How to find your internal mains water valve

How to isolate your internal mains water supply

There may be a time when you’ll need to turn off your water supply, either to your whole home or to individual taps or showers. This could be because of maintenance or because you’ve discovered a leak.

Your internal mains water valve (or stopcock)

The main water supply to your home is controlled by a small tap, sometimes called a stop-tap. It can usually be found outside your home, by the water meter if you have one. But there is normally a second stopcock inside your home.

Finding the tap

If the main water pipe to your home is damaged, the external one may need to be turned off.
You’ll normally find the external tap under a cover, probably by the water meter, set into the pavement or path to the front of your home.
A screwdriver can be used to remove the cover.
To turn off the water, you may need a long-reach tap tool or stopcock key.

Finding and operating your internal mains water valve

Normally, when you need to isolate the water supply to your home, you’ll use the internal tap
It’s a large, brass valve that looks a little like a tap, with a water pipe that sticks out from each side.

CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd - stopcock-mains-internal-water-valve

Where to look

under your kitchen sink
in the downstairs toilet
under the sink in the utility room

We once had a client that had it hidden in a skirting board!

If you live in an apartment or flat then it may also be found in:

any communal area outside the entrance door
in a cupboard along with stopcocks for other apartments or flats

Once you’ve located your stopcock, it’s a good idea to regularly test it to make sure it doesn’t get stuck in one position as it can cease up, and will always be ready to use in an emergency.

To turn off your internal stopcock:

turn the top clockwise until you can feel resistance, the same as when you turn off a regular tap.

If this is overwhelming or if you are worried then please ask our team for assistance

We like being plumbers, it's what we are good at and we are never too big a company to stop caring about the little things. So ask us if you are worried!

Use our CONTACT US page to get in touch or message us via our social media channels

07/02/201925/10/2022

Oil to LPG – making the switch

The downside of being off-grid and using oil

The threat of the theft of your oil, dealing with leaks , high carbon emissions and large unsightly tanks are just a few of the issues rural, off-grid properties have to deal with because they have no other choice - well that's not exactly true as more and more homes are making the switch - read more

You could switch to LPG instead of oil

Offering a lower carbon, cleaner alternative to traditional heating oil, LPG is a more efficient gas and heating and cooking in your home could be easier, greener and more affordable with a far neater and safer storage solution offering you unspoilt views in your rural home.

LPG is Propane which has a higher energy content than natural gas

A much neater solution to off-grid heating and cooking fuel

Find out more from an expert

"So tell me what the real advantages are?"

Cook on an instant controllable flame
Low risk of fuel theft
Switching is easy and hassle-free with CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd
LPG is greener than fossil fuels and better for the environment
LPG can be used for cooking AND heating whereas Oil is for your boiler only!
You can cook on gas during power cuts

Contact us today for a friendly chat - visit our contact us page

31/08/201810/02/2022

5 things you should do before you switch the heating on!

CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd Do you remember the summer and the heatwave of 2018? Remember how hot it was, how we longed to cool down? And then our memories are suddenly shattered with the first cool snap of the year and we actually start to feel cold prompting households in the Northamptonshire towns and surrounds to start to think about the ‘best time to turn the heating on’ which in most households is a long-fought argument! Who is in charge of the thermostat in your home?

Here are 5 simple things you can do to cut your energy bills before you turn that dial and fire the boiler up.

1. Hunt for draughts and pull your curtains!

Make it into a game with the kids and do it on a windy day. Get down low on the floor and feel for cold spots. Found one? Use draught proof strips and exclude draughts from places like door frames and letterboxes. Use curtains over old doors and invest in good double glazing.

2. Get your boiler serviced

An efficient boiler could save you £££'s.

Servicing is important for your safety and to save money. An annual service of your boiler, costing from as little as £55 +vat, and heating system is important to maintain it's efficiency and to prevent long-term and sometimes costly repair bills. Prevention is always far better than cure.

The Gas Safe registered CSPH team can provide you with serving of all types of domestic boiler. Use the contact button below to visit our servicing page and get in touch.

3. Use a timer or SMART meter

The ability to remotely control the temperature in your home appeals to those with hectic schedules; if you have a late-running meeting there's no reason to heat an empty home, is there? On holiday and realised you forgot to turn off the heat? Fixing the error is just a few taps away on your smartphone.

Smart thermostats don't directly save you money the way switching energy supplier can. However, they provide the ability to heat your home more efficiently which should save you in the long run. You will also receive reports about your usage, which can help you better understand your heating usage, and adjust your behaviour and preferences accordingly to save money.

4. Get insulated

You could be leeching all the heat from your home into the street via your loft! Heat rises and so will your heating bills. Do more for your budget and the environment by getting proper insulation fitted

5. Put a jumper on and do some press ups!

Sorry - we couldn't help the last one - see how long you can last before the switch on by keeping warm in other ways! Add a layer, pull a throw over you when you are sat on the sofa or snuggle with a loved one or pet! And for those of you into more extreme ways of keeping warm maybe press-ups or cross fit!

For a quotation on a boiler service from Chris and the team just fill out our contact form or call us at the number above!

Keep warm this winter

BOOK A BOILER SERVICE TODAY

20/07/201810/02/2022

Cover Plans from CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Cover Plans from CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Our Cover Plans profile shows the level of items covered within each plan 'at a glance'

Our most popular cover plan is the GOLD plan from £19.50 per month.

So what does the 'from' part mean and how much will it actually cost me? Well, this is a good question and if you lived in a 24 bedroom mansion with multiple radiators and several boilers to heat each wing of the home and the swimming pool then you would be delighted to pay only £19.50 per month! So we have to make an assessment based on the size of your home and the age and condition of your existing boiler, heating system, radiators etc. We visit your home and take images of your boiler, record the system design and make notes of operation, the location of your gas and water meters etc so that we know how best to advise you.

Making a Cover Plan claim

Our aim is to attend any reports of a fault within 24 hrs and we can also advise you over the phone as we will have our notes about your system giving you added reassurance.

11/04/201810/02/2022

Boiler Guide from CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Boiler Guide from CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Have a look at this Boiler Guide when choosing which boiler is best for your home, you first need to choose which type. There are three main types of boiler: combi, system and conventional.

1. Combi Boilers

Combination boilers - more commonly known as combi boilers - are the most popular kind in the UK and provide heat and hot water with no need for water tanks or cylinders. You can pick either a gas or electric combi boiler.

Pros

you get unlimited heat and hot water when you need it.
there's no need for a tank in your loft.
they don't take up much space.

Cons

The water pressure might be reduced if you need hot water from more than one tap at a time.

Suitable for

Almost any home, but best for homes where lots of people won't need lots of hot water at the same time

2. System boilers

System boilers - also known as a sealed system - come with a water cylinder These usually sit in an airing cupboard and there is no water tank.

Pros

there's no need for a tank in your loft.
you can get hot water from multiple taps at the same time.

Cons

you don't get hot water instantly.
the hot water can run out and you'll have to wait for it to reheat.
you need to find room for the cylinder somewhere.

Suitable for

Homes which need to have hot water in more than one place at the same time.

3. Conventional boilers

Conventional boilers - also known as open vent or regular boilers - have both a cylinder and a tank.

Pros

You can get hot water from multiple taps at the same time.

Cons

the hot water can run out and you'll have to wait for it to reheat.
you need to find room for the cylinder and the tank.

Suitable for

Homes which need to have hot water in more than one place at the same time.

4. Condensing boilers

Condensing boilers aren't strictly a boiler type - instead it's an attribute your boiler can have, e.g. you can have a condensing combi boiler or a condensing conventional boiler.

Condensing boilers are very energy efficient because they capture some of the heat which would escape from the flue of a non-condensing boiler and re-use it. This means they get more heat from the same amount of fuel, which will save you money on your heating bills.

All new gas boilers have had to be condensing since 2005 (although in exceptional circumstances non-condensing boilers are allowed).

5. Energy-efficient boilers

All new boilers are energy-efficient - since 2010 all new boilers must be A-rated for energy efficiency, or at least 88% efficient.

All boilers are assessed and given a rating to help you pick a boiler that is energy-efficient, or see how efficient your existing boiler is.

Still not sure about which boiler to choose after reading the boiler guide?

Then ask the team at CSPH for advice and guidance in choosing the right boiler for your home directly by phone 03303 112 905 or by completing the contact form by CLICKING HERE

19/03/201810/02/2022

Landlord Services from CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Landlord Services

It has certainly been a busy month for the CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd team as they have been partnering with some of the leading Northamptonshire based letting agents and sharing the option of the CS PLumbing and Heating Ltd Landlord Services in the form of cover plans allowing Landlords to budget more wisely for expensive heating and plumbing repairs.

CSPH have comprehensive products in place to allow flexibility in product and pricing with personalised plans to fit the needs of the smallest property up to a large portfolio.

Working with Simon Musto, Charles Orlebar and Matthew Nicholas we are hoping to satisfy the provision of cover and pricing to suit the needs of the tenant and landlord alike.

CONTACT our team to get in touch with more information about our Northamptonshire Landlord Services

landlord-services

09/02/201810/02/2022

A SMARTER way to manage your heating

Effective heating controls are a vital part of an efficient boiler-powered central-heating system. Clever use of controls can help you minimise energy consumption by ensuring each room is at the right temperature for comfort, while avoiding overheating. This will keep your home cosy and cut your energy bills.There are many different articles written on the topic and as many different thermostats to choose from.

'Which ' guides are tried and tested and we share a link here to a review of boiler controls and thermostats.Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers/article/boiler-controls-and-thermostats - Which?

CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd are here to help you choose

Its not easy making your mind up about the right thermostat and of course how to fit it correctly and what to do if it goes wrong. Chris and the team are on standby to take your call and advise you. Their advice is free! Visit the CONTACT PAGE for details of how to get in touch

03/01/201810/02/2022

Helpful hints & tips for your heating system during the winter

Plumbing and Heating systems during the winter

Most of us worry about a boiler breakdown during the Winter, especially once the colder months are here. The following tips could not only help prevent your boiler from breaking down but also keep your central heating system in good working order all year round.

Understand How Your Boiler Works

Understanding how your boiler works can help you to detect any faults or problems, and could even save you money if you discover something is wrong before more damage is caused. Make sure you read and understand your boiler's manual. If you've lost your manual, you might be able to download it from the manufacturer's website.

Annual Boiler Service

An annual service of your boiler can be readily put back as a low priority, but boiler maintenance and regular checks can help prevent unexpected breakdowns and repairs. An annual boiler service can also protect those you care about and save you money!

Insulate Your Pipes

Pipe insulation can prevent your pipework from seizing up when the temperatures drop below zero during winter. Pipe lagging can stop water in your pipework from freezing and bursting, prevent the build of condensation and save you money on your energy bills as the insulation helps preserve heat within your pipes.

System Power Flush

Power flushing your central heating system can prevent boiler breakdowns and significantly improve boiler efficiency. By circulating high-strength cleansing chemicals, a power flush can remove debris, rust and contaminants from your central heating and is more cost-effective than replacing an old, inefficient boiler.

Bleed Your Radiators

Trapped air in your central heating system can cause your boiler to work harder than it needs to, which can increase your energy costs. Bleeding your radiators is a relatively easy process that can help remove any trapped air within your central heating system. Ensure you monitor your boiler's water pressure after bleeding your radiators, the pressure should be between 1-1.5 bar.

Check Your Heating Regularly

If you have a combination gas boiler, it is advised to regularly turn on your boiler throughout the year, even during the warmer months when your central heating is not in use. To prevent breakdowns during winter, simply switch on your heating for 15 minutes once a month during the summer.

Gas Safe Specialists

Do not carry out the above tips if you're not 100% comfortable with what you're doing. If in doubt, it's always best to trust in a professional. All of our team are Gas Safe Registered and we're happy to provide no obligation advice and answer any of your questions over the phone.

CS Plumbing and Heating Ltd - here for you

We offer expert boiler repairs and maintenance to help you fix unforeseen issues and breakdowns. Pick up the phone and call Chris directly on 03303 112 905