Published 29 April 2026
Your stopcock, fuse box and boiler: what you need to know
With rising energy bills, understanding your home's key plumbing and utilities can help you manage costs and fix problems fast. Knowing where your stopcock, fuse box and boiler are, and how they work, could save you time, money and stress. A good home insurance policy will likely cover damage from burst pipes and leaks, but may not pay out if the damage was caused by neglect.
The stopcock: your water valve explained
A stopcock is a type of valve that controls the flow of water into your home, turning it on and off. It's the only way to quickly stop a leak in its tracks.
What you're looking for is a tap or lever situated between two lengths of pipe. It usually looks like a tap without a spout, or sometimes a wheel-style valve. Although a leak is a common occurrence, it's easy for it to be mistaken for something else and therefore ignored until it's too late.
So, make sure you:
- Check your water usage and bills to see if there are any sudden increases. This could be an indication that you have an 'escape of water' in your home.
- Check your water pressure. No one enjoys a low-pressure shower, plus it could be a sign there's a leak in your pipes.
- Check for mould and damp smells, as well as puddles on the floor, as this could indicate an underground water leak.
If you've spotted a leak, make sure you locate the stopcock and turn off your water supply completely.
Most homes have an internal stopcock located where the incoming pipe enters your home. The most common location is under the kitchen sink, but in an older home, you may also want to check if your internal stopcock is:
- In a bathroom cupboard.
- Under the stairs.
- In the hallway.
- Near the garage.
- In the airing cupboard.
- Around the boiler.
- Around the front door.
There's also an external stopcock located outside your property, usually on the pavement, footpath or driveway under a small metal cover (about the size of a CD case). This external stopcock is owned by your water company and controls the water supply from the street's water main to your home. You should only use the external stopcock in an emergency, for example if you have a leak on the supply pipe and your internal stopcock isn't working.
Once you've found your internal stopcock, turn the valve in a clockwise direction to stop the water supply to your entire property. It may take a few turns of the stopcock and a few minutes for the water to completely stop, so be patient and keep at it.
If you need to get your water supply running again, simply turn the stopcock anticlockwise and wait a few minutes for the water to return. It's essential knowledge for any homeowner, especially in an emergency.
Top Tip: Test your stopcock regularly by turning on a tap, then turning off the stopcock to see if the water stops. This simple check could save you a lot of stress when you need it most.
If water is still running after you've turned the stopcock, it may take a few more turns. Make sure it's definitely the stopcock you're turning and that you've turned until you can't turn it any more.
If the handle won't budge, your stopcock may be seized. Give it a gentle spray with a light lubricating oil (like WD-40), leave it to penetrate for 10 minutes, then try turning the handle in both directions. This can help loosen the seized part. If it still won't move, you'll need to call a plumber for repairs.
If your stopcock is leaking, you may need a plumber to tighten the gland nut or replace worn components. Don't force it, as this could make the leak worse or damage fragile pipework.
Top Tip: Stopcocks can break over time, meaning they're not very helpful in your moment of panic. You may want to turn your internal stopcock off when you're away from home for a while to prevent any water-related incidents whilst you're away.
The fuse box
Just as a stopcock controls your water supply, your fuse box controls the electricity supply to your home. It's the central switchboard where power from your utility provider is distributed to all your appliances and circuits.
You might hear the term 'tripped fuse box' when electricity suddenly cuts out. This happens for various reasons, like a faulty appliance or too many devices running at once. The good news? It's not a problem, it's a safety feature. The fuse box trips to prevent a dangerous surge of electricity.
Your fuse box is usually housed behind a metal cover on the wall, most commonly in a cupboard, hallway, basement or under the stairs. In older homes, you might find it on an exterior wall.
To reset a tripped fuse box, simply locate the switch that's flipped to the 'off' position and turn it back to 'on'. All the switches should be set to 'on' for everything to work properly.
Top tip: If you flick a switch to 'on' and it immediately trips again, this could be a sign that a faulty appliance is still connected to the mains electricity in your home.
The boiler
Your boiler is a key part of your home's plumbing system, heating water for distribution throughout the house via taps, showers and radiators. Boilers are often located close to where they're needed most, such as the kitchen, bathroom or utility room, and are usually encased in a large white metal box.
If your heating or hot water isn't working properly, low pressure might be to blame. Check the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler – the ideal pressure should read between 1 and 1.5 bar, which will show within the green zone. Look for the filling loop (it's the flexible silver pipe with two valves) which allows you to repressurise your boiler if needed. To increase the pressure, open both valves to allow water into the system.
If your home suffers water damage from a plumbing issue, you may need to make a claim on your home insurance who'll assess your cover and help with repairs.
Frequently asked questions about stopcocks
To shut off your water supply completely, turn the stopcock valve fully clockwise until it stops. Most stopcocks need several full turns before the water is completely cut off, so don't worry if it takes a bit of effort. Keep turning until you can't turn it any further – that's when you know the valve is fully closed. It may take a few minutes for the water to stop flowing through your pipes, so be patient.
Replacing a stopcock isn't a DIY job – you'll need to call a qualified plumber. The work involves shutting off the external water supply at the street, which your water company controls. Stopcocks usually need replacing if they've seized up, become corroded, or the valve has become faulty and won't shut off the water properly. A plumber will have the right tools and expertise to handle the plumbing work safely and ensure your new stopcock is fitted correctly.
You're responsible for maintaining and replacing the internal stopcock inside your property. This includes making sure it's in good working order and can control the flow of water when needed. The external stopcock (the one under a cover outside your property, usually on the pavement or driveway) is owned and maintained by your water company.
