Stopcock Not Completely Shutting Water Off

[*Dan*]

I was going to fit an under sink water filter but before ordering the kit I wanted to check that I could successfully isolate the cold mains water supply. The house is only 5 years old and the under sink stopcock is clearly labellled as ‘mains water supply’. I have screwed this all the way in and ran the cold tap and although the flow reduces significantly there is still a very fine trickle coming out of the cold tap. I have screwed the tap in as far as I can go but don’t want to do it any tighter in case i damage anything. Glad I have checked this now but was wondering if I am missing something before I may have to get someone out to fit a new one. Seems strange that it may have seized already unless it was fitted wrong when the house was built.

Thanks for looking

 

[Madrab]

Nothing new there, the one critical piece of advice that they don't give is - "Turn the mains tap fully off and on once or twice year". Just keeps everything moving and working.
If you have an upstairs, the fine trickle may be the upper pipework emptying out, open an upstairs tap and see if it all drains out.

If not, you'll need to find your outside stop tap, isolate the mains and service or replace the tap.

 

[*Dan*]

Thanks for the quick reply - I have just followed your advice and upstairs cold taps have no flow which is a good sign. I’m now running the downstairs tap for a lot longer and it has now isolated the supply so thanks for your help there. I wasn’t giving the downstairs tap enough time to drain out the whole system. I’ll make sure I work the stop cock every year now. Is it recommended to lube the tap or not?

Btw your not on Ford forum as recognise the username.

 

[Madrab]

Nope, don't need to lube the tap, just crank it closed and open now and again, when opening, run it till it stops then back 1/2 turn, stops it jamming open.

Which forum?? Been a member of a few of them over the years, RS Owners when I had my Escort, up to the focus I had, can't remember if i used the same name or not.

 

[*Dan*]

Nope, don't need to lube the tap, just crank it closed and open now and again, when opening, run it till it stops then back 1/2 turn, stops it jamming open.

Which forum?? Been a member of a few of them over the years, RS Owners when I had my Escort, up to the focus I had, can't remember if i used the same name or not.

Thanks - I’m on RSOC and remembered the username but may be someone else.