To change washer I need to turn off the hot water; I have a traditional system (hot water cistern with a header tank). Immediately below the header tank is a tap(stop cock) on a pipe which comes out of the bottom of the header tank and appears to enter the hot water cistern at the bottom. If I turn off water at the mains and turn off the stop cock at the base of the header tank (clockwise or anti clockwise?) will it be sfe to dismantle the hot water tap and replace the washer?

H. Thorpe, November 2007

how to replace hot water tap washer

Ayo, February 2011

tap hard to turn not much water coming out

richard, January 2011

You have described your system well, if the stop cock you mention below the header tank has a red wheel type head, this is whats known in the trade as a gate vale, when turned off
(in the clockwise direction ) they stop the flow of water to the hot tank allowing work to be carried out on the down stream pipe work. WARNING!! if the system is old and the valve is stiff due to lack of use, these are prone to snapping in the off position and then require replacement, suggest you just turn off at the main stop cock, open the hot tap until it runs dry and then carry out the repair.

wally ladd, November 2007