It is not the time to start looking for the stop cock when water is leaking through the ceiling! Far better to have this knowledge before hand, so you can deal quickly with sudden emergencies, so if you are moving into a new home or don't know where the stop cock is in your property, then you should find out as soon as possible!

Knowing where and how to turn off mains water is essential. All domestic water is supplied by a service pipe, called a 'rising main'. The 'rising main' is connected to the local water authority's 'main', which runs under the public highway. There will be a stop cock exactly at the point where the'rising main' comes off the water authority's 'main'. The stop stock provides a means of isolating the water supply to your property, should an emergency or any repairs be required.

The homeowners responsibility begins where the' rising main' leaves the public highway and enters their land.

The 'rising main' in modern properties is made from plastic, although in some older properties it could be made of lead or copper. There is also another stop cock where the 'rising main' enters your building, and this could be in a number of places.

Common locations are:- Under the kitchen sink.- In the hallway behind a section of removable skirting board.- In a service cupboard at the front of the property.

Most homeowners rarely have to carry out major plumbing jobs and in most cases it is usually safer and better to employ a qualified plumber, but being able to tackle small installations or repairs can save a lot of time and money.

At AbleSkills, a variety of plumbing courses are available, from weekend training, to learning certificated basic knowledge over a few days to fulltime City & Guilds NVQ level 2 6129 technical training and onto advanced courses.

If you choose to modify existing or install new plumbing then you must adhere to local water authority regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard public health and reduce risk of contamination or wastage. Once again, AbleSkills can provide all the necessary information you need to know if you are planning to do up your bathrom or kitchen. You must also adhere to any relevant electrical regulations. Electrical courses from entry level to full time NVQ training are also available with many options to cater for all requirements.