Your stop tap, also known as a stop cock or stop valve, controls the cold water supply into your home or business. Most properties have two stop taps, an internal and an external.
The internal stop tap controls the water inside the property. The external stop tap controls the whole supply of water into the property boundary.
You should only use your external stop tap in an emergency, where you have a leak on the supply pipe between your internal and external stop taps.
Water pipe responsibility
The water mains and pipes in public roads and footpaths are usually our responsibility.
Pipes not in the road or footpath and all your internal pipework is normally your responsibility. However not all supply pipes are set out in this way.
For example, you may share your supply pipe with a neighbour. It's easy to find out if you do share a supply by checking how many external stop taps are outside your home.
The external stop tap and water meter are owned by us, and it's our responsibility to fix leaks or problems that might happen here in certain scenarios.
The pipe that carries water from the external stop tap into your home (the supply pipe), is your responsibility. In the event of a leak on this pipe or within your property, you will need to contact an approved plumber.
How to find and use your internal stop tap
Your internal stop tap is usually located in one of the following places and will look like a tap handle but with no spout:
- a kitchen cupboard
- utility room or garage
- under the stairs
- a downstairs bathroom or toilet
If you need to turn it off, turn in clockwise (to the right). It may take some time for the water to stop. To open it again, turn the tap anti-clockwise (to the left). Please be gentle and do not overtighten or force the tap, as it may get damaged.
If your tap is not turning, or the water does not shut off in a few minutes, then you will need to contact a plumber.
Finding your external stop tap
Your external stop tap is usually found underneath a cover on the footpath or road outside your home or business.
It could also be found:
- in the same location as your water meter on your property - if you have found the correct chamber, your water meter number should match the meter number on your bill
- at the end of your driveway or road - this is usually the case with older properties, that share a supply with neighbours
Due to the location, care must be taken when looking for or using your external stop tap, for your safety and to not create a hazard.
The cover can vary, however will usually look something like one of the below images.
Using your external stop tap
You should not be using or relying on your external stop tap to turn the water supply off inside your home. You should be using your internal stop tap for this. Your external stop tap should only be used if you have a leak on your supply pipe.
Turning off the external stop tap:
Before you start, you must check your internal stop tap and turn your water supply off from there. If it's seized, not working or you can't find your internal stop tap, then proceed to your external stop tap, and turn the valve clockwise (to the right).
It will likely take a few turns to stop the flow of the water, and it may take a few minutes to stop the water running from your taps as there will be some water left in the pipes. For certain stop taps, a valve or universal stop tap key is needed. These can be purchased from most hardware stores or online.
When you reach a point where you cannot turn the stop tap anymore, stop. Do not use force to turn it any further. You must also remember that if your home is on a shared water supply, you must let your neighbours know before you start work, as turning off the external stop tap will turn their water supply off too.
Turning on the external stop tap:
To turn the external stop tap back on and to restore your water supply, turn anti-clockwise (to the left). It may take a few turns to turn the water back on, and it may take a few minutes for the water to return to your taps too, as it makes its way back through the pipework.
Having problems?
If you are having problems with your internal or external stop taps, the quickest way to turn your water off is to contact a reputable plumber. Visit our dedicated webpage to find an accredited plumber.