how can i fix a stopcock !?

I did this once - never again - but I was unlucky...

Kitchen stopcock leaking - turned off main cock in road outside - removed old stopcock in kitchen and fitted new - did unions up tightly and turned on water in road. Turned on kitchen stopcock and water water everywhere. On examination I had been supplied with a split nut - eventually found a new union nut and fitted it. Turned on water in road outside and the waterboard's stopcock fell apart. Fountain of water gushing out and running down the road. Team of chaps dug hole - stood in it and replaced their tap. Total time 5 hours...

Good luck...

Peccavi
June 2009