UK households urged to check stop taps as clocks fall back

Households across the UK are being urged to check their stop tap as the clocks fall back on Sunday 25 October. A survey by WaterSafe Register found that 14% of people nationally do not know where their stop tap is.

Northern Ireland has the highest proportion who do not know where their stop tap is, at 21%. The East of England, North East and West Midlands have the lowest proportions, each at 12%. 

Across all respondents, there was also a stark age divide: 37% of 18 to 24-year-olds do not know where their stop tap is, compared with just 6% of people aged 65 and over.

The internal stop tap is the first line of defence against plumbing emergencies. Turning off the mains water supply can help prevent property damage and costly repairs if a pipe leaks or bursts.

Stop taps, also known as stop cocks or stop valves, are often found under the kitchen sink, or in downstairs bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, garages, cellars and under the stairs.

WaterSafe Register advises people to make sure they can operate their property’s stop tap every six months by gently turning it off and back on again.

Jonathan Samuel, Director of WaterSafe Register, said: “Testing your stop tap is something we should all do regularly, around every six months. It’s easy to forget when you last did it, so the clocks changing can serve as a handy reminder.

“We’re urging households to check their stop taps on Sunday 25 October when clocks are turned back - and to test them again when clocks go forward in spring.

“Doing this regularly will provide reassurance that you could turn your water supply off in an emergency.”

Lever-type valves should be left fully open, while screw-down stop taps should be turned back half a turn after fully opening, to prevent seizing.

If the stop tap is difficult to turn or does not move at all, contact a WaterSafe-registered plumber for advice. Thousands of registered plumbers and drinking water contractors are listed at www.watersafe.org.uk.