One essential component of your plumbing system is your stop tap, also known as a stop cock or shutoff valve. Knowing how to shut this off is an essential skill for both homeowners and renters alike.
However, what do you do if your stop tap isn’t working? In this guide, we’ll discuss why your stop tap might not be working and what you can do to resolve the issue.
How many stop taps are in your home?
Depending on the age of your home, you may have two stop taps.
One will normally be located to the closest possible point where the cold water enters your home. This is usually under the kitchen sink or in a downstairs bathroom.
If you have two, your other stop tap may be located outside the boundary of your home. It will be the responsibility of your water supplier to fix any leaks.
Why is your stop tap not stopping water flow?
If you can see water coming out of your stop tap, then the problem is likely to be either with the compression nuts or the gland nut.
If you can’t see any water, but the stop tap isn’t stopping the flow of water to your home when it is in the ‘off’ position, then it is likely to be a problem with the head gear joint.
Reasons why your stop tap isn’t turning off
There are a number of different reasons why your stop tap isn’t turning off, however, the main reasons tend to be:
Leaking compression nut
If you can see water leaking from the compression nut on either side, you may need to tighten them. To do this, hold the body of the stop tap with pliers and use a spanner to turn the compression nut in an anti-clockwise direction.
Leaking gland nut
If the leak seems to come from the stop tap, you may have a leaking gland nut. Like the compression nut, it can easily be tightened. Use a spanner to tighten the gland nut, being careful not to tighten it too much as it could prevent you from turning the stop tap.
Leaking head gear joint
A leaking head gear joint is usually the result of a broken or eroded washer. The washer is located at the base of the spindle and it is a mechanism that stops the flow of water.
What to do if your stop tap doesn’t work
If your internal stop tap isn’t working, you will need to contact a plumber to come and fix the issue for you. If there seems to be a leak or a repair made, you can check to see whether you have localised isolation valves underneath the specific area where you need to turn the water off.
Our team at Lacey Plumbing & Heating has years of experience helping our customers with all kinds of plumbing emergencies, including broken stop taps. Our local emergency plumbers specialise in a variety of different plumbing issues and can be with you as soon as possible to get you back up and running.
How do you open a stuck stop tap?
If you think your stop tap is stuck, it is important that you try not to force it open with brute force.
Instead, you should give it a gentle spray of an oil lubricant, such as WD40, and leave it to penetrate for 10 minutes and then try the handle again. Try to turn the handle both ways as this can help to loosen the seized part.
If the stop tap will still not move, you can then move onto removing the gland nut using a spanner. Once it’s unscrewed, spray more of the lubricant spray onto the spindle and allow it to sit again. If this does not work again, you can try gently tapping the handle with a hammer.
If you still can’t get it open, you will likely need to replace the stop tap.
- There is also a product that our plumbers can install for you, called a Sure Stop Tap. This is a unique stopcock that has a built in switch function, meaning that you can stop your water flow with the flick of a switch, rather than having to loosen a tight valve or reach into a tough space!
Keeping your stop tap working
Regularly testing your stop tap is one way to ensure it is in good working order, since the valves can become stiff and corroded over time. You should also be checking for any signs of damage as this can affect the water flow.
If you ever need to turn your stop tap off, make sure that when you turn it back on that you do so carefully to prevent a sudden increase in pressure. Turning the stop tap back on slowly will ensure the system gradually repressurises itself.
If you encounter any of these issues or you think your stop tap needs to be replaced due to any of the previous issues discussed above, we always suggest enlisting the help of a professional plumber. Our team is more than happy to help with any issues relating to your stop tap and you can contact us today to find out more.
Key Points:
- A sump pump is a mechanical fixture that ejects groundwater away from your property, and if it fails, it can very quickly lead to flooding.
- There are a number of different reasons why your sump pump may fail, which is why it is always important to contact an emergency plumber as soon as you notice something is wrong.
- Regular maintenance is essential for a consistent and reliable sump pump.
Why do sump pumps fail?
Sump pumps are mechanical appliances used to collect water from around your foundations and redirect it out of your property.
Sump pumps can fail for a number of different reasons, including:
- Power failure – The most common cause of sump pump failure is an electrical power outage. The best way to avoid sump pump power failure is to have a back-up battery for your sump pump.
- Valve failure – If the valve fails, the water being pumped out of the sump pit will flow back into the pit, decreasing the amount of water removed per cycle while also increasing the frequency of the cycles, which can cause the pump to fail prematurely.
- Stuck switch – Another common cause of sump pump failure is the switch becoming stuck in the on or off position, causing the pump to run continuously or not at all.
- Motor burnout – Motor failure happens when the voltage from the electricity supply increases until the pump is overheated and shuts off. This can happen when a sump pump is being overworked due to an undersized pump or poor quality parts.
- Casing failure – The casing is the protective shell that houses the sump pump motor. Breaks and cracks, failed motor bearing and debris in the impeller can all cause the casing to overheat and fail.
- Frozen pipes – Cold winter weather can cause havoc with your sump pump, causing freezing, clogging or mechanical overload.
- Old age – Sump pumps have an average life span of 10-12 years. If they are older than this then they may begin to show signs of failure, or completely fail.
What do you do when your sump pump fails?
If your sump pump fails and you notice that water has begun pooling, it is important you act quickly.
Some of the first steps you should take include:
- Unplugging all electronics
- Relocating furniture to dry areas
- Using towels and mops to soak up the water
- Open any windows and use fans or dehumidifiers if possible to draw out any moisture in the room
It is vital that water is removed and drained away from your property as soon as possible. A great way to start clearing this water is by using a hand pump, which can be lowered into the powerless sump pump and then attached to a garden hose.
The groundwater will hopefully lead away from your property and into a drain, or at least 10 metres away from your property to prevent lateral pressure leading to more flooding.
Who can help with sump pump failure?
The best help you can get for a failed sump pump is from a professional and experienced commercial plumber. At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, our team has over 18 years of experience helping to fix, install and maintain sump pumps around the Manchester area.
We know how frustrating and worrying it can be to have a failed or broken sump pump, which is why our emergency plumbers always aim to be with you as soon as possible.
How to prevent sump pump failure
There are a few different, easy methods you can use to prevent sump pump failure. We’ve created an easy to follow checklist below for you to refer to whilst you check your sump pump:
- Check for worn parts – Checking for worn parts is one of the easiest ways to prevent sump pump failure, and the sooner you find them the better, as any failed parts could be catastrophic.
- Test the pump regularly – You should be testing the pump at least once a year yourself by pouring a bucket of water slowly into the pump. If the pump doesn’t turn on once the water level reaches a predetermined level or if it does not properly discharge the water, then the pump may be broken or clogged.
- Book a sump pump service – Just like you need to have your boiler serviced, it is essential to have your sump pump serviced too. Even though you may be willing to take some preventative measures yourself, there may be faults that will need to be tackled by an expert.
- Replace the sump pump system – If you’re not sure your sump pump is in good working order, you should consult one of our sump pump specialists.
- Have a backup on hand – If your sump pump is getting old, there is no way of predicting when it will actually fail on you. However, you can avoid disaster by having a backup sump pump ready for when your current one begins to deteriorate.
How often should businesses check their sump pump?
Generally speaking, businesses should check their sump pump every 3 months to ensure everything is working as it should be.
Tests should be conducted by a professional plumber and involve the opening of the inlet screen and cleaning it out. You may even benefit from regular inspections too, especially if your sump pump is used to remove a large amount of soapy water.
Does a sump pump need to be serviced?
Yes, your sump pump should be fully inspected and serviced at least once a year, however, depending on how much use it gets, you may want to consider getting it serviced every 6 months.
Our team of highly skilled plumbers carry out careful checks, cleaning and testing during each service and we always carefully follow the manufacturer guides.
If you have a sump pump installed and you think it needs to be serviced, get in touch with our team today to see how we can help.
As a Worcester Approved Installer we have made a pledge and signed up to their ‘Safe In Your Home’ Commitment. This means we are following best practice safety measures in order to carry out installations and maintenance work.
By following the practical guidance set out by the UK Government, you, our customers, will remain protected while plumbing and heating work is completed.
This way of working begins with following the current government guidelines which is currently – STAY ALERT. This isn’t all and we have updated our processes accordingly to consider all potential risks to our customers and team.
PRE-BOOKING
All customers will be asked if anyone if the house has any symptoms of Covid-19 or if they are vulnerable, so we can assess before we go. All customers will have the process of how we are currently working explained to them.
AT YOUR PROPERTY
Our engineers will call you from outside your property so that you can open the door for our team. Our engineers will be wearing appropriate PPE as they would at any site. They are not obliged to wear a face mask in a domestic property but we have supplied them if an engineer feels that they would prefer to wear one.
Our engineers will wash their hands on arrival at the property, carry out the work/diagnosis, and then clear up their work area with disinfectant paying particular attention to areas that they might have touched – such as door handles.
If they need to talk to a customer they will either do this outside, at a distance inside or from their mobile phone while the customer is in another room. It’s entirely up to you and what you feel most comfortable doing.
If you are shielding or are still unsure about having engineers in your house, we’re continuing to offer video calls. During a call we can provide contactless advice over the phone if you have any questions about a potential emergency repair, including leaks and breakdowns. And as an added bonus you’ll get face time with the famous Most Wanted Plumbers!
If a video call isn’t an option for you, we’re also here at the end of the phone line and you can email photos to us, so that we can review them in a similar way.
All Lacey Plumbing and Heating Ltd quotations are free, so contact us today on 0161 884 1108.
We’re currently working through our boiler servicing backlog so if you’ve not heard from us please do get in touch.
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Unfortunately no matter what time of year it is a boiler can break down, which forces you to think about the cost of trying to repair a boiler compared to the installation of a new one.
This week, one of our customers had to make this exact choice and although the weather is mild right now, the prospect of being without any heating or hot water was concerning.
Even more so at the moment during the Covid-19 Crisis, when we all need a reliable boiler for access to hot water so we can quickly shower after we’ve been to the supermarket or get home after working in a front line or key worker role. For this particular Lacey’s customer it made sense to have the peace of mind that came with a new boiler installation, rather than risking multiple boiler part changes and heating engineer visits. It was also unlikely to have been cost effective to have a repair carried out, given the age of this customer’s existing boiler.
The installation of choice was a Worcester 8000 Life 30kw system boiler with a Worcester Greenstar system filter and a Gledhill Unvented cylinder. The customer who lives in Unsworth, Bury, already had this type of system set up and opted to stay with the same brand but with modern products.
The benefits of this type of Worcester system is the supply of hot water from the unvented cylinder. For instance, if the central heating side of the system stopped working you would still have hot water and vice versa. Although with a brand new boiler installation it’s unlikely to suffer a breakdown any time soon!
This installation benefitted from a 12 year manufacturer’s guarantee with Worcester Bosch for parts and labour; that’s complete peace of mind until 2032! Since Lacey Plumbing & Heating is a Worcester Accredited Installer we’re part of a network of approved installers who can provide these exclusive guarantees.
We’re chuffed to bits to have another very happy Lacey’s customer who had a quality installation and complete peace of mind for their heating and hot water.
To comply with social distancing we now offer boiler surveys by video call and photographs. We’re also following all government guidelines, by physically distancing ourselves from customers and using the correct PPE. Our team is carrying out thorough hand washing, using sanitizing hand gel and are wearing face masks and gloves. On arrival to all emergency home visits, we call from outside and customers are asked to stay at a safe and suitable distance.
If you’ve suffered a boiler breakdown or are looking to replace your boiler before it breaks down then contact us to discuss how Lacey’s Most Wanted team can help you at this time.
This week we were delighted to be able to restore hot water and heating to one of our amazing frontline staff’s homes. We are currently continuing to provide emergency plumbing repairs and work to homes that need it, so it was great to be at the forefront of this local key-worker’s mind in her time of need.
We carried out a new combination boiler swap for an NHS midwife – her boiler had broken down and it wasn’t cost effective to repair it due to the model of boiler and its age.
The customer needed to be able to shower before and after her long hospital shifts to keep herself and her family as safe as possible during the current crisis. Thankfully our Most Wanted team were able to come to the rescue and sort a fix within less than 24 hours.
Our engineer arrived on site first thing in the morning and the new combination boiler was fitted the same day. Of course we provided a service that adheres to current government social distancing guidelines and as we always do, we cleaned up after ourselves. We left the customer with a fully functioning boiler.
The boiler that we installed was a Worcester 30i combination boiler with a Worcester Greenstar system filter. This brilliant boiler comes with a 10 year guarantee, since Lacey Plumbing and Heating Ltd is a Worcester Accredited Installers.
Following the installation, our office team will register the boiler warranty with Worcester Bosch and the installation with Gas Safe. Given that this customer work was carried out at a rental property, a landlord gas safety certificate was also issued as part of the installation.
We received a follow up message from the customer which we were extremely chuffed to read! The midwife wrote: “I just want to say thank you – the engineer was a true hero today.” Well to us this is just the job we do and as an NHS worker, she is the true hero!
If you’re looking for a new boiler installation from a friendly team that truly cares then give us a call today – 0161 884 1110. Our office may be closed but we are still here to help and calls are being diverted so we can still chat with you from home.
You can also email us on office@laceyplumbing.co.uk or complete the ‘contact us’ form right here on the website. We look forward to helping you in the near future.
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We’re over two weeks into lockdown and a very strange time indeed it is for all of us. The country and most businesses have completely ground to a halt. But we are well aware that plumbing and heating issues do still of course happen, regardless of lockdown.
So what happens if you have an emergency leak or breakdown? Are we still able to attend your property and make necessary repairs? We currently can only attend your house to carry out emergency plumbing, heating or gas work such as no heating or hot water or a major leak of water or gas. To do this will must follow current guidelines on social distancing.
If you need us call us on 0161 884 1109 as normal and someone will be in touch.
Even though things are a little different it doesn’t mean we can’t plan in work for the future for once the lockdown is lifted. We can offer advice over the phone if you have any questions about a potential emergency repair, including leaks and breakdowns.
To do this we are offering video appointments via WhatsApp and providing video quotes. We can video call you at a time and day that’s convenient to you and chat to you about your requirements, see your house and assess any potential issues, with zero risk. We know this is a new way of working for many people but it’s actually really effective and is proving very popular!
If a video call isn’t an option for you, we are still here at the end of the phone line and you can email photos to us so we can review them in a similar way.
All Lacey Plumbing and Heating Ltd quotations are free, so contact us today on 0161 884 1109 – we’re here and happy to help.
If you have any concerns around Service Plans or boiler servicing, then do get in touch, as we are creating a list of priority jobs for when we are able to reopen.
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