What is a stopcock and where is it located?

A stopcock is a valve for turning off and on the cold water system in your home. When you turn the stopcock in a clockwise direction the water supply will be shut off.

You can turn the water supply back on by turning the stopcock in an anti-clockwise direction.

Stopcocks are usually found in your kitchen, below the sink unit. In some houses the stopcock is found in a front or back hall.

In a flat the stopcock may be in a communal hallway.

There is also a main stop cock outside in the pavement which is owned by the local water company and can only be controlled by the company, not by an individual.