Allotments 4 All

General => The Shed => Topic started by: Digeroo on November 14, 2009, 13:07:54

Title: Water leak alarms
Post by: Digeroo on November 14, 2009, 13:07:54
I have just got a water meter.  Bit worried now about getting a large bill if there is a leak or I forget to turn off the hose pipe.  So thought I would get a leak alarm.  Does anyone have any experience of these?

Also how much do people pay for water for two.



Title: Re: Water leak alarms
Post by: ACE on November 14, 2009, 14:00:20
We had them enforced on us years ago as a trial to see if it worked. The water company soon wanted to go back to the rateable way as most of us worked out cheaper. I do not take any precautions like the brick in the cystern and all the water saving gizmos. The only thing I have done is install a shower as I prefer them. For two of you it is deffo cheaper, providing  your water company have not racked the meter charges up.

Never used an alarm but I have left the hose running in the pond by mistake. Didn't make much difference.
Title: Re: Water leak alarms
Post by: PurpleHeather on November 14, 2009, 14:54:03
Get one of those 'keys' for the mains, for when you go on holiday is my tip. You are not supposed to use them so don't tell the water company.

My neighbour pays £20 a month for her water from the meter. On her own but tells me she has a bath every day and she uses the washer a few times a week. Another friend says that with four of them it works out to £500 a year, they have a new house so had no option.

Ours is metered on the plot but it is turned of October - April, mostly in case vandals come and turn on a tap when no one is around.  Works out to about £10 per plot for the year.

It does not use up a high cost worth  if you forget to switch off the hose pipe. But it is annoying.

The leak to worry about is one happening between the meter and the house, they can cost a bomb to trace and get repaired but the utilities do an insurance if you want to take it out It is 99p a month or £11.88 a year (just got a letter inviting us to take it out this week).  It was twice that last time we got a letter but don't think many people bother to take it up.
Title: Re: Water leak alarms
Post by: grannyjanny on November 14, 2009, 15:03:03
A friend had one fitted as they were down to 3, 2 adults & a teenage daughter. $ bedroomed 2 bathroomed house. The bill went down to £30 a month. Son came home & it went up by £2 a month.
Title: Re: Water leak alarms
Post by: tomatoada on November 14, 2009, 16:10:31
When we moved we changed from unmetered to metered and our bill halved.  Same size house.  So I was pleased.
Glad to hear I am not the only one who leaves the hose on.
Title: Re: Water leak alarms
Post by: Digeroo on November 15, 2009, 00:56:54
QuoteGlad to hear I am not the only one who leaves the hose on

What happens is that I turn off the hose at the end, and then forget the tap, and after a while the pressure of the water means the rose falls off the end of the hose. 

Quotethe utilities do an insurance if you want to take it out It is 99p a month or £11.88 a year (just got a letter inviting us to take it out this week).
Like the sound of this insurance. Though I already pay for a water and sewage agreement, will check if this is included. 

I hope that mine will be half the price.  That would be perfick.  I have told my OH that he might have to pee in the compost bin. ;D ;D ;D