Finding the stopcock in an Edinburgh flat
Last reviewed 2 October 2026 by the Edinburgh Plumbing Quotes team
The short answer
In Edinburgh flats the stopcock is often not under the kitchen sink. Check under the sink, then the bathroom (behind a bath panel or boxing), hall cupboards, and the cupboard by the front door. In some tenements the valve for your flat is in the common stair or the basement, and older blocks can have one supply shared by several flats. Turn it clockwise to close. If you cannot find it, or it serves the whole stair, call Scottish Water (24 hours) on 0800 0778 778 for advice.
Step by step
- Check under the kitchen sink, behind the bath panel and in any boxed-in pipework.
- Look in hall and entrance cupboards, especially one near where pipes come into the flat.
- Check the common stair or basement for valves labelled by flat, but only turn your own.
- Turn it clockwise until it stops, then open a cold tap to check.
- When you find it, tell your downstairs neighbour where it is too. Leaks travel down.
Shared supplies
Some older tenements share one supply pipe between flats. Turning that valve off cuts water to your neighbours, so knock on doors first unless it is an emergency. Repairs to shared pipes are usually a common repair for all the owners, often arranged through the factor.
If it is seized
Old brass stopcocks in Victorian and Edwardian flats often seize. Don’t force them with a wrench. A plumber can fit a quarter-turn valve next to it, and that is worth doing when you next have work done.
When to get help
If water is coming through to another flat and you cannot stop it, request urgent quotes and contact your factor or neighbours straight away.
General guidance only. If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, call the emergency services first.