First of all you have to find the stop tap in the street which feeds your house. You usually need a special key to fit it. However if you get a length of 2x1 timber and cut a V out at the end this will do the same job. Once you have turned it off check that no water is running from any taps or the toilet doesn't fill when you flush it. All this has to be done with your stop tap in the house being open. Once you are satisfied that no water can't run then you can start on your stop tap. Get your spanner and begin to undo the big nut where the shaft goes through. When you have unscrewed it fully you will see the black rubber washer. Replace it with a new one, I would use a little silicone grease on the washer before I put it back together. Now turn your stop tap till it is closed and all the other taps in the house. Now you can turn the stop tap in the street back on. Now go back to your stop tap in the house and turn that on. Check that you don't have any leaks at your stop tap and job well done.
Jeff, March 2009
