Stopcock and pipe renewal advice

[Tigerlampost]

Hi all,

I’m looking to get some plumbing work done but before pulling the trigger I wanted to get a little advice as plumbing isn’t really something I’m confident with.

I’m in a 1930s house with an old ceased stopcock, it looks like a workaround has been fitted rather than replacing the stopcock itself.

The isolating value above the stopcock let’s by a little water when used and I’m not sure it’s right for the job, should I replace it with a lever valve?

Also you’ll see in the photo that there are another two crusted up islolaters, they look knackered so I’m thinking to replace those, I’m just not sure what the purpose of them is but should I go like for like or something else?

Final question, any ideas what the red pipe is all about? Could that be a central heating pipe?

Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Sonic70]

If you cant easily replace the original stopcock for a new one then maybe change the ballofix valve above it for a second stopcock. The other ballofix valves I would change for lever valves or butterfly valves(tee ball).

 

[blup]

I think a stop cock must incorporate a non return valve, so get a plumber to fit a new stop cock if it is damaged, and then replace the ball valve above with a lever valve, or even fit it somewhere that's more convenient to get to in an emergency.

Blup

 

[Sonic70]

Why do you need a non return valve next to the stop cock?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

That all looks a bit shoddy. Red pipe-who knows. Find out where it goes to/comes from. Or touch it when the heating is on or when you run a hot tap, see if it gets hot.
Big question is what is below that bottom stop tap. Lead? Iron? Well worth finding out before you start playing, also make sure the supplier stoptap (outside your house under a wee manhole cover) is accessible and working BEFORE you start doing anything.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Followup to try and answer your original question. Presumably that bottom stoptap is seized solid. And the one above it. Ideally you'd get rid of both those stoptaps and replace with a new one (lever full-bore ballvalve or trad stoptap, up to you). Those old taps will be costing you flow and pressure, as will that cheap iso valve above, which also needs to go.
Problem is if your supply pipe is lead, replacing that bottom tap is a task requiring specific skills. If supply is iron skill level required is lower BUT the pipe may be corroded, any attempt to do anything could lead to a significant failure.

 

[Tigerlampost]

That all looks a bit shoddy. Red pipe-who knows. Find out where it goes to/comes from. Or touch it when the heating is on or when you run a hot tap, see if it gets hot.
Big question is what is below that bottom stop tap. Lead? Iron? Well worth finding out before you start playing, also make sure the supplier stoptap (outside your house under a wee manhole cover) is accessible and working BEFORE you start doing anything.

Below the old stopcock looks to be lead pipe but I’m not entirely sure.

Another issue is the supply outside my house actually feeds my both neighbours as well as mine so it’s a bit of a pain agreeing when work can take place but that’s life I suppose.

The final thing I am considering is the two pipes on the right which look quite corroded where they meet the floor, I’m thinking to have that run of pipe removed before I end up with a leak but it’ll mean digging out the grouting as some plonker decided to tile them in

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Oh that's all a pain. How hard would it be for you to dig a trench to where the water board stoptap is (or to your boundary nearest to the tap)- be well worth getting your own supply in mdpe.
And I dislike buried pipes, good plan to get rid especially if they weren't taped or coated.

 

[Tigerlampost]

Oh that's all a pain. How hard would it be for you to dig a trench to where the water board stoptap is (or to your boundary nearest to the tap)- be well worth getting your own supply in mdpe.
And I dislike buried pipes, good plan to get rid especially if they weren't taped or coated.

Im in a link terrace style house and the water main is run in under a concrete pathway between the houses and then possibly under my conservatory. As much as I agree in getting my own supply it just looks too big a headache.

I feel like I need to make a start and just see if I can find a plumber experienced and willing enough to take it on.

One job at a time I suppose, first things first I’ll get the new stopcock in place and very carefully free the other pipes.

Cheers for all the advice everyone

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Don't touch that bottom stopcock (except with a big wrench to stop it turning when you take the other one off)!