Oh God! Cold water stop tap - help please

[pikaluk]

I just tried to turn off the cold water supply by turning the incredibly stiff stop tap in my house. The water decreased in flow to a fair degree but the tap was very very stiff! Just as I thought I was getting somewhere (and with the final turn of the tap - using a wrench), the water came rushing through the tap at a much increased rate.

Now I don't know what to do - should I keep turning - I'm afraid I'm going to bust the pipe if I force it or have I broken the tap/valve?

Help please! I am a DIY idiot.

 

[WabbitPoo]

If the stop tap is turning freely now, it sounds like it has broken. If so, you'll prob have to find the stop cock out in the road for your property. You do know where that is, don't you?