Water usage doubled

AngryPuffin

I have received my water bill and based on the meter readings by my water company my water usage has doubled. There is no reason for it to have doubled and I'm therefore concerned that I have a leak.

I want to check my water meter myself to see if they have taken the correct reading and then to monitor it regularly to check it is going up by the expected amount.

My problem is I can't get to the meter. It is under a metal lid on my neighbour's driveway. I don't have the tools to open the lid and when I went to buy them today, I was told the equipment I wanted was too specialist for them to stock and they didn't know where would.

I've tried contacting the water company but I can't as it's bank holiday but I'll try again tomorrow. Does anyone know if there's a way to tell if there's a leak without looking at the meter as I don't want to pay for a plumber to come out if it's not needed?

Where do I get the specialist tools to open the metal lid so I can check the meter on an ongoing basis? The metal lid is approximately 30cmx45cm, has a big WO on it and seems to have two key slots on it.

Shavuot

AngryPuffin wrote: »

I have received my water bill and based on the meter readings by my water company my water usage has doubled. There is no reason for it to have doubled and I'm therefore concerned that I have a leak.

I want to check my water meter myself to see if they have taken the correct reading and then to monitor it regularly to check it is going up by the expected amount.

My problem is I can't get to the meter. It is under a metal lid on my neighbour's driveway. I don't have the tools to open the lid and when I went to buy them today, I was told the equipment I wanted was too specialist for them to stock and they didn't know where would.

I've tried contacting the water company but I can't as it's bank holiday but I'll try again tomorrow. Does anyone know if there's a way to tell if there's a leak without looking at the meter as I don't want to pay for a plumber to come out if it's not needed?

Where do I get the specialist tools to open the metal lid so I can check the meter on an ongoing basis? The metal lid is approximately 30cmx45cm, has a big WO on it and seems to have two key slots on it.

The equipment you want sounds too specialist.
I don't know where you would buy it from either, if the likes of B&Q, Wickes,Screwfix, Toolstation, etc do not stock them
Perhaps you need to be a water board employee with a special permit to hold such keys?

How about attacking it with a Kango hammer, and then replacing the lid with something you can access?
Ask your neighbour for permission, first !
Sounds like you'll be doing him a favour too.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.



Your current bill is based on actual meter readings, but were the previous bills(not just the last bill) based on estimated readings?


30cm x 45cm seems a large lid for a meter box.

AngryPuffin

Yes, they do an actual meter reading once every six months according to the bills I've been receiving.

From what I understand, it's not just my water meter under the metal lid. From speaking with my neighbour, it seems there are least four (the measurement is an estimate though as it's currently under my neighbour's car so I can't get to it to measure it properly). They have to move their car for the meters to be read but they haven't seen them for themselves, just seen the person from the water company checking.

I think if lifting a lid is too specialist for me, replacing a lid definitely is. I'm also not sure who the lid technically belongs to so I'm not keen on damaging it.

Shavuot

AngryPuffin wrote: »

...I think if lifting a lid is too specialist for me, replacing a lid definitely is. I'm also not sure who the lid technically belongs to so I'm not keen on damaging it.

Any local, competant ground worker should be able to do the necessary work.

Get 3 quotes.

If the lid in on your neighbours land, then it belongs to them.

matelodave

I'm guessing that the lid is capable of supporting a car, so it probably fairly substantial.

In the olden days a couple of manhole keys would be used - just fit in the holes, twist and lift the lid, sliding it out along the ground making sure it didn't fall into the hole.

Nowadays 'elf'n'safety require more complicated tools to get the lids off although they aren't all that special but designed so they dont slip out of the keyhole slots.

I've still got my old manhole keys and they still work. However some driveway lids can be heavy so be careful trying to lift them - you can get them from Screwfix - https://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-manhole-keys-125mm-pack-of-2/14087