Water leaks can silently waste water and increase your utility bills. As a homeowner at Mountain Ridge Estate, keeping an eye on your water usage is key to saving both water and money. Drakenstein Municipality encourages residents to monitor their water consumption using the My Municipal Meter app. It’s quick and easy to use. Watch the demonstration video below:
Here are some water saving tips to help you detect hidden leaks:
1. Watch for unusually high water bills. Review your previous water bills and check for any unexplained spikes or unusual usage patterns.
2. Take two meter readings daily. Before bedtime and again in the morning before using any water, check your meter. If it shows usage overnight, you may have a leak.
3. Monitor your water meter. The last red digits on the meter dial should remain stationary if no water is being used, including by appliances like dishwashers or washing machines.
4. Listen for unusual sounds. If no taps or appliances are running, but you still hear water dripping or pipes creaking, it could indicate a leak.
5. Test your toilet cistern. Add food colouring to the cistern and wait. If the colour appears in the toilet bowl without flushing, you likely have a leak.
6. Look for signs of water damage. Discoloration, peeling paint, or water spots on walls, ceilings, or floors could point to hidden leaks.
7. Sniff around for strange smells. A musty or mouldy odour, especially in areas where you can’t find the source, could signal a leak.
8. Check your irrigation system. Ensure it’s sealing properly and there are no leaks in the system fittings.
9. Inspect water-using appliances. Check your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator for any signs of moisture or water damage.
Don’t forget to check outside:
- Look for soft or sagging spots in your yard
- Keep an eye out for wet areas around your home
- Note any wilting or absence of plants near pipes
- Watch for standing water or soggy soil
If you find a leak outside your property, such as in the sidewalk or road, report it immediately to the Drakenstein Municipality at 021 807 4715 or toll-free at 080 131 3553 (available 24/7). By taking these precautions, you can prevent water leaks from draining your wallet and help conserve this vital resource.
Mountain Ridge Estate, in Dal Josaphat, Paarl, offers you the opportunity to be the proud owner of a brand new quality house. With varying stand prices, different house plans and two levels of finishes, a tailor-made home can be built to each new owner’s specific taste and unique circumstances.
House pricing is done to deliberately be ultra competitive. Phases 1, 2 and 3A already sold out is testimony to this.
Mountain Ridge Estate is proudly pre-qualified for the FLISP subsidy. Be sure to contact Own Your Home‘s professional agents for further information.
Own Your Home has helped many South Africans become proud homeowners and we want to do the same for you.