will be a valve on the pipe from the cold water storage cistern to the hot water cylinder. You will need to find this and turn it off.

Central Heating Systems

When draining down your central heating system you will need to stop it refilling, and depending on what type of system you have, there are a number of ways of doing this.

On a vented system, the water level is kept topped up by the feed and expansion cistern so if you drain down this type then you will need to temporarily close off the supply. Either close off the valve on the incoming pipe to the cistern or tie up the float valve.

On a sealed system, the filling loop will supply new water and will remain closed unless the system needs topping up. Keep it closed and only turn back on when you need to refill the system.

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DIY Plumbing Tips – How to turn the water off

MORE PLUMBING AND HEATING TIPS!

Check out our plumbing and heating tips page. We maybe able to help you isolate the mains water, fix a leak or unblock a toilet, before having to call out an engineer. Also please read our gas safety article which has been written to help keep you safe.