If you have ever had to find a traditional brass stop valve in a property, let alone turn it off to isolate the water supply in a hurry, you will know the problem. The valve is probably located in some out of the way position under the sink and at arms length so that you can only just reach it with your fingers – meanwhile the leak you want to stop continues. The situation is bad enough if you are able bodied but if you are elderly, infirm, disabled or just weak you will have to seek outside help.

Unless they are used frequently (which they are not), brass stop valves can easily scale up, seize and fail – especially in hard water areas. Plumbers have known about these problems for years and householders only wake up to the fact when there is a leak that cannot be quickly stopped and an insurance claim that rapidly mounts up.

Let's face it the design from the 19th century is well past its sell by date and the more recent designs are not much better.

Now 21st century innovation makes the problem a thing of the past. SureStop remote and direct water switches make turning the water supply on and off as simple as flicking a switch.

By using proven servo valve technology SureStop uses the pressure of the water supply to switch the valve on & off via a large rocker switch. No electricity or additional power supplies are required. Best of all the remote version can have the rocker switch mounted up to 8 metres (by using extension kit SSRX4) away from the valve which is fitted into the water supply.

It can be likened to the water equivalent of the miniature circuit breaker board versus the old fuse box. But because it works without electrics, it is simple and inexpensive to install, and will let you provide zoned switching of your water supplies throughout your property.

Above all, it is about peace of mind – to be able to switch the water off easily in any situation, at the flick of a switch.