Hi I need to turn off the mains water supply outside the house?
Question:Where can I get a spanner to do this? And also how do I do it. I know about the stop **** in th house but don't have a clue about the outside stop ****? Many thanks
Answers:
You can buy a purpose made stop tap spanner on a long arm with a 'T' top, the stop tap may be outside your door (small square with w on it), if not at the end of the street, if it is at the end of the street you will be turning at least some of your neighbours off too!
you need to call your water supplier and ask them to turn it off for you. you will need to tell them why and if it is an emergency. I have had to have it done before.
The underground stoptap is about 2 feet 6 inches down. It is a normal stoptap and you need a plank of wood about 3 feet long with a V shaped notch in one end and a hole in the other end to put a bar through it. Place the V notch over the handle of the stoptap, insert the bar and turn clockwise. It may be very stiff but it will turn off.
Tread warily, stop taps sometimes shear off when turned, but in an emergency, take hold of your clothes prop and invert it, place the V over the stoptap and twist. If this breaks the end off your prop, (Sods law in action) have no fear, cut a new one or for that matter, cut a V in any piece of wood long enough to reach the tap and give you purchase on the other end. Simple solutions are often the best.... Pat.
More Related Questions & Answers...