Whether there is an imminent problem in either your workplace or at home, that requires you turning the water supply off or not, it is always handy to know how to do it. So, should you find yourself in the unfortunate position where you need to turn the water off ASAP, you can run straight there and do it!
Why and when should I turn my water supply off?
There are a number of scenarios whereby you may, at some point, need to know how to turn your main water supply off. Let’s take a quick look at some of them:
- Burst pipe
This often happens in the winter when the pipes freeze over.
- Going on holiday
A personal choice, but some people prefer to be on the safe side and stop the water, just to be on the safe side.
- Detect a leak
If you have a slight suspicion there may be a leak somewhere, the first thing to do is turn off the water supply so it can’t develop into something more major.
So, let’s take a look at the steps to follow to turn off your water supply.
Locating the stop tap
The stop tap is usually located somewhere on the ground floor of the property. More often than not it is found in the kitchen under the sink, or perhaps the downstairs WC or utility room. If you struggle to find it, locate the cold water pipe under the sink. Once you have done this, follow the pipe along and that should take you to the stop valve. It tends to look like a brass valve with a handle.
Turning the stop tap off
Now you’ve found the stop valve you need to isolate the water supply. To do this, you simply turn it to the left (as you would do any normal tap) using a spanner, and there you have it! The water supply has now been turned off.
Emptying the tank
Following this, you should turn ON all the taps in the building to let all the water empty from the system.
So now you know the quickest and safest way to disconnect your water supply, so if you’re ever in an emergency situation, you will know exactly where to go and what to do!
If you’re looking for drainage experts who can be there to offer you the best solution, then please get in touch with the team at Wildon UK to find out more about our specialist services – we’ll be happy to help!
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