I'd have said no! Still, it shouldn't take to long to drain the hot water
down. I've always found those gatevalves a bit unreliable although they are
cheap! I've replaced mine with those ball valves I think they're called
(like the washing machine taps) which seem a lot more reliable. They also
completely shut the water off whereas the gatevalves have a tendency to
dribble a bit.
"Pete" wrote in message
...
I've just turned off the hot water at the stopcock in the airing
cupboard (one of those red-wheel jobs.

Something has broken, and it won't turn back on again.

I've removed the wheel, and the centre stem is just turning endlessly
without pulling the shutter (don't know the right terms!) back and
openening the pipe.

No hot water tonight is going to be popular. Is there a way forward
without draining the whole system down?

TIA

Pete