i have a leaking stop cock which needs changing.to do this i need to isolate the water supply to my house. how do i find the shut off valve and do i need to inform the water company?

Ricky damp floor, April 2009

A million dollar question, that one...the water board stopcock could be on the path, in the road, or anywhere outside the front of your house. If you can't see it, the water board have various pieces of gear that will trace it for you, and normally it is free. You'll need a proper stopcock key though, available through the usual builders merchants.

John, April 2009