Outside stopcock cover

[cmsapms]

I've just unearthed (literally) my outside stopcock. It was buried under 18 inches of soil/sand/gravel. Amazingly, despite being buried for years/decades/centuries it turns freely.

Anyway, rather than re-covering it with soil, I'd like to put in a proper access with cover over the stopcock. Trouble is, I can't seem to find anything suitable on t'web. Ideally, I'd like a cast iron jobby to match in with other covers in the lane, but a plastic one'd probably be OK.

Anyone any suggestions for where to look?

[ChrisnChris]

Try one of the bigger builders merchants Travis Perkins, Jewsons etc. who have a "heavy side" they will usually carry cast access fittings. Or plastic manufacturers like Osma or Marley, lots of drainage & associated fittings.

[jhfozzy]

Something like THIS?

Obviously plus the associated chamber.

[TheD]

I would be thinking about keeping it warm rather than exposed. Cover it in some insulating material before you do anything. Being buried has saved it from freeeezing (unless you are in a no freeze zone )

[GreenDog]

TheD said:

I would be thinking about keeping it warm rather than exposed. Cover it in some insulating material before you do anything. Being buried has saved it from freeeezing (unless you are in a no freeze zone )

Cur some polystyrene to the size of the chamber and push it in before you close the lid, it'll protect the stopcock and also insulate it.

[Simpo Two]

Isn't that a job for the water company?

[cmsapms]

Simpo Two said:

Isn't that a job for the water company?

Unfortunately not! We live at the top of a private lane. The properties are all >250 years old, and fed by lead pipe from the water company stopcock in the road about 90 yards away. The water company's responsibility ends there apparently.

Anyway, I managed to find what I was looking for. It helps if you know what to search for. I was searching on words/phrases like "stopcock", "cover" and "inspection chamber" with no success. I should have been searching for "stoptap box" and "civils" to find this.

Thanks for all the suggestions people.

[Simpo Two]

cmsapms said:

We live at the top of a private lane. The properties are all >250 years old, and fed by lead pipe from the water company stopcock in the road about 90 yards away. The water company's responsibility ends there apparently.

I hadn't realised the 'proper' stopcock was elsewhere; house ones are usually inside. As you say, anything after the proper one is up to you.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 7th October 09:39