Stopcock Replacement in Esher
A homeowner in Esher tried to turn off their water supply to fix a dripping tap and found the stopcock was completely seized. It would not turn in either direction. The homeowner n...
Response time
1 hour
Time on site
1.5 hours
Cost range
£155
Warranty
12 months
The Problem
A homeowner in Esher tried to turn off their water supply to fix a dripping tap and found the stopcock was completely seized. It would not turn in either direction. The homeowner needed the water isolated urgently to carry out a tap repair and was unable to do so.
The stopcock was the original fitting from when the house was built in the 1980s and had never been exercised in 40 years. It was located under the kitchen sink in a difficult-to-reach position.
The Diagnosis
We confirmed the stopcock was seized solid — the handle would not turn at all. We applied penetrating oil and attempted to free it with gentle force, but the internal components were fused with limescale and corrosion. The stopcock needed to be replaced.
To replace the stopcock, we needed to isolate the water at the external meter stop — the homeowner did not know where this was. We located the water meter at the boundary and used a meter key to isolate the supply externally.
The Repair
With the supply isolated at the meter, we cut out the old seized stopcock and replaced it with a new full-bore lever ball valve — a superior replacement that is easier to operate and less prone to seizing. The connection was made with a compression fitting.
The supply was restored from the external meter and the new valve was tested for leaks. The old tap was then repaired, and the homeowner was shown how to operate the new lever valve — a quarter turn between fully open and fully closed.
Isolated supply at external water meter
Cut out seized stopcock and fitted new full-bore lever valve
Restored supply and tested for leaks
Outcome & Advice to the Homeowner
The homeowner now had a fully functioning stopcock that could be operated easily — a quarter turn of the lever handle was all that was needed. The dripping tap was also repaired in the same visit.
We recommended exercising the new valve every few months by turning it closed and then open again, to prevent it from seizing in the future. We also gave the homeowner a meter key so they could isolate externally in an emergency.
Job Summary
More Case Studies & Services
Request Your Free Quote
Describe your plumbing issue and we'll get back to you with a free, no-obligation quote — usually within hours.