Main water valve

[Ridalo]

Hi, The main water stopcock for my house requires replacement or possibly refurbishment with a new washer and stem stuffing. If I go down the replacement route, what kind of valve does the team think is the most reliable, for the long term. Stopcock? Ball valve? Gate valve? Some other kind? As far as I have been able to determine, there are no regulations on this, just best practice. If there are regulations, I of course want to comply. Thanks all - in anticipation of your opinions. Ridalo

[N_Cook]

Which is the best at total stoppage years down the line ? for preliminary checking for leaks in the company pipe, prior to digging a hole at your boundary and freezer slush or whatever, to determing their side or your side , plus listening stick

[Andy Burns]

I had assumed the O/P meant stopcock within the house, not within the street?

[ARW]

I also assumed that.

My answer would be Surestop - but it might depend on the type and size of the incoming pipe.

[Animal]

I'm not sure any of them are very reliable. Gate valves are the worst. Balls are ok if exercised now & then, otherwise they seize up.

[SteveW]

In industry, ball valves with stainless-steel balls and plastic seats and seals are often used. They should not easily seize, being without the metal to metal contact

[Ridalo]

Yes, stopcock within the house is the one I meant. As I understand it the one in the street is the responsibility of the water supplier. Ridalo

[Andy Burns]

I quite like the pegler full-bore ones, haven't had them fitted for decades to know what they're like when unused though

[Tricky Dicky]

+1

[Brian Gaff]

According to Thames water. My in property valve, under the front garden, is seized up solid, but we can turn it off at the meter which is on the footway outside. I've not tried this however. Indoors I have a retro fitted tap, but its not been moved for years, and Manual turning seems pointless. What is needed is a tap that does not seize up. Brian

[Brian Gaff]

I'm interested in both. However if its outside, then it does not matter if there is a weep as it is only going to be off short term. A larger version of the rotating gate type used on the washing machine would suffice but how do you stop it binding up with lime scale and general corrosion, other than sealing the lot in some kind of weatherproof box and making it with teflon parts!

Brian

[Ridalo]

That is exactly what I am looking for, one that does not seize up. Ridalo

[Andrew]

Then definately do not use a gate valve. Full bore, ball valve of good quality is the only one of choice other than one that Adam mentioned.

[AlanC]

We have one fitted since our kitchen was replaced in 2018. I initially purchased that valve as a cut off for the garden tap supply which the plumber put in when everything was ripped out. When I came home from work one day, the kitchen fitter had decided to change things around and used it for the main cut off for the house.

So far its been OK but then its only been 4.5 years. Its been used a few times in that time.

[Richard]

[Ridalo]

The ball valve seems to be the best one. Though I may fit a sureestop also. Thanks to all who replied. Ridalo