A higher water bill does not, by itself, prove that a pipe has burst. Start by separating a billing change from increased water consumption, then gather evidence that helps locate any unexplained use. This guide is for property owners in Pretoria and Centurion who want a clear next step without guessing where to dig.
1. Compare the water volume, not only the rand amount
Put the latest bill beside an earlier one and write down the reading dates, the number of days covered and the billed kilolitres. Note whether each reading is marked actual or estimated. A longer billing period or a catch-up reading can make two totals difficult to compare.
For a fairer comparison, divide kilolitres by the number of days. For example, 18 kL over 30 days equals 0.6 kL a day, while 24 kL over 40 days is the same daily consumption. These are illustrative figures, not a benchmark for what your household should use. Check charges and adjustments separately if the volume is similar but the amount payable has changed.
2. Make a list of water use that changed
- Extra occupants, visitors or a tenant moving in.
- Garden irrigation, a pool top-up or building work.
- A toilet that seems to refill between uses.
- A backup tank that refills automatically.
- An outbuilding, shared supply or another unit connected to the meter.
Ask everyone who uses the property before assuming that unexpected consumption is a hidden leak. In a complex, first establish whether the reading is from your own meter or a shared one.
3. Record a quiet-period meter reading
If the meter is visible and safely accessible, photograph the complete reading and time. Choose a period with no intended water use and account for appliances, irrigation and automatic tank refilling. Compare it with a later photograph. The EPA recommends a two-hour no-use comparison as a leak-screening check. Movement during a genuinely quiet period warrants investigation; the reading does not identify the fault. See EPA WaterSense leak guidance.
Use the meter’s actual unit and decimal markings. Do not assume that every digit represents a whole kilolitre. A photograph of the display is often more useful to the plumber than a reading copied without its units. Do not dismantle the meter or its enclosure.
4. Turn the reading into useful information
Suppose a meter records 12 litres during 30 minutes of unexplained use. That is an average of 24 litres per hour. If that exact rate continued all day, it would total 576 litres; over 30 days, 17,280 litres, or 17.28 kL. This calculation describes a scenario, not a forecast: intermittent leaks and automatic refilling may change the rate.
Keep both the original readings and the calculation. Repeated observations at different times are more informative than one dramatic monthly estimate.
5. Record clues without opening walls
From normally accessible areas, note persistent damp, staining, audible toilet refilling, visible drips and an unexpectedly wet patch outside. Record when each sign appears. A mark after shower use and a damp patch present throughout the day are different observations to report. Neither is enough to diagnose the cause remotely.
A meter that remains still during one check does not rule out a leak that occurs only while an appliance or fixture is operating. If damp is spreading, do not postpone an assessment just because one meter check looked normal.
What to send when booking
- Your suburb and whether the meter serves only your property.
- Two dated meter photographs and the elapsed time.
- The billed consumption and reading dates, with private account details removed if not needed.
- Photos of visible symptoms and a note of any recent repairs.
- Access arrangements for the meter, garden and outbuildings.
Common questions
Does a high bill mean I need underground leak detection?
Not automatically. Explain the evidence first so the assessment can consider visible fixtures, automatic water use, billing records and hidden supply lines.
Should I excavate where the ground is wet?
Arrange an assessment before excavation. The visible wet area is a clue, not a confirmed repair location.
What happens after a repair?
Ask what was repaired and how it was checked. Keep the report and compare subsequent readings under similar conditions. A repaired leak does not automatically correct a billing dispute.
For help, view leak detection, plumbing leak repairs or our service areas. WhatsApp 123 Plumber Pretoria with your observations.