Mains water stopcock outside won't turn back on! All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[SarahH]

I turned the mains water (outside, under metal flap) off yesterday and now I can't get it to turn back on. It twists but just clicks, like a safety catch on a bottle of bleach.
It's a new style plastic valve so I don't want to use WD40 on it.
Any ideas or is it expensive plumber time?
Thanks
Sarah

[htg engineer]

As long as you haven't damaged it, and it is a problem either through age or manufacturing fault or fair wear and tear - it's not your responsibility. the water board have to provide an external easily accessible easy to operate stop tap by law.

You're responsible from that tap through the garden into the house.

Get them out to repair/replace at no cost to you.

[SarahH]

That's great thanks - they've just told me that I must have over-tightened it but I pointed out that I am a 5'4 32 year old woman not Geoff Capes so they are coming to sort it.
Thanks for your help :)