How to Find Your Stopcock (And Why Every Homeowner Should Know)
Ask most homeowners where their stopcock is and you'll often get a shrug. It's one of the simplest things to check, and one of the most useful in a genuine emergency.
Where to look
The stopcock (sometimes called a stop valve) controls the main water supply into your home. It's most commonly found under the kitchen sink, though in some Swindon properties - particularly older Old Town terraces - it can be in a cellar, utility room, airing cupboard, or even under the stairs.
Why it matters
If a pipe bursts, the very first thing to do is turn off the stopcock to stop water flowing and limit the damage. Every minute spent searching for it during an actual emergency is water still pouring into your home.
Test it now, not during an emergency
- ✓ Turn the stopcock clockwise to close it, then run a tap to confirm the water has stopped
- ✓ Turn it back on afterwards
- ✓ If it's stiff, seized, or won't turn, get it looked at now rather than discovering it doesn't work mid-emergency
If your stopcock is difficult to find, seized, or you're not confident it's working, our emergency plumbing team can check it and replace it if needed - a cheap job now that can save serious money later.
Need help now?
Our Swindon plumbing team is available 24/7.