Bournemouth area - roadside stop cock / water meter key?

[Ric_01]

OP,
Thanks for the pics.
Why not post a pic of the external cover?
Am I right in thinking that the incoming mains water is going up to the stop-tap?
Are you sure that nothing has been Tee'd off the incoming mains before it enters the sink unit?
When the external isolator is closed then remove & replace the compression internal stop-tap.
The general layout of the sink unit plumbing is poor.

The sink unit was here when I arrived 10 years ago - today's plumber verified that that is indeed the main isolating tap, it will eventually be replaced.

 

[mattylad]

Surely a local plumber will have a key for the outside stopcock.
Why not ask them when arranging for them to come visit and discount anyone that says they do not or will have to call out the water co.

 

[denso13]

Stop cock keys and the tool to turn the water off at a METER are totally different. Half a dozen patterns of underground stopcock only need 2-3 keys.

Not that I've come across, they've either been quarter turn or fully closing levers where a normal valve/stopcock key works just fine. To be fair I haven't seen loads as we don't really have them round here.

 

[denso13]

Thanks, please refer to the starting post above.

You mentioned that plumbers tend to go straight to the outside meter to turn it off when required.

If they can do it then just leave it to them. If they can't then I don't think anyone here can second guess what is required. If that's the case get your water authority back out and see what they do/use, then get something similar and keep it handy in case you ever need it in an emergency yourself.

 

[Ric_01]

Thanks. I'm with Homeserve - they simply do not possess those keys. I asked them why, & they said 'Because they are Bournemouth keys, not HS keys'

Recently, I called out an independent plumber in an emergency, he had the proper key, long slender silver one, with T top. That meter point had been used so many times, it was working loose, the plumber had difficulty turning the water back on, from it. This was 3am in the morning, by torchlight, in the road. I complained to Bournemouth, they sent a man round who started fitting new screws into the meter, I said it should be replaced, he said they won't because it's too expensive.

Neither HS nor the plumber could locate / activate the sink stop-cock. This has been going on for 10 years.

Now, that water meter was not here when I moved in, Bournemouth Water fitted it about 5 years ago, they just turned up in their van & fitted it, don't remember much about it, it was fitted very quickly indeed. They did *not* leave me a T key for it. I just spoke to my neighbour, who's a builder, he has never had a key for his water meter either.

I'm still working on this.

 

[Ric_01]

You mentioned that plumbers tend to go straight to the outside meter to turn it off when required.

If they can do it then just leave it to them. If they can't then I don't think anyone here can second guess what is required. If that's the case get your water authority back out and see what they do/use, then get something similar and keep it handy in case you ever need it in an emergency yourself.

Thanks. This is ridiculous, but, if I have to call Bournemouth out again (likely) I will ask if I can measure & photograph that T key. Them I can take the photo to a plumber's merchant & get them to ID it. Then I can source one.

Omg, & we are supposed to survive a nuclear strike.

 

[denso13]

Recently, I called out an independent plumber in an emergency, he had the proper key, long slender silver one, with T top.

Not being funny, but do you have their contact details? Perhaps you can source one like his?

 

[Ric_01]

It's possible, but he was very tight-lipped about how he sorted the air-lock, which is understandable, 'trade secrets' & so forth.

 

[Ric_01]

This looks good

https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-universal-stopcock-key-920mm/71652

 

[Ric_01]

OP,
Thanks for the pics.
Why not post a pic of the external cover?
Am I right in thinking that the incoming mains water is going up to the stop-tap?
Are you sure that nothing has been Tee'd off the incoming mains before it enters the sink unit?
When the external isolator is closed then remove & replace the compression internal stop-tap.
The general layout of the sink unit plumbing is poor.

 

[Ric_01]

Any idea what tool opens this please?

Thanks

 

[Ric_01]

Bournemouth asked me to open this a couple of days ago, & look inside. What am I supposed to open it with?

 

[Old Salt]

30 years ago I could have had someone come round and do it for you, give you a key and read your meter. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who is still there.

 

[denso13]

What am I supposed to open it with?

No idea where you'd get one, maybe knock a screwdriver round with a hammer to unscrew it.

 

[polesapart]

Get your friendly independent plumber to replace the internal stopcock...and follow him out to the street when he goes to turn the water off!