How to find and turn off your stopcock

Where to look

The internal stopcock is often under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs cloakroom, in a utility cupboard, or near where the mains enters the building. In flats it may be in a communal cupboard — check your lease information. External stopcocks in the footway are usually for the water company or meter reading; prioritise the internal valve in a domestic emergency.

How to shut it off

1. Turn the handle clockwise to close (righty-tighty for most gate and lever adaptations — lever valves often turn a quarter-turn across the pipe).
2. Open a sink tap on a floor above to relieve pressure and confirm flow has stopped.
3. If the valve will not move, do not force it with heavy tools — you may snap the spindle.

Safety notes

• Seized stopcocks are common in older homes; forcing them can cause an uncontrolled leak.
• After plumbing work, reopen slowly and check for drips.
• Label the stopcock once found so everyone in the household can find it.

When to call a professional

If the stopcock is seized, leaks when operated, or you cannot find it during an active leak, call an emergency plumber and ask about stopcock replacement. For burst pipe steps, read what to do when a pipe bursts. Derby priority line: 01332 314146.