Stopcock location and label in Exeter
Professional stopcock location and label services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-20 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Don't know where your stopcock is? I'll find it, test it works, and label it clearly. Essential for emergencies - know exactly where to turn the water off.
Before The Next Emergency
Pop quiz: Where's your stopcock?
If you're standing there thinking "Um... under the kitchen sink? Maybe? Or is it in the cupboard under the stairs?" - you're like 90% of homeowners.
Now imagine a burst pipe at 11pm on a Sunday. Water everywhere. Clock ticking. Can you find your stopcock right now in the dark while panicking?
💡 Pro tip: Even if you know where your stopcock is, when did you last test it? Stopcocks can seize up from never being used - discover that during an emergency and you're calling the water company to shut it off at the street.
Why This Matters
| ✅ Labelled & Tested | ❌ Unknown Location |
|---|---|
| Shut water off in seconds | Hunting around while water pours out |
| Know it definitely works | Find it seized shut when you need it |
| Anyone can find it | Only you know (maybe) |
| Peace of mind | Worry in the back of your mind |
What I'll Do
🔧 Complete Service
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find your stopcock (inside and outside if needed) |
| Test | Turn it off and on to make sure it works |
| Label | Clear label showing what it is and which way to turn |
| Advise | If it's seized, leaking, or needs fixing - I'll tell you |
📦 You'll Know
- Exactly where your stopcock is
- That it actually works when turned
- Which way is "off" (not as obvious as you'd think!)
- How to access it quickly
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Locate, test, and label | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Inside and outside stopcocks | 20-25 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum for first hour. Label included.
Common Situations
✅ New house - haven't got a clue where it is
✅ Old house - it's hidden somewhere weird
✅ For elderly relatives - make sure they can find and use it
✅ Rental property - tenants need to know where it is
✅ Before going on holiday - test it works in case plumber needs it
Why Choose Us for Stopcock location and label in Exeter?
Know exactly where it is
Tested to make sure it works
Clearly labelled for emergencies
Free the trapped meter reader!
What to Expect
Step 1: Hunt It Down
I'll find your stopcock - checking all the usual hiding spots and some unusual ones. Under sinks, in cupboards, sometimes even outside.
Step 2: Test Operation
Turn it off (slowly - sudden closure can cause water hammer), then back on. Make sure it turns freely and actually stops the water.
Step 3: Label Clearly
Fit a proper label so anyone can find it and know which way to turn it in an emergency. Job sorted.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to find and test it yourself? Here's how:
🔍 Common hiding places
- Under kitchen sink - most common location
- Downstairs cupboard - often under stairs
- Garage or utility room - near where mains enters house
- Outside - covered box at your boundary (water company's stopcock)
- Weird spots in old houses - behind bath panel, buried under floor, in random cupboards
🔧 Finding it
- Trace your incoming water main from outside
- It enters the house somewhere - look where it comes in
- Stopcock should be near that entry point (but not always)
- Look for a round tap handle or lever, usually low down
- In old Exeter houses - anywhere is possible!
🛠️ Testing it
- Turn tap on somewhere (so you know when water stops)
- Find your stopcock
- Turn it SLOWLY clockwise (righty-tighty) until fully closed
- Tap should stop flowing
- Turn anti-clockwise to reopen
- If it won't turn easily - don't force it, it might be seized
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Turning it too fast (causes water hammer - loud bang, can damage pipes)
- Forcing a seized stopcock (can snap it - now you've got a leak and no shutoff)
- Not testing it until there's an emergency
- Assuming everyone in the house knows where it is
💡 Pro trick: Put a strip of bright tape on the cupboard door or cover where your stopcock is. In an emergency you'll find it instantly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Stopcock seized? Common in houses where it's never turned. Needs careful freeing with penetrating oil and patience, or replacement if it's beyond saving. I'll advise.
Leaks when you turn it? Gland needs tightening or washer needs replacing. I can fix that while I'm there.
Can't access it? Sometimes stopcocks get buried behind fitted furniture or under floors. Worth sorting out proper access - no good in an emergency if you need a toolkit to reach it.
Rental property? Legally, tenants should know where utilities are. I can locate and label all of them - stopcock, gas meter, electric meter, consumer unit. One visit, all sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find my stopcock?
They hide in the most awkward places - under kitchen sinks behind all your cleaning products, in cupboards you never open, outside under a cover that's buried in mud. Older houses especially - they're often hidden or covered over during renovations.
What do you do to label it?
I'll test it works, make sure you can access it easily, then fit a clear label so anyone (including you in five years) knows exactly what it is and which way to turn it. Simple but effective.
What if the stopcock is seized or leaking?
I'll let you know. If it's seized and won't turn, it needs freeing or replacing - no point labelling something that doesn't work. If it's weeping when you turn it, same deal - needs fixing. I'll advise on what's needed.
Is this worth doing?
Absolutely. When you've got water pissing out of a burst pipe, you need to know EXACTLY where your stopcock is and that it actually works. Finding out it's seized shut or you can't remember where it is - that's when panic sets in.
Can you do the outside stopcock too?
Yes - you should have one inside (your responsibility) and one outside at the boundary (water company's). I'll locate and label both if you like. The outside one needs a special key to turn.
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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!
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