Households advised to locate ’emergency off button’ by British Gas | UK | News
When a leak occurs, your first reaction may be to call a plumber. However, British Gas recommends that there is an important precaution to be taken in advance, especially during crises.
Your energy provider’s guidance focuses on your stopcock, the critical plumbing valve that regulates the flow of water to a property. Understanding its location, purpose, and how to shut it off can be invaluable when pipes burst or other domestic incidents occur.
An expert from British Gas recently shared his expertise on Instagram. He said: “Did you know you have an emergency shut-off button for water in your home, but do you really know where it is in case of an emergency?
“The tap is most commonly found under your kitchen unit. Your tap tap can also be found in downstairs toilets or utility rooms. Sometimes your tap can also be found on your outside meter, normally in your driveway.”
If you’re having trouble finding your faucet, follow the pipes back from the faucet until you find a valve in your main water supply. To close, simply grab the handle and turn it clockwise until you encounter some resistance.
The expert continued: “Make sure to test this, because they can get hold of it. Winter does not wait, and neither should you. Go and locate your tap today and test it.”
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British Gas also stated that burst pipes are common, especially in winter conditions, and usually occur when the pipe freezes. Clear signs of burst pipes include an unexpected drop in water pressure, moisture stains, or water stains appearing on walls and floors.
In such cases, in addition to turning off the taps, the household should also open all taps to drain the system. However, the water supply must remain shut off until an engineer can evaluate and resolve the problem.
Accordingly MirrorBritish Gas service and repair engineer Joanna Flowers also recently said: “Frozen pipes are one of the most common problems we see in cold weather, but the good news is that they are usually easy to fix if you act quickly.
“If you encounter any problems and call before 11am, one of our engineers will be with you the same day.” But the easiest way to avoid costly repairs caused by frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place.
Lining the pipes with affordable insulation, which can be purchased from a DIY store, helps retain heat and minimize heat loss. further British Gas’ online advice explains: “Insulating your pipes and water tanks is one of the best ways to prevent them from freezing.
“You can buy inexpensive pipe liners and tank jackets from many DIY stores and install them yourself for free. Just be sure to check the pipe and tank measurements first.”
