Guides · Emergencies
Kommetjie is a small town on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. Wikipedia says the name is Afrikaans for "small basin", and that the town lies at the southern end of the long wide beach that runs north towards Chapman's Peak and Noordhoek. It was founded in 1902, when a consortium of businessmen developed the area as a residential suburb of Cape Town, and Wikipedia notes that electricity and municipal running water only came in the 1960s. The Slangkop Lighthouse, about 33 metres tall and first lit in 1919, stands on the beach. A town with that history has plumbing and electrical needs of its own.
What is different about plumbing in Kommetjie
- Houses of different ages. Because the town has been built up over more than a century, with services added later, one street can hold cottages and newer homes side by side. Pipework and wiring that was altered over the years can be a mix of old and new, so we check what is actually there rather than assume.
- Leaks you can't see. A tap or toilet that runs on, or a water bill that climbs without explanation, is the usual first sign. Our guide to hidden leaks and water bills explains how to check the meter.
- Holiday and second homes. Wikipedia describes Kommetjie as a quiet town suitable for camping and getaways. A house that stands empty for weeks can leak unnoticed, so closing the water at the main valve before you leave is a sensible habit. See our guide to holiday homes, leaks and geysers.
- Geysers. If your geyser is old, a drip from the pipework or the tank is the sign to act on. Our guide to a leaking geyser explains what to do while you wait.
Burst pipe or geyser: the first ten minutes
- Close the water at the main valve or the meter. For a leaking geyser, closing the cold water valve into it is enough.
- Switch off the geyser at the distribution board, unless the board is wet. If water is near plugs or lights, stay away and call us.
- Open a tap to drain the pipes, protect furniture and electronics, and take photos for your insurer.
Whose side of the meter is it?
As a rule, the City looks after the supply up to and including the meter, and you look after the pipes after it. Water coming up through the verge or from the meter itself is a City report. A leak inside your boundary is a plumber's job.
Inverters and batteries in Kommetjie
We do inverter and battery work. If you are thinking about backup power, start with what an inverter and battery cost, and read how an installed system is serviced. We do not have a long list of completed inverter installations to point to, so we would rather tell you that plainly and show you the written quote and scope before any work starts.
Selling a house in Kommetjie
When a property is transferred in the City of Cape Town, the seller needs a plumbing (water) certificate of compliance. We arrange plumbing, electrical, gas and beetle inspections together and give you a written report with photos. For the electrical side, read what is inspected before the inspector arrives, and see our page on certificates in Fish Hoek, Noordhoek and Kommetjie.
Plumbing around Kommetjie
We work in Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Fish Hoek and Simon's Town, and across the Southern Suburbs and South Peninsula. Neighbouring Noordhoek has its own guide: plumber in Noordhoek. For anything that isn't an emergency, WhatsApp us on 074 490 3100 or email enquiries@lightningfast.co.za. Office hours are Monday to Friday 07:30 to 17:30 and Saturday 08:00 to 13:00.
Common questions
Do you have a plumber in Kommetjie for emergencies?
Yes. We take emergency calls day and night on 074 490 3100, and emergencies carry no after-hours charge. Our office is in Fish Hoek, and on the phone we tell you how soon someone can be with you.
My water bill has gone up and I can't see a leak. What now?
Close every tap, then look at the meter. If it is still moving, water is going somewhere. Call us and we will trace it.
Do you do inverter and battery work in Kommetjie?
Yes, we do inverter and battery work, and we also install solar panels. We give you a written quote and scope before starting.
Do I need a plumbing certificate to sell in Kommetjie?
Yes. A water installation (plumbing) certificate of compliance is required in the City of Cape Town when a property is transferred. We inspect plumbing, electrical, gas and beetle together and give you a written report with photos.