But, Martin Lewis shared some tips in 2024 to help you find “the off switch” if you need to stop your water.
Martin Lewis explained on the website: “A stopcock is your mains water tap (the off switch). Everyone should know where theirs is, especially at this time of year when pipes can burst due to frost.
“If you don’t know where yours is, your house could be flooded with water everywhere, while you have no idea how to stop it.”
Who is Martin Lewis?
Money Saving Expert took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to explain that the damage can cost a lot of money: “Burst frozen pipes create on average £9,000+ of damage, so before winter hits, it’s good to know how to turn your water off should you need to.”
How to find your stopcock
Martin Lewis said his stopcock is located under the kitchen sink in his house, but explained that some homeowners will find theirs outside.
You can find out more about how to locate an outdoor valve via the Thames Water website.
Do you know where your stopcock is?
Burst frozen pipes create on average £9,000+ of damage, so before winter hits, it’s good to know how to turn your water off should you need to. ❄️
Here’s how to find yours: https://t.co/KsfYNUcOJh pic.twitter.com/UTjpy3QNGA
— MoneySavingExpert (@MoneySavingExp) October 20, 2024
How to check your stopcock still works
The Money Saving Expert website shares some tips from homeowners who have checked that their stopcocks still work.
It’s important to turn a stopcock “a couple of times a year to minimise ‘seizing’ due to scale.” Avoid opening a stopcock fully as “they’re more likely to jam”.
You could make sure to always check your stopcock on a set day each year, so you know it is always checked.
You should “insulate outdoor taps” to help avoid pipes exploding.
Make sure to “turn the stopcock valve clockwise” when turning it off, B&Q says.
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It adds: “Always turn your stopcock slowly to prevent any damage. If your stopcock is stuck, don’t attempt to force it open.
“Once you’ve turned off your stopcock, water from your mains supply won’t flow into your plumbing system, but water will remain in your internal pipework. If you want to work on a fixture such as a tap, you’ll need to turn it on to drain any remaining water.”
One person recommended fitting a “Surestop” so you can turn the water off “with just a press of a button”.
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Another said: “Don’t just locate it, check that it still turns – mine required use of pliers to get it moving.”
One warned: “Modern stopcocks are a large on/off switch sited on the incoming main water supply – DO NOT TURN IT.”
Finally, Martin Lewis recommended calling a plumber now “before you have a problem” if your stopcock isn’t working.
