Plumbing, what is it?

[grade2]

Just in the process of buying a 1995 house. Doing a 2nd look around the property to see what needs upgrading, thought I determin where the stopcock for incoming water was. I can only assume that what I managed to picture is the stopcock, it a bit difficult to obtain something better as the owners daughter (she had no clue) was there. Never seen anything like this before, there is a plastic covering on the outside as well. Would be interested to know if anyone can explain or at least point me to some relevant info, please. Click on thumbnail to see in full.[url|https://thumbsnap.com/m1huJmwo[/url]

[sherman]

Looks more like a switch for something rather than a stop cock.
Is there 2 hot water tanks for instance or a well in the garden that can run the water supply part time?

[Om]

What is that a picture of - the unit? How/where is it situated?

It is really difficult to tell from that picture (though Thumbsnap labels it as 'a dirty toilet in a dirty bathroom' so it may better than me!

[SkodaIan]

The blue bit looks like a plastic covered retaining chain to me, though it's hard to tell the photo/context from the photo.

Did you try turning the black part by 90 degrees to the other position to see what happened? If the owner of the house said this was the stopcock, I'm wondering if this is just something you undo to remove an access cover to the stopcock itself. If turning the black part enabled some of the (dirty) white plastic cover to come off, a full stopcock may be behind that - alternatively if it reveals a small hole you may then insert a square key to operate the stopcock.
The actual stopcock is likely to turn several complete turns between "on" and "off", so I doubt the black handle operates it directly.

[dhutch]

Link to full size image.

https://thumbsnap.com/f/m1huJmwo

[SkodaIan]

Having now looked at the big photo, it looks like this is on the waste (drain) pipe rather than the water supply. Initially I thought the waste pipe at the left was just going past, but on the big photo it looks like it connects.

If that's the case, it's certainly not a stopcock. It might be a grease trap, or if you live in an area prone to flooding a valve you can shut to stop sewage and floodwater coming up the drain into the house.

[dhutch]

The other black thing, to the right, looks like a 'hozelock' style connector to me?

The blue thing is a bit of staplespun polyprop rope, not attached to anything at all.

SkodaIan said:

Having now looked at the big photo, it looks like this is on the waste (drain) pipe rather than the water supply.

Or some sort of macerator unit?

[ecs0set]

SkodaIan said:

Having now looked at the big photo, it looks like this is on the waste (drain) pipe rather than the water supply. Initially I thought the waste pipe at the left was just going past, but on the big photo it looks like it connects.

If that's the case, it's certainly not a stopcock. It might be a grease trap, or if you live in an area prone to flooding a valve you can shut to stop sewage and floodwater coming up the drain into the house.

In that case, it must be a switched outlet for sewage. Much like the Jag XJ Series 3 had two fuel tanks with a switch, I presume this is for two septic tanks.

To avoid this common scenario at an inopportune seasonal moment:

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[grade2]

dhutch said:

Link to full size image.

https://thumbsnap.com/f/m1huJmwo

Thanks for that

[grade2]

ecs0set said:

In that case, it must be a switched outlet for sewage. Much like the Jag XJ Series 3 had two fuel tanks with a switch, I presume this is for two septic tanks.

To avoid this common scenario at an inopportune seasonal moment:

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Thanks for your input.

[grade2]

Om said:

What is that a picture of - the unit? How/where is it situated?

It is really difficult to tell from that picture (though Thumbsnap labels it as 'a dirty toilet in a dirty bathroom' so it may better than me!

Underneath kitchen sink.

[grade2]

SkodaIan said:

The blue bit looks like a plastic covered retaining chain to me, though it's hard to tell the photo/context from the photo.

Did you try turning the black part by 90 degrees to the other position to see what happened? If the owner of the house said this was the stopcock, I'm wondering if this is just something you undo to remove an access cover to the stopcock itself. If turning the black part enabled some of the (dirty) white plastic cover to come off, a full stopcock may be behind that - alternatively if it reveals a small hole you may then insert a square key to operate the stopcock.
The actual stopcock is likely to turn several complete turns between "on" and "off", so I doubt the black handle operates it directly.

Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, I prob. will not be going back to property until I actually move in. I was more curious as I have never come across anything like it.

[Pflanzgarten]

It's the back of your water meter.

[grade2]

Pflanzgarten said:

It's the back of your water meter.

Ok, will look further as and when we hopefully move in. In the meanwhile, thanks for that.

[Pflanzgarten]

grade2 said:

Pflanzgarten said:

It's the back of your water meter.

Ok, will look further as and when we hopefully move in. In the meanwhile, thanks for that.

Used to fit this type about 20 years ago maybe? The quarter turn black handle on the left is the isolator valve which doubles as your stop cock and the black nipple on the right is a drain off.

It should be on an outside wall with a hatch on the other side to view the actual meter.

We fit them internally now, they're smart versions with a little water driven dynamo/impeller that charges the battery for the sim card.

[grade2]

sherman said:

Looks more like a switch for something rather than a stop cock.
Is there 2 hot water tanks for instance or a well in the garden that can run the water supply part time?

Just dont know. But, thanks for replying.

[Piersman2]

That photo really needs a banana for scale. I can't work out if the blue dangly bit is a piece of string, or as mentioned above a chain encased in blue plastic.

Am I looking at something really close up, or something really big?

Thank goodness Pflanzgarten had the answer, I can forget this thread now and move on with my life.

Edited by Piersman2 on Saturday 6th August 09:02

[Pflanzgarten]

Piersman2 said:

That photo really needs a banana for scale. I can't work out if the blue dangly bit is a piece of string, or as mentioned above a chain encased in blue plastic.

Am I looking at something really close up, or something really big?

It doesn’t, I’ve posted what it is.

The blue dangly bit is simply a drawstring left in from installation.

[grade2]

Pflanzgarten said:

Used to fit this type about 20 years ago maybe? The quarter turn black handle on the left is the isolator valve which doubles as your stop cock and the black nipple on the right is a drain off.

It should be on an outside wall with a hatch on the other side to view the actual meter.

We fit them internally now, they're smart versions with a little water driven dynamo/impeller that charges the battery for the sim card.

THank you for your info, that would certainly explain it. House built 1995 ish, and on outside wall a plastic removable panel. Hopefully answers will be confirmed when the searches are complete. Was very curious as I had never seen anything like it in other 4 houses I have lived in.

[Piersman2]

Pflanzgarten said:

Piersman2 said:

That photo really needs a banana for scale. I can't work out if the blue dangly bit is a piece of string, or as mentioned above a chain encased in blue plastic.

Am I looking at something really close up, or something really big?

It doesn’t, I’ve posted what it is.

The blue dangly bit is simply a drawstring left in from installation.

Well done you, I've already edited my post to say thanks for sorting that out for us.