How to Fix a Leaking Stop Cock

With the right tools, you could be able to fix a leaking stop cock yourself. Be prepared to call in a local plumber if you have any doubt though.

How to Fix a Leaking Stop Cock

A stopcock controls the supply of mains water in your home. The tap is left on, so water can enter as you need it. The stopcock also lets you shut off the whole supply in an emergency.

There are usually two stopcocks: One outside your property, under a drain cover, which is the water company’s responsibility and a second inside that can be found where the mains water pipe enters the building. This is often beneath the kitchen sink, under the stairs or a downstairs toilet. When this stopcock leaks, it’s your responsibility.

Fixing a leaking stopcock

A stopcock is made of three parts:

• Compression nuts that join the tap to the water pipes.
• Gland nut directly below the tap.
• Head gear joint – the main body of the tap.

If you have a leaking stopcock, it’s essential to get it fixed immediately.

Firstly, check the leak is definitely coming from the stop cock and which part it is coming from. If it’s leaking from a nut, you’ll see water dripping. If it’s the head gear joint, you won’t see it leaking but you may notice water still comes through the taps if you turn the stopcock off.

Leaking compression nut

If a compression nut is leaking, you can try tightening it with a suitable spanner.

Leaking gland nut

The gland nut is directly below the top of the stop cock. A leaking gland nut can sometimes be fixed by tightening it. But not too much as that will affect the stopcock’s ability to open and close.

Leaking head gear joint

If you close the stopcock and water still comes through, it is probably because the washer inside has worn out.

If these fixes don’t fix your leaking stop cock, call a local plumber such as ourselves at L&W Heating and Plumbing Services for help.

L&W Heating and Plumbing

If you need to call on a Gas Safe registered plumber call L&W Heating and Plumbing experts Warrington on:-

Plumbers Wigan 01942 417220
Plumbers St Helens 01744 776140
Plumbers Newton Le Willows 01925 394260
Plumbers Warrington 01925 394260
Plumbers Runcorn 01925 394260
Plumbers Widnes 01925 394260