outside water mains shut off??

[pekemoon]

Hi there,
just been to a property to install new stopcock and make changes to fit a dishwasher. Thought it would be a good idea to check outside and look if there would be any extra problems rising... looked for the cover and found that nearly every house had the round cover with a meter and little plastic lever to shut off the water, the house where i was doing the work had a small 6 inch square metal plate that says “water” on the path however it was full of sand and when I dug into it couldn't find a tap at the bottom, I could just make out a square bit that might need a special tool to operate? Are these tools around to shut off these valves or do I need to call the waterboard to come and do it if so, will they charge for this(thuink i might now the answer to this one)

Any advice more than welcome

 

[PlumbBobBob]

you can get stopcock keys to fit these they have different changeable ends to fit several different types mine cost about £25 i think

steve

 

[pekemoon]

Thanks Steve I presume any plumbing merchant will do

 

[PlumbBobBob]

yes or screwfix/toolstation

steve

 

[Bernie2]

They where quite common at one time. But they came in all different sizes. Also they are usually quarter turn i.e turn the water key one quarter turn from the open position to shut off.