WaterSafe has issued a reminder to UK businesses and facilities managers to locate and check their stop tap when the clocks go forward on Sunday 29 March.
This comes as a survey of 500 businesses reveals that 14 per cent of UK business owners needed a plumber to fix a faulty stop tap in the last year.
The research also shows that some sectors fared worse than others, with almost 1 in 4 science and technology firms calling a plumber about this issue:
- Science, technology, and research: 23 per cent
- Education and the non-profit sector: 21 per cent
- Engineering, manufacturing, and construction: 17 per cent
- Business, finance, and professional services: 14 per cent
- Hospitality, leisure, and tourism: 9 per cent
- Transport and logistics: 9 per cent
- Healthcare and social services: 7 per cent
Stop taps, also known as stop cocks or stop valves, are often located under the kitchen sink, but on business premises may also be found in plant rooms, utility cupboards, basements, or near the property boundary.
WaterSafe recommends that facilities managers ensure all relevant staff know where the stop tap is located and are confident they can operate it in an emergency by gently turning it off and back on again - and doing so every six months. The clock changes in spring and autumn provide a natural prompt to do this.
Jonathan Samuel, Managing Director of WaterSafe, says, "Stop tap awareness is a simple but important part of resilience when it comes to plumbing emergencies on business premises.
"The research shows that businesses across a wide range of sectors are already dealing with reactive callouts for faulty stop taps. In many cases, a simple routine check would have identified the issue before it became a potential emergency.
"We're asking businesses to test their stop tap twice a year - once when the clocks go forward in spring, and again when they go back in autumn.
"It's also worth making sure that more than one member of staff knows where it is, so there's always someone who can act quickly if a pipe bursts and you need to turn the water off quickly.
"If the stop tap is stuck, stiff, or showing signs of leaking, don't leave it. Contact a WaterSafe-registered plumber to have it inspected and repaired."
Many stop tap failures develop gradually. A simple twice-yearly check can identify problems - such as stiffness or minor leaks - before they require a plumber.
WaterSafe advises that lever-type valves should be left fully open, while screw-down stop taps should be turned back half a turn after fully opening, to prevent seizing.
If a stop tap is difficult to turn, fails to shut off fully, or shows signs of passing water when closed, arrange for a WaterSafe-registered plumber to inspect it promptly.
Business owners and facilities managers can find their local WaterSafe-registered plumber at www.watersafe.org.uk.
