Help solve this friendly argument!

[Guest123]

We're having a (friendly) argument over whether it's right to fully open the main stopcock in a house or crack it open a few turns.
Right now it's 5 for against 2 and I'm curious to see the result on here. I'm not telling which way the voting is going until the result on here is counted!

 

[Garryaca@yahoo.]

I'd vote for cracking it open then backing off half a turn , then is it sticks you can wiggle it both ways to free it up

 

[shaunhighcock]

i was always taught not to crack it right open but what do i know lol

 

[Guest123]

Let me please rephrase this so that there are no misunderstandings. I should have said should a stopcock be opened nearly full or about half way?
Best out of 20 and the result should be interesting!

 

[Gray0689]

Open fully then turn back a turn

 

[tamz]

Normally fully open then back a half turn but it depends on the pressure. Sometimes it is best just open a few turns or the cold will blow the a..e out the sink and be up the walls when anyone uses it.

 

[Stuthewarrior]

I'd vote for cracking it open then backing off half a turn , then is it sticks you can wiggle it both ways to free it up

 

[danielp]

and stick a pressure reducing valve in

 

[Bernie2]

Same. Full open and back half a turn. It seems if you don't go back half a turn the spindle seizes up.

Anyway as said, you can turn it a bit if its stiff and you have a bit of play.

 

[Dannypipe]

Open it up fully, and then back it off a bit. Around half a turn...that's what i was taught.

I think it's because if it sticks, you can wiggle it both ways.

I never leave em fully open. Funny really!

 

[REDSAW]

gonna be the same all day long, aint it.

 

[dontknowitall]

Yup!!

Full open then back a half turn or so.

That's why my mum taught me.

 

[Steve001]

I'm with the majority on this one, fully open then one or half turn (Depends on mood) back

 

[turnpin]

taught the same method fully open back half a turn,almost 40 years ago works for meregards turnpin

 

[Puddle]

Well if they are on a water meter

Just turn on slightly to allow a dribble through the taps and rough rule of thumb, about 37 mins to fill loo,if they need any fast flowing water to wash hair or wash out tooth brush, they can stick head or brush down loo when flushed

If no meter water meter fitted,open fully and

Always worked for me !!

 

[stevetheplumber]

taught the same method fully open back half a turn,almost 40 years ago works for meregards turnpin

wasnt at tottenham tech by any chance

 

[Guest123]

Hi
Thanks to all who replied, the answer is almost unanimous and is the one I argued for. Five of us said that a stopcock should be opened full then turned back half a turn, the other two said it should be opened half way.

Good to everyone agreeing on something which is rare on a forum.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

ask the other two how they would know it was half way.

 

[macplumb]

Fully open 1/2 turn back

 

[Rodreguez]

gonna be the same all day long, aint it.

Fully open back half a turn to stop it gettin seized. if you get problems with water blowing out of a tap too fast and spraying everywhere either fit a flow regulator or fit/throttle back a iso valve at point of use till desired flow is reached.

 

[Guest123]

ask the other two how they would know it was half way.

I assume half a dozen turns without getting too precise over what the halfway point is.

Wonder what the colleges teach the kids?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

We're having a (friendly) argument over whether it's right to fully open the main stopcock in a house or crack it open a few turns.
Right now it's 5 for against 2 and I'm curious to see the result on here. I'm not telling which way the voting is going until the result on here is counted!

bored are we?

 

[WHPES]

Fully open then back 1/2 a turn.

If you want to limit the flow use a PRV and flow limiter. Relying on the stopcock can cause the jumper to virbrate and the pipes to be noisy.

 

[mylocalgasman]

Open fully then turn back a turn

Spot on, that's what I was taught

 

[Barry98]

ill have to ask the love slave thats his department , putting his hand down dark holes

 

[Kimou]

All the way then you get a return job when it's buggered.

 

[Guest123]

Who brought back this thread! Goad someone must have trolled through posts. Must have too much time on their hands! LOL

 

[fuzzy]

some questions are timeless

 

[Furgazoid@hotma]

Always open full then 180' turn close. Makes it easy for the next man to use. End of

 

[Furgazoid@hotma]

Open sd valve fully open and crack back. If valve is half closed, eventually the water can wear away part part of the seating and it wont shut off

 

[AWheating]

stop taps are designed to be adjustable, the right answer is to open it up enough to allow the cold water system to operate correctly.

if your bypassing the meter tho, open meters valve 1/8 to keep it ticking over alittle! JOKE

 

[centralgas]

Open it enough to eliminate the chance of immediate death resulting solely from a stop tap not being open enough. Or too far.

 

[stevetheplumber]

its basic engineering practice open fully then turn back if you leave it fully open the thread is jammed tight together and will sieze

 

[8Ball]

I open the valve then turn the cold tap on then play with the stopcock to make sure its not making too much noise when there is good pressure,,

 

[Guest123]

As I started this thread way back, can I say that I agree with everyone who opens the valve fully then cracks it back a half turn.