Emergency Plumbing Guide: Turn Off Water Supply with ACW Drains
Plumbing Emergency? How to Turn Off the Water Supply with ACW Drains
In a plumbing emergency, knowing how to quickly turn off your water supply can save you from costly damage and stress. At ACW Drains, we understand the importance of prompt action when a pipe bursts or a leak occurs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you manage the situation until our 24-hour emergency plumber arrives.
How to Turn Off the Water Under the Sink
Most homes have a stop tap, or stopcock, located near the kitchen sink or in a hallway. This valve is crucial during emergencies as it can shut off the cold water supply to your entire home.
The stopcock is a brass valve with a water pipe on each side. To stop the water, simply turn the valve clockwise. If it hasn’t been used in a while, it may be stiff, so applying some WD40 can help loosen it.
TIP: Familiarize yourself with the location of the main water shutoff valve before an emergency strikes. If you’ve recently had a boiler repair or plumbing maintenance, ask the engineer to show you where it is. If you rent, your landlord should be able to provide this information.
Need an Emergency Plumber? Call ACW Drains
Experiencing a burst pipe, a leaking sink, or issues with the main water shutoff valve? ACW Drains is here to help with prompt and professional service. No job is too big or small for our expert plumbers. Contact ACW Drains today for emergency plumbing services.
What About Hot Water?
Hot water cylinders also have a valve that you can turn to stop the flow. By turning this valve clockwise, you’ll shut off the hot water. For homes with combination boilers, shutting off the main water valve will also cut off the hot water supply.
How to Check If the Water Supply Is Off
After turning off the stop valve, check if the water is off by turning on the cold water tap in your kitchen. If the water slows and then stops, you’ve successfully cut off the supply. This is an essential step before addressing any plumbing issue.
Turn Off the Outside Main Water Valve
Your property’s outside stopcock is typically found under a cover near the pavement, next to the water meter. Turning this valve clockwise will shut off the water supply to your property, giving you control over the situation until an emergency plumber arrives.
Can I Isolate Individual Appliances?
Yes, many appliances have their own isolation valves, which can be very useful if an appliance has a leak. To isolate an appliance, use a screwdriver to turn the valve 90 degrees. This will cut off the water supply to that specific appliance, such as your washing machine or dishwasher.
Turn Off the Water Supply to a Washing Machine
To shut off the water supply to a washing machine or dishwasher, locate the main water shutoff valve for the appliance. Washing machines often have two valves (hot and cold), which work like outdoor valves. Simply turn them off clockwise. Some machines may have a lever-style valve that you can pull down to shut off the water.
How to Turn Off Water to a Toilet
The shutoff valve for your toilet is usually located behind it. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the valve 90 degrees, shutting off the water to the toilet without affecting the entire house. For older toilets without an isolation valve, you’ll need to use the main water shutoff valve.
How to Turn Off Water Supply to Bathroom Taps
To shut off water to bathroom taps, locate the valve under the sink and use a flathead screwdriver to turn it until the slot is at a right angle to the pipe. Run the tap to ensure the water is off. If you prefer, you can turn off the main valve for the entire property.
Once the Water Is Off, Call ACW Drains
After you’ve shut off the water, it’s time to call ACW Drains. We provide emergency plumbing services across the UK and can usually be with you within an hour. Our rapid response ensures that any leak, heating, or drainage problem is resolved quickly and efficiently.
No Call-Out Fee: ACW Drains offers a no call-out fee policy. We provide a free, no-obligation quote before starting any emergency plumbing work. Whether it’s a weekend, late night, or bank holiday, our rates remain the same. Learn more about our emergency plumbing services.
Do Plumbers Work at Night?
Yes, ACW Drains offers 24-hour emergency plumbing services, so we can assist you anytime, day or night. If a quick fix is needed to stop the problem temporarily, we’ll handle it on the spot. We have local engineers across the UK who can return the next day to implement a permanent solution. Find your local ACW Drains engineer.
External Resources
UK Government - Water Supply Regulations