Water supply in your council home
It's important to know some basic things about your water supply, including what to do if:
- water pipes are frozen
- your water supply goes off
- the toilet system or storage tank is overflowing
Find your stopcock
Make sure you know where the main stopcock is so you can turn off the water supply in an emergency. It's often located under the kitchen sink. There may also be additional stopcocks that control water to specific parts of your home.
Turn the stopcock 2 or 3 times a year to prevent it from becoming stuck. If it's difficult to turn, try using a lubricant such as WD40. Do not force it. If it does not work, call us on 020 7974 4444.
If your storage tank or toilet system is overflowing
Storage tanks and toilet systems have overflow pipes to prevent flooding. If a system is overflowing, you may notice a constant flow of water from an outside pipe or into a bath or washbasin.
If you cannot stop the overflow, report a repair immediately.
If your water supply goes off
If your water supply stops, turn off all taps and leave sinks, basins, and baths unplugged. This helps prevent flooding when the water supply is restored. No drinking water is an emergency and you should report a repair immediately.
If your pipes are frozen
If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the main stopcock and drain the system by turning on all taps. When the pipes have thawed, turn the water supply back on.
Do not apply direct heat to frozen pipes, as this may cause them to burst. If you have a burst pipe, call us on 020 7974 4444.
If water is leaking, try to identify the source. If it's coming from a joint, hole, or split pipe, wrap a cloth around the leak and place a bucket underneath. If water is dripping through an electrical light or switch, do not use it. Call us immediately.
Keep shower heads clean
To maintain good water hygiene and reduce the build-up of bacteria, we recommend cleaning shower heads with a suitable household cleaner every 3 months. This also applies to shower hoses attached to bath taps.
If you've been away from home for several weeks or more, run the shower for 5 minutes before using it.