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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 19, 2024 22:17:22 GMT
As per the title. Stepmum had a water meter installed 6 weeks ago and was asked for a reading by Severn Trent. I took the reading myself. 9 cubic meters in 6 weeks sounds excessive to me. She lives on her own, has showers, not baths, so doesn’t use much water at all. I’ve been up and checked today. Watched the meter for a good half hour and it didn’t move. So I’m wondering how accurate these meters are ? According to Severn Trent she’ll be using around 76 c/m per year which puts it in a high usage range. Seems strange.
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Post by tomplum on Feb 19, 2024 22:46:52 GMT
Those meters are for the company not the consumer, Ask them to take it out if they won't, get a plumber or you, if you can , by pass it,  |
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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 20, 2024 12:59:25 GMT
Cheers Tom, but how accurate are they ? Are there known cases of meters being inaccurate?
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Post by crowsfoot on Feb 20, 2024 18:20:37 GMT
Everyone just assumes that they are 100% JJ.
I can honestly say that I've never come across a complaint about water meters not recording the correct rate of usage yet it must be possible for some of them to be faulty.
Could any toilet overflows be running during the night JJ?
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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 21, 2024 2:05:41 GMT
I checked the toilet overflow and the water level is stopping in the cistern at least 3/4” below the overflow. Overflow is completely dry btw. I’m going up again on Friday so will check everything again. ( even dropped the waste on the shower to check the pipes underneath it ( I took the bath out last year and replaced with a shower tray ) 😉😉
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Post by crowsfoot on Feb 21, 2024 11:23:19 GMT
If the cisterns under 22 years old it could be running internally into the WC pan.
Has she any taps that are not fully shutting off and could be secretly running back along the spout down the tap and onto the fixture then down the plughole undetected?
Both of these are very common issues.
The water board will investigate high water usage complaints.
I was once called to a property with the same issue. They had two toilets and one was never used and had become a store/rubbish collection room.
"Oh we never use the other toilet" said the tenant.
After emptying years and years of clutter out of the smallest room I eventually got to the unused toilet, I lifted the cistern lid and found the ball-valve internally discharging into the pan!!
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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 21, 2024 11:30:11 GMT
Stepmum’s toilet has an external overflow to the outside of the house. Further investigation needed I reckon 😉
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Post by crowsfoot on Feb 21, 2024 13:06:54 GMT
Give it a good go JJ.
Even though the overflow as been externally connected it may still have an internal overflow syphon fitted inside.
Put all the plugs in JJ and see if any water collects in the bottom of any of the fixtures.
To test for a underground service burst hold a screwdriver to the kitchen cold tap metal to metal and place your ear on the handle put your finger in the other ear and listen for a hissing noise it may be faint or loud, if you can hear a noise it's the service leaking.
Good luck JJ (let us know).
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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 21, 2024 22:17:42 GMT
The toilet doesn’t have an internal overflow. I’ve checked the bowl when it hasn’t been flushed for a few hours and it’s totally dry. I’ve done the holding a screwdriver against a cold water pipe when nothings being used and can’t hear anything. Now wonder if there’s something leaking overnight when the water pressure is a tad higher, then stopping during the daytime when it’s a bit lower ?
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Post by crowsfoot on Feb 22, 2024 10:03:38 GMT
That's another popular shout, push fits can do exactly this if they've not been locked on.
Feed and Expansion tanks might also run in the night due to higher water pressure if she has them.
I was thinking in bed last night about this and I thought if you could hold a mirror underneath the taps spouts you can normally see the water marks underneath if they indeed have been running back and secretly discharging into the basin or sink.
I was once called to a job were the tenant had had a high water meter bill and she said it couldn't possibly be this high because she's not been living in the property for months then adding her neighbour has a key and keeps an eye on things whilst she's away.
After doing all the checks I could think of and finding nothing wrong I highly suspected that the neighbour with the key had accidently left a tap running (I had to keep my thoughts to myself though).
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Post by dickpuller on Feb 22, 2024 13:07:48 GMT
That's another popular shout, push fits can do exactly this if they've not been locked on. Feed and Expansion tanks might also run in the night due to higher water pressure if she has them. I was thinking in bed last night about this and I thought if you could hold a mirror underneath the taps spouts you can normally see the water marks underneath if they indeed have been running back and secretly discharging into the basin or sink. I was once called to a job were the tenant had had a high water meter bill and she said it couldn't possibly be this high because she's not been living in the property for months then adding her neighbour has a key and keeps an eye on things whilst she's away. After doing all the checks I could think of and finding nothing wrong I highly suspected that the neighbour with the key had accidently left a tap running (I had to keep my thoughts to myself though). C’mon!! It’s human nature, you’d be nipping in next door for a Bath or a shite - if you were on a Water Meter in your own gaff!! We’re not on Water Meters her in Jockoland. The amount of rain we get is horrendous, they’d be have a fucking cheek charging us for water!! Yet, bottled water in Supermarkets is as expensive as Petrol. It’s a fucking crazy world we live in!! We drink water straight from the Tap here, visitors from other countries are amazed by this👍👍 Southern Spain has not had any real rain for 3 years!!!.......... |
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Post by joinerjohn on Feb 23, 2024 1:25:31 GMT
Stepmum has a combi boiler ( only three years old and the boiler was serviced in January). I’ve had a look and there’s no leaks there either. So no F&E tanks in the attic. ( that’s where the combi is anyway ) I will check the toilet again as I’ve realised we have a similar toilet flush mechanism that does overflow into the bowl ) 👍
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Feb 26, 2024 12:55:37 GMT
We’ve all had water meters fitted at our house last year. Didn’t have a choice. They’re not live on the meter at present. Still billed. I’ve just had my yearly invoice for 2024/25 & it’s gone up (no surprise there).
I now have to pay £58 per month which I think is maybe nearly £20 too much as it’s only me & her indoors most of the time, Rct Junior is at Uni most of the year. We have mostly showers, her indoors had a bath sometimes, otherwise it’s just us with normal usage.
I’m hoping that when the water meter goes live this year my monthly payment will be £40 max.
Id query it for your MIL as she should be a low user.
Cheers all
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Post by crowsfoot on Feb 26, 2024 20:32:49 GMT
Keep us informed Rocky it's always good to get info direct.
As far as I know if WB fit a meter there is no obligation for you to go on it.
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Feb 26, 2024 20:37:01 GMT
Keep us informed Rocky it's always good to get info direct. As far as I know if WB fit a meter there is no obligation for you to go on it. I’ve been in a sparodic WhatsApp chap with them this afternoon that had ceased until tomorrow. I’ll let you know what they say. I think for us the water meter is a cheaper option but for others here with 2/3/4 kids plus adults it might cost them more. I’ll keep you updated tomorrow |
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