STOPCOCK THAT DOESN'T STOP

[drainpipe1]

I have a problem (or2) with the stopcock on the cast iron rising main on a 1936 bungalow.
The cast iron riser and cast iron stopcock connects to copper piping
The stopcock leaks slightly from the nut on the spindle (not a major problem) and the stopcock fails to stop the water flow to the house when turned off ( more of a problem!)
The handle and spindle turn freely and the the spindle moves into the body but has no effect on the propertys water supply.
There is access the stopcock in the street but it is very slow and awkward to access and not sufficient for an emergency.
I repacked the gland which appears to have stemmed the drip but still no effect on water supply.
The stopcock is just above floorboard height and there is a T-joint about 2 inches above the stopcock so leaving the stopcock in place and putting a new one adjacent is not an option.
Just in case the problem does not seem challenging enough the corner location leaves limited working space.
The body of the stopcock is made of cast Iron and removing it would be a nightmare possibly resulting in damage to the rising main.
Is it possible to obtain a new stopcock insert that will fit into the old iron body and if so where from ?
would i need to do anything else ?
Alternatively is there an alternative solution that anyone can suggest ?

 

[Axel]

Hmm... I would firstly contact your local water authority and tell them your outside (street) stopcock is not reliable and ask them to put in a new one, so that you have a definite and fast way of turning off water mains in emergency. Then you might consider replacing the iron pipe from before the stopcock, even if just from the nearest threaded joint.

 

[leakydave]

On some stop cocks that don't, like yours, I've found that over time the washer has worn down and basically disappeared...

You might be able to shut the boundary stop tap, put a hose on the drain off point above indoor stop tap, take out the spindle etc from internal stop tap and gey someone to put their hand over the opening so any excess water goes down the hose, or use a lump of blutac. You can inspect washer, or put new one on and there would be minimal (?) water on your floor...

... well, an idea???

 

[tryitandsee]

Have you ever considered having a water meter fitted. Free here in Southampton.

If so this would be a good time to have one installed as the water board would install a neat meter box in your pavement and leave you with a neat key that turns the mains off from that point. Or if your lucky they may even put the water meter into your awkward cupboard and replace the stop cock at the same time.

Worth looking into it as once they are there, a few £ (pounds in cash) will sometimes work wonders to the meter installer.

 

[dextrous]

If you can unscrew the stopcock from the iron fitting, it should be a BSP thread, for which males/female fittings are widely available with 15 or 22mm compression outlets to to copper above/ . Wrap ptfe around the thread concerned, and use stiltsons to grip the pipes.

 

[gigz]

Could you not turn off the water in the street, then fit a new stoptap after the old one and alter the pipework above the old one, repack the gland and open fully ?