12/06/2026
Your stopcock is the valve that turns off the water supply to your home.
Signs that it may need attention include:
* It is stiff or impossible to turn.
* It drips when closed.
* It does not fully shut off the water supply when closed.
* You have never tested it since moving into your home.
* It has not been turned for several years.
It's worth taking 30 seconds to check it so that, in the event of an emergency, you know where it is and that it works. It could save your home from serious flood damage.
When checking your stopcock, it should turn by hand. If it doesn't, do not force it, as this could cause it to break or start leaking.
