New home stopcock locate in Exeter
Professional new home stopcock locate services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Quick service to locate your main stopcock and outdoor tap isolation valves. I'll test they work, show you how to operate them, and label everything clearly - essential knowledge for any water emergency.
The Question Nobody Asks... Until Water's Flooding the Kitchen
"Where's the stopcock?"
It's 10pm. A pipe's burst under the sink. Water's everywhere. Your partner's shouting, you're panicking, and you're frantically Googling "where is stopcock" on your phone while standing in an expanding puddle.
Here's the thing: Knowing where your stopcock is BEFORE you need it is one of those boring adult responsibilities that suddenly becomes critical at the worst possible moment.
💡 Pro tip: Insurance companies love asking "Did you know where your stopcock was?" after water damage claims. Having it clearly labeled shows you were prepared - can help with claims.
What I Actually Do
🔍 Location Service
| What I Find | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Main stopcock | Shuts off all water to property |
| Outdoor tap isolation | Stops garden tap without killing house water |
| External stopcock (if applicable) | Usually on pavement, needs special key |
| Boiler filling loop | For topping up heating system pressure |
🔧 Testing
Once found, I:
- Test the stopcock actually turns
- Check it fully closes the water supply
- Free off seized valves if possible
- Assess if it needs replacing
🏷️ Labeling
Clear labels on:
- The stopcock itself
- The cupboard/access door
- External stopcocks
- Any isolation valves
Why Stopcocks Hide
In older properties (most of Exeter's housing stock):
- Under kitchen sink ✓ (the obvious place)
- Under stairs in a cupboard
- Under floorboards in hallway
- In an outside access hatch
- In the garage or utility room
- Actually outside on the pavement
- Buried under the lawn (seriously)
The previous owner probably knew where it was. You don't. And the estate agent definitely doesn't.
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Stopcock location & testing | 30 mins | £60 |
Includes locating main stopcock, outdoor tap isolation (if present), testing operation, and clear labeling.
If the stopcock needs freeing off or replacing, I'll quote for that separately.
What Could Go Wrong (If You Don't Know Where It Is)
| ❌ Without This Service | ✅ With Stopcock Located |
|---|---|
| Frantic searching during emergency | Turn water off immediately |
| Water damage spreading for ages | Damage minimized |
| Emergency plumber's first job is finding it (£££) | Plumber can fix problem immediately |
| Insurance claiming you were negligent | Evidence you were prepared |
Why Choose Us for New home stopcock locate in Exeter?
Stopcock located and clearly labeled
Shown how to turn water off in emergency
Outdoor tap isolation valve found too
Peace of mind for water emergencies
What to Expect
Step 1: Search & Locate
I check all the likely spots, plus the unlikely ones. Older properties can be creative with stopcock locations. Usually takes 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Testing
Once found, I test it actually works. Turn it to make sure it operates smoothly, then turn the water back on. If it's seized, I'll try to free it or advise on replacement.
Step 3: Labeling & Demonstration
I label everything clearly, then show you exactly how to operate it. Which way is off (usually clockwise), how many turns, how much force to use. Simple stuff but important in an emergency.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to try finding it yourself first? Here's the systematic approach:
🔍 Most likely locations (check these first)
- Under kitchen sink - look right at the back of the cupboard
- Under stairs cupboard - often low down against the wall
- Bathroom - under the bath panel or in adjacent cupboard
- Utility room - if you have one
- Garage - usually near where the water enters the property
🔎 Less obvious places (if not found above)
- Under floorboards in hallway - look for access panels
- In a ground floor bedroom cupboard - older layouts
- Outside access hatch - usually near the front door
- On pavement outside - under a small metal cover
- Actually buried in the garden (I've seen it)
🔧 What you're looking for
- A valve that looks like this: tap-style wheel OR straight lever
- Usually brass or copper colored
- Often has pipes coming in and out
- Might be covered in cobwebs (they're rarely touched)
✓ Once you find it:
- Turn it slowly clockwise to close
- Check a tap - water should stop flowing
- Turn it anticlockwise to reopen
- Label it clearly
- Take a photo and share with everyone in the house
⚠️ Warning signs
- Won't turn at all - it's seized
- Drips when you turn it - washer needs replacing
- Doesn't fully stop the water - valve is worn
- Any of these? Call a plumber before you have an emergency
💡 Pro trick: Turn your stopcock off and on once a year to keep it operational. Unused valves seize up. Do it when you test your smoke alarms - make it part of your annual home check.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏚️ Old Exeter houses? I've found stopcocks in the weirdest places in Victorian and Edwardian properties. Previous owners did their own plumbing for decades - it's archaeological detective work sometimes.
Can't find it at all? Sometimes there genuinely isn't an internal stopcock - just the one outside on the pavement. You'll need a stopcock key (about a fiver) to operate it. I carry one and can show you how.
Seized stopcocks are really common in properties that have been empty or where it's never been used. I can usually free them off with WD-40 and gentle persuasion. If it's completely seized, replacement is straightforward enough.
Outdoor taps need isolating in winter. If water freezes in the external pipe, it expands, cracks the pipe, and when it thaws you get a flood. Knowing where the isolation valve is means you can shut it off October to March.
Combine with other move-in jobs? If you're having a safety check, window locks fitted, or shelves put up, I can locate the stopcock as part of the same visit. Makes sense while I'm there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to know where my stopcock is?
Because when a pipe bursts at 11pm on a Sunday, you need to shut the water off FAST. Every second counts when water's flooding your kitchen. Most people have no idea where their stopcock is until they desperately need it.
Isn't it always under the kitchen sink?
Sometimes. But I've found them under stairs, in cupboards, under floorboards, in garages, buried in gardens, even outside on the pavement. Older Exeter properties especially - they can be anywhere. Better to know now than search frantically when you've got a leak.
What if the stopcock is seized up?
Common problem, especially in properties that have been empty. If it won't turn, I can usually free it off there and then. If it's completely seized, you'll need a plumber to replace it - but at least you know before you have an emergency.
Do you find the outdoor tap isolation too?
Yes - if you've got an outside tap, I'll find the isolation valve for it. Important because outdoor taps can freeze and burst in winter, flooding your house. The isolation valve lets you shut just that tap off without affecting the rest of your water supply.
Is this really worth paying for?
Think of it like this: water damage from a burst pipe can cost thousands. Knowing exactly where your stopcock is and that it actually works? Priceless. Plus I label it clearly so anyone in your house can find it in a panic.
New home stopcock locate Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your new home stopcock locate job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need New home stopcock locate in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your new home stopcock locate job in Exeter today.