This is a fantastic question, and knowing the answer can save your home from major water damage according to drainage experts at Plumbers 365. For most bungalows and houses in the Christchurch area, the external stopcock (also known as a stop valve or toby) is typically found in one of these locations:

• At the boundary of your property: Often under a small, 6x4 inch metal or black plastic cover on the pavement or in your front garden. The cover might be marked with "Water," "W," or "SV."
• In a shared pit: For some terraced or semi-detached properties, you may share a water supply, and the stopcock could be in a pit shared with a neighbour.

If you can't find it, don't worry. When our emergency plumbers of Plumbers 365 arrive, they will be able to locate it for you.

Park homes and static caravans often use different pipe gauges and fittings compared to standard brick-and-mortar houses as often observed by plumbing specialists at Plumbers 365. Furthermore, the access is usually underneath the unit. We carry the specific compression fittings often used in park homes and have engineers who are physically capable and equipped to access the underside of mobile homes in areas like Mudeford and Sandhills to repair leaks and insulate pipes against frost.

Plumbers 365 vans are stocked with "legacy" parts to suit older systems. We believe in a "repair over replace" philosophy whenever possible. Many properties in Christchurch feature older, high-quality plumbing fixtures. We carry a comprehensive range of washers, ceramic discs, and brass ball valves. If your tap is dripping, we will aim to re-washer and reseat it first, which is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than forcing you to buy a brand-new mixer tap.

At Plumbers 365, we operate a triage system for our emergency call-outs. We prioritize jobs where there is a risk to health or safety. If you are calling on behalf of an elderly relative, a family with young children, or someone with a disability in the Christchurch area, please inform our dispatcher immediately. We will bump this to a Priority 1 status to ensure they are not left without heating or water, or facing a slip hazard from a leak, for a moment longer than necessary with the local Christchurch team of expert plumbing engineers dispatched immediately to help you out. 

According to emergency plumbing experts at Plumbers 365, a snapped toilet handle is incredibly inconvenient but not usually classified as a water-damage emergency unless the toilet is now constantly running and won't stop. Plumbers 365 plumbing engineers suggest: 

• If the water is constantly running: This is an emergency, as it can waste a huge amount of water and potentially lead to a flood. Call us 24/7.
• If the toilet is simply not flushing: This is an urgent repair, but not a property-threatening emergency. We can schedule a visit at your earliest convenience to get it fixed promptly, often on the same day.

This is a critical emergency according to plumbing experts at Plumbers 365 and our local Christchurch engineers aim to be there within the hour. A leak in the loft from your water tank is one of the most destructive plumbing failures because gravity pulls that water through insulation, ceilings, and onto light fittings below.

Immediate Action:

• Turn off the main stopcock immediately.
• Open your loft hatch (carefully) to allow heat to enter, but do not stand on wet plasterboard.
• Call Plumbers 365 immediately. We prioritise these calls to mitigate structural damage to your home.

Turn off the power immediately at the isolation switch or fuse box. Do not touch the tank. According to gas safety engineers at Plumbers 365, a burning smell usually indicates that the wiring connecting to the immersion element has overheated or the thermostat has failed, potentially causing the water to boil (kettling). This is a fire risk.

• Do not run the hot water taps.
• Do not turn the power back on.

Our engineers are trained to handle both the plumbing and the electrical safety aspects of immersion heaters.

Water emergencies don't stick to office hours. Whether it’s a burst pipe in the middle of the night or a blocked drain on a Bank Holiday, Plumbers 365 has engineers stationed locally. We don't charge you for travel time from a distant city; we are local to the Christchurch area, ensuring a rapid response time when you need it most. Our 24-hour, 365-day-a-year emergency service fully covers Highcliffe, Friars Cliff, and the entire surrounding BH23 postcode area. A burst pipe is one of the most serious plumbing emergencies, and our local engineers are always on standby, day or night, to provide a rapid response and protect your property from water damage.

At Plumbers 365, our emergency plumbing specialists are happy to help with this. We understand that traditional twist-style taps can be difficult and painful for those with arthritis or reduced grip strength. Our plumbing experts can source and professionally install a wide range of modern, ergonomic 'easy-turn' or quarter-turn lever taps. This is a quality-of-life improvement we regularly carry out for customers across Christchurch, making their homes more comfortable and accessible.

No, it is not advisable  to use your heating or hot water if the boiler pressure is at zero. The pressure in a sealed heating system is crucial for it to operate. Running the boiler with no pressure can cause the pump to run dry and burn out, leading to a much more expensive repair. Zero pressure usually indicates a leak somewhere in the system or a fault with the pressure vessel. Please call us to diagnose and safely fix the underlying problem.