Water meter whizzing round

lindeyb

Posting this on behalf of my mum. She's recently moved into a smaller property and has recently received her first water bill. The bill is for 4 times that of her usual bills in her old house (which was also on a meter). She's taken a look at the meter which seems to be whizzing round! The property used to belong to her mother so she knows that the bills have historically been a fraction of this current bill.

Yesterday, for example, she was out all day and the meter moved on by a large number of units.

She is worrying herself sick about what is going on and has got the Water people coming out tomorrow to test the meter (which was installed 12 years ago). They've told her (over the phone) that the meter isn't faulty because faulty meters only go slower not quicker. Surely if that is the case no one would ever report a faulty meter because their consumption would be metered as less than it actually is and their bills would be lower?

She's hearing so many scary stories from her friends who have had to have their whole property re-piped because they had a leak that no one could find (and she's just had her whole house decorated and carpeted!).

Any advice on what she should do would be very gratefully received.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

If the meter is spinning when no water is being used the most likely explanation is a leak I am afraid.

If the meter is in her property(and not outside) it would be difficult to miss the leak as it would be huge amounts of water.

If the meter is outside then the leak will be in the pipe leading to the house. Whilst technically this is her responsibility, most water companies will repair one leak free of charge.

tosco12

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum.

If the meter is spinning when no water is being used the most likely explanation is a leak I am afraid.

If the meter is in her property(and not outside) it would be difficult to miss the leak as it would be huge amounts of water.

If the meter is outside then the leak will be in the pipe leading to the house. Whilst technically this is her responsibility, most water companies will repair one leak free of charge.

Except south west water, who have the highest bills charges in the country, I know because i have aleak and they were not interested except to send me a pack for plumber call outs

deanos

Turn off the stopcock inside and look at the meter if its still spinning the leak is between the meter and the stopcock, as Cardew said if it was inside you would know about it,