Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

"Stephen" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Taking into account the cost of getting a new house, the extra couple of
quid for your preferred Pegler doesn't matter.
OTOH throw caution to the wind and save a couple of quid.

On 17/06/2015 15:14, Richard wrote:
"Stephen" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Taking into account the cost of getting a new house, the extra couple of
quid for your preferred Pegler doesn't matter.
OTOH throw caution to the wind and save a couple of quid.

I think plumbers tend to use the street stopcock if they can. Less risk
of unforeseen cans of worms

In article ,
Stephen wrote:
I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Tried a squirt of lubricant?

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

--
*Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
stuart noble wrote:
On 17/06/2015 15:14, Richard wrote:
"Stephen" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Taking into account the cost of getting a new house, the extra couple of
quid for your preferred Pegler doesn't matter.
OTOH throw caution to the wind and save a couple of quid.

I think plumbers tend to use the street stopcock if they can. Less risk
of unforeseen cans of worms

That's fine when your street stopcock location is known an not under a
coating of tarmac. Mine's now a plastic one beside the meter - the previous
one was in the road.

--
Please note new email address:

After serious thinking Stephen wrote :
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Don't they make a quarter turn ball type?

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

In article ,
Chris Hogg wrote:
Out of interest, how will you go about replacing it without flooding
the place, or is it just a matter of speed?

You turn off the one in the street. And that can be stiff. ;-)

--
*Caution: I drive like you do.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 17/06/2015 16:52, Chris Hogg wrote:

Out of interest, how will you go about replacing it without flooding
the place, or is it just a matter of speed?


Oh no, please! My blood runs cold at the thought.

I had a builder in one of my flats. I helped him freeze the pipe so he
could change a tap. No problem, job done.

Except that he had made up a length of piping with a new stop cock on
it. I said not to bother as the only way to fix it was to turn off the
water to the entire block. I was more specific: I said no. Absolutely no!

Next I heard, he had had a go anyway. Apparently, he almost drowned.

He did get the new fitting on. Sort of. Except that the water pressure
had forced off an essential washer. So, it was leaking heavily.
Eventually, he persuaded the water company to turn off the water to the
whole block. They had to dig up the pavement, as the stop cock had been
paved over.

I am more sanguine about the time my wife flooded an hotel.

On 17/06/2015 15:09, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!nitely

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Definitely worth the extra for the Pegler, i've just had to have a
standard one replaced (due to weeping through the spindle) after only 15
years and not a lot of use.

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

GB wrote:
On 17/06/2015 16:52, Chris Hogg wrote:

Out of interest, how will you go about replacing it without flooding
the place, or is it just a matter of speed?


Oh no, please! My blood runs cold at the thought.

I had a builder in one of my flats. I helped him freeze the pipe so he
could change a tap. No problem, job done.

Except that he had made up a length of piping with a new stop cock on it.
I said not to bother as the only way to fix it was to turn off the water
to the entire block. I was more specific: I said no. Absolutely no!

Next I heard, he had had a go anyway. Apparently, he almost drowned.

He did get the new fitting on. Sort of. Except that the water pressure
had forced off an essential washer. So, it was leaking heavily.
Eventually, he persuaded the water company to turn off the water to the
whole block. They had to dig up the pavement, as the stop cock had been paved over.

I am more sanguine about the time my wife flooded an hotel.

I've installed a stopcock "live" so to speak. The trick is to accept that
there will be some mess whist cutting the pipe but if you're reasonable
quick, it's not too bad. You can minimise the mess by using a quickcut
under a towel with a basin beneath. Also, you should have your new stopcock
made up with a length of hose leading to a drain somewhere and with the
valve full open. Then even if you've used conventional compression
fittings, you can tighten it up in a leisurely fashion whilst the water is
passing freely through to the drain. Push-fit fittings make the job even
easier.

Of course if you have a very high pressure supply all bets are off. ;-)

Tim

GB wrote:
Next I heard, he had had a go anyway. Apparently, he almost drowned.

Years ago I was tidying up the mess of pipes behind my shop. I moved
something and a length of capped-off pipe from the flat upstairs
dropped out of the ceiling leaving hot water gushing out. Of course,
I immediately put my thumb over the end to stop it and then as I
was effectively glued to the spot decided to follow this up by
hammering the pipe flat to seal it. I still have a nice circular
scar on my thumb.

jgh

On 17/06/15 15:09, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Never replace a stiff cock.



--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

"Tim+" wrote in message
...

I've installed a stopcock "live" so to speak. The trick is to accept that
there will be some mess whist cutting the pipe but if you're reasonable
quick, it's not too bad. You can minimise the mess by using a quickcut
under a towel with a basin beneath. Also, you should have your new stopcock
made up with a length of hose leading to a drain somewhere and with the
valve full open. Then even if you've used conventional compression
fittings, you can tighten it up in a leisurely fashion whilst the water is
passing freely through to the drain. Push-fit fittings make the job even
easier.

Of course if you have a very high pressure supply all bets are off. ;-)

Tim

Thanks for that. As obviously (once you've thought about it) once the stop
cock is closed - the only water you need worry about is any water already
in the system. Most of which can be trapped in a hose, leading to a drain.
(Quite how I worked that out from what you actually posted would take too
long to explain).

In my case the stopcock is a bit hard to turn, but rather than even think of
replacing it, are there any problems in adding a second stopcock further
along and leaving the stiff one permanently open ?

So basically close the existing stopcock. Try to loosen the outlet on the
stopcock - just to be sure it will move before going any further. If it does then
cut the outlet pipe say a foot away, hosing off any water in the system.
Disconnect this outlet stub from the stopcock. Cut a length of pipe to fit with
the new stopcock at the top and reconnect to the old stopcock and the
inflow pipe.

Are there any reasons why this won't work ?


michael adams

....







..

On 17/06/15 15:09, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?


Pegler - you don't want to be cheap with the stop cock.

I have Pegler full bore valves in my house and none have let me down yet.

On 17/06/15 16:52, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:09:17 +0100, Stephen
wrote:

Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Out of interest, how will you go about replacing it without flooding
the place, or is it just a matter of speed?


Turn of the street stop cock

If that does not work call the water company - they will fix that for
free (did mine).

On 17/06/2015 18:16, michael adams wrote:

In my case the stopcock is a bit hard to turn, but rather than even think of
replacing it, are there any problems in adding a second stopcock further
along and leaving the stiff one permanently open ?

No. I've seen this done quite a few times.

Of course, if it does turn, it will probably ease up with use.

"GB" wrote in message ...
On 17/06/2015 18:16, michael adams wrote:

In my case the stopcock is a bit hard to turn, but rather than even think of
replacing it, are there any problems in adding a second stopcock further
along and leaving the stiff one permanently open ?

No. I've seen this done quite a few times.

Of course, if it does turn, it will probably ease up with use.

Thanks. The problem is that it's been there for around 30
odd years now, and its only turned on and off once a year at
the most. Plus its in a fairly inaccessible position.
Its been WD40'd a couple of times down the years as well
Basically every time its turned on and off I get the feeling
I'm pushing my luck.

michael adams

....

In article ,
charles writes:
In article ,
stuart noble wrote:
On 17/06/2015 15:14, Richard wrote:
"Stephen" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Taking into account the cost of getting a new house, the extra couple of
quid for your preferred Pegler doesn't matter.
OTOH throw caution to the wind and save a couple of quid.

I think plumbers tend to use the street stopcock if they can. Less risk
of unforeseen cans of worms

and it's someone else's problem if it breaks.

That's fine when your street stopcock location is known an not under a
coating of tarmac.

and doesn't turn off your neighbours too.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

In article ,
"michael adams" writes:

"GB" wrote in message ...
On 17/06/2015 18:16, michael adams wrote:

In my case the stopcock is a bit hard to turn, but rather than even think of
replacing it, are there any problems in adding a second stopcock further
along and leaving the stiff one permanently open ?

No. I've seen this done quite a few times.

Of course, if it does turn, it will probably ease up with use.

Thanks. The problem is that it's been there for around 30
odd years now, and its only turned on and off once a year at
the most. Plus its in a fairly inaccessible position.
Its been WD40'd a couple of times down the years as well
Basically every time its turned on and off I get the feeling
I'm pushing my luck.

You could try slackening off the stuffing box a little.
If that makes the valve stem leak, then you'll have to
tighten it back up.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On 17 Jun 2015, grunted:

Years ago I was tidying up the mess of pipes behind my shop. I moved
something and a length of capped-off pipe from the flat upstairs
dropped out of the ceiling leaving hot water gushing out. Of course,
I immediately put my thumb over the end to stop it and then as I
was effectively glued to the spot decided to follow this up by
hammering the pipe flat to seal it. I still have a nice circular
scar on my thumb.

Should've removed your thumb *before* you started hammering...


--
David

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"michael adams" writes:

"GB" wrote in message ...
On 17/06/2015 18:16, michael adams wrote:

In my case the stopcock is a bit hard to turn, but rather than even think of
replacing it, are there any problems in adding a second stopcock further
along and leaving the stiff one permanently open ?

No. I've seen this done quite a few times.

Of course, if it does turn, it will probably ease up with use.

Thanks. The problem is that it's been there for around 30
odd years now, and its only turned on and off once a year at
the most. Plus its in a fairly inaccessible position.
Its been WD40'd a couple of times down the years as well
Basically every time its turned on and off I get the feeling
I'm pushing my luck.

You could try slackening off the stuffing box a little.
If that makes the valve stem leak, then you'll have to
tighten it back up.


Thanks for that tip. Having googled it, there's a youtube
video on how to stop weeping on an outside tap which I have
slightly, by tightening up that nut. The stopcock is in a
really inaccessible place as the former kitchen is now a living
room so furniture has to be moved about. So if I can't turn it
off when going away I might leave it and give that a go when
I come back.

michael adams

....

On Wednesday, 17 June 2015 15:09:23 UTC+1, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

The main thing is to make sure it's non-dezincifiable, ie made of bronze not brass.
Mains water leaches the zinc from brass leaving behind a weak spongy mass of copper.

Old valve can be dismantled and overhauled.
Clean up the valve stem and seat, renew washer (if there is one) repack the stem stuffing gland.
Probably be in near perfect condition.
Many new valves are total **** so worthwhile exercise.

Mine is almost stuckI'd imagine its mainly lime scale.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Stephen" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 18:46:09 +0100, Tim Watts
wrote:

Pegler - you don't want to be cheap with the stop cock.

I have Pegler full bore valves in my house and none have let me down yet.

Thank you, I will get the pegler. Are there any other quality brands
to look out for? I saw the pegler in screwfix but I'm wondering what
bes sell?

On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:23:45 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

Tried a squirt of lubricant?

No, i hadn't thought of this. What do you use 3-in1? Where do you
apply it?

On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:52:01 +0100, Chris Hogg wrote:

Out of interest, how will you go about replacing it without flooding
the place, or is it just a matter of speed?

I was going to use the one in the street to isolate the house first. I
found that ready for emergencies too!

On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:34:14 +0100, Tim+
wrote:

You can minimise the mess by using a quickcut
under a towel with a basin beneath. Also, you should have your new stopcock
made up with a length of hose leading to a drain somewhere and with the
valve full open. Then even if you've used conventional compression
fittings, you can tighten it up in a leisurely fashion whilst the water is
passing freely through to the drain.

That's a really good idea. I was going to switch off in the street
first but it's worth remembering this approach for times when that
isn't possible.

In article ,
Stephen wrote:
Tried a squirt of lubricant?

No, i hadn't thought of this. What do you use 3-in1? Where do you
apply it?

A standard stopcock usually has a gland on the spindle to stop leaks from
that. They can often be unscrewed and the seal or packing material removed
allowing access to the main thread.

--
Small asylum seeker wanted as mud flap, must be flexible and willing to travel

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 17/06/2015 15:09, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I found the stop cock in my new house, so I am ready for emergencies!

It is a bit stiff and I wondered about replacing it.

Are all makes the same, or is it worth paying extra for Pegler?
screwfixx prices are about £5 for no name make and £7 for Pegler. I
always get Pegler washing machine taps as I find the others weep but
for stop cocks would I see a difference?

Thanks,
Stephen.

I have a Peglar full bore lever type ball valve as a backup to my
internal stop cock, and that's the one I usually use for a temporary
shut-off (also family are trained in its use). Similarly for gas, inside
the house rather than in a locked external meter box.

Stephen wrote:
On Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:34:14 +0100, Tim+
wrote:

You can minimise the mess by using a quickcut
under a towel with a basin beneath. Also, you should have your new stopcock
made up with a length of hose leading to a drain somewhere and with the
valve full open. Then even if you've used conventional compression
fittings, you can tighten it up in a leisurely fashion whilst the water is
passing freely through to the drain.

That's a really good idea. I was going to switch off in the street
first but it's worth remembering this approach for times when that
isn't possible.

We did it for a leak in a basement incoming main where the street stopcock
was inaccessible. I think if we could have waited the water company would
have sorted the access to the external stopcock but we didn't have time.

Tim