Guides · Large homes
Bishopscourt is small, with only about 350 homes, but most of them stand on a plot of more than 4,000 square metres. The suburb takes its name from the residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, borders Kirstenbosch, and is known for its oak-lined avenues and its many consulates. Big houses on big grounds bring plumbing and electrical needs that an ordinary suburban home doesn't have.
Hot water that takes too long to arrive
In a large house, the bathroom furthest from the geyser can be a long pipe run away. Every time a tap opens, the cold water sitting in that pipe has to run out first, which wastes water and time. There are good fixes:
- A hot water circulation loop, with a small pump that keeps hot water moving through the pipes so it arrives quickly.
- A second geyser or heat pump closer to the far wing of the house.
- Proper lagging on the hot pipes, so the water stays hot on its way.
Sizing hot water for a big household
Several bathrooms, guest suites and a staff cottage can outrun a single geyser, especially on a cold morning. A heat pump or a solar geyser with the right storage can carry that load for far less electricity than a bank of electric geysers. We size the system to how the house is actually used, not just to the number of bathrooms.
Solar power, batteries and pool pumps
Many large homes added solar panels, inverters and batteries during load-shedding. All of it forms part of the electrical installation, and it has to be covered by the electrical certificate when the house is sold. In Cape Town, a grid-connected system should also be registered with the City. Pool pumps, gate motors, garden lighting and outbuildings add to the list of what gets inspected.
Electric fences and security
Security matters on large, private properties, and electric fences are common. An electric fence needs its own certificate when a property is sold, separate from the ordinary electrical certificate. We install electric fences and can arrange the fence certificate alongside the others, so it doesn't hold up a transfer.
Oak roots and long drain runs
The same oaks that line Bishopscourt's avenues send roots a long way. On large properties, long drain runs to the municipal connection give roots plenty of joints to find. If a drain keeps blocking, a camera inspection shows where the roots are getting in. Our blocked drain guide explains more.
How we work in Bishopscourt
You get a photographed report, recorded on site in our own app, with an itemised quote before any work starts. If you're selling, we arrange every certificate in one visit. Here's how a transfer runs with us. We cover Bishopscourt and the neighbouring Southern Suburbs on one flat call-out rate.
Common questions
Why does hot water take so long to reach some of my taps?
The cold water sitting in a long pipe run has to drain before hot water arrives. A circulation loop, a second heat source nearer the far bathrooms, or better lagging all shorten the wait.
Is my solar system covered by the electrical certificate?
It must be. Panels, inverters and batteries connected to the house wiring are part of the electrical installation. In Cape Town, grid-connected systems should also be registered with the City.
Does an electric fence need a separate certificate when I sell?
Yes. An electric fence needs its own certificate at transfer, separate from the electrical certificate for the house.