They're perhaps one of the simplest fittings ever.

You just need to choose an reasonably good bit of pipe, and give it a good clean with wire wool.

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it's more turning the mains water off from the street that worries me, don't i need a special 'key' type thing ?

When you say street I assume you mean outside somewhere, like in the pavement.

Depends what you have, if you're on a meter it should be easy.

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no meter here, maybe i'll get my screwdriver and go levering up some bits out the front

Yes get a torch and clean it out then let us know what you have, could be a square or crutch head.

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