Stopcock handle broken

[Nikita Norman]

Yesterday I replaced my kitchen sink and tap. The handle broke off the stopcock so now I have no running water!

It's old - I've been here nearly 19 years and it predates me - and has to be turned very tightly to stop the water.

I can't budge it.

I also can't afford a plumber so please tell me what tool I need to get this thing open again! I've tried a new ball valve handle, but the hole was too small (couldn't find my tape measure when I needed it) but there's not enough room to actually use it anyway, because the waste downpipe from the bathroom is next to it.

All stopcock keys I've seen have square holes which I don't think will be able to grip well enough.

 

[cross thread]

Spanner or a adjustable spanner will do it

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

A small adjustable spanner, is all you need, fitted on the flats of the spindle.

 

[ChrisJP]

If you buy a new stockcock it'll have a handle like the old one which you can remove from the new and fit to the old. But as has been said an adjustable spanner clamped tightly onto the flats will move it as it can't be too tight, given you closed it before your tap job

 

[Nikita Norman]

I had to use leverage to tighten it so it actually stopped the flow, though. That's what broke the handle. It is hellishly tight!

 

[Nikita Norman]

Adjustable spanner on the way anyway, hopefully it will do the trick!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Adjustable spanner on the way anyway, hopefully it will do the trick!

You will have much more leverage, with an adjustable spanner, than with the tap handle. If it was that difficult to shut off, likely your stop tap needs servicing, or replacing.

 

[jj4091]

A good squirt of WD 40 on the spindle and nut where the white stuff is

 

[HERTS P&D]

Slighty undo the gland nut and apply wd40, then use a spanner on the spundle.

Andy

 

[spile]

I’d save up until you can get a plumber to freeze the pipe and fit a new tap.

 

[Mottie]

I’d save up until you can get a plumber to freeze the pipe and fit a new tap.

It’s stuck in the closed position. They have no water.

 

[Odds]

I resorted to mole grips when our old s.cock stuck solid. I found 'em easier to lock into position without slipping off.

 

[spile]

It’s stuck in the closed position. They have no water.

Borrow the money then.

 

[Dereekoo]

Borrow the money then.

Or perhaps isolate the supply at the water companies stop valve

 

[ChrisJP]

Since the OP only recently turned the handle to close the stopcock it cannot be seized closed or even seriously stuck. With the handle broken, the use of an adjustable spanner or a Mole wrench to open the stopcock is such an obvious action I can't understand why the OP needed this forum to tell him this.