Guides · Emergencies
Simon's Town sits on a narrow strip of level ground between the mountain and False Bay. It is home to South Africa's oldest naval base, and the Historical Mile along St George's Street still has buildings more than 150 years old. Plumbing in a town like that has two things working on it: the age of the houses, and the salt in the air.
What is different about plumbing in Simon's Town
- Old houses, patched over the years. Pipework in older buildings is often a patchwork of repairs from different decades, and access can be tight on steep sites reached by lanes and steps. We tell you upfront what access the job needs, and we write down what we find.
- Salt air on metal. Geyser valves, garden taps, shower mixers and exposed fittings corrode faster by the sea. Our guide to salt air, geysers, taps and electrics in Simon's Town lists the signs to act on.
- A dripping safety valve. A safety valve that drips all the time can mean the valve has failed or that the system pressure is too high. Either way it needs a plumber to look at it.
- Leaks you can't see. A tap or toilet that runs on, a damp patch, or a water bill that climbs without explanation is the usual first sign. Our guide to hidden leaks and water bills shows how to read your meter.
- Blocked drains. Slow drains and gurgling pipes are a job for a drain camera rather than guesswork. See blocked drains and tree roots.
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.
- Can't stop the water? Call us on 074 490 3100, day or night. Emergencies carry no after-hours charge, and we tell you how soon someone can be with you before we set off.
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 Simon's Town
We do inverter and battery work, and we also install solar panels. On a sea-facing roof, frames, fixings and exposed parts need corrosion-resistant materials. 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 Simon's Town
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, recorded on site in our own app. See gas and beetle certificates in the Southern Suburbs for the other two.
Plumbing around Simon's Town
We work in Simon's Town and across the South Peninsula, from Fish Hoek to Scarborough, on one flat call-out rate. Neighbours have their own guides: plumber in Muizenberg and Glencairn and Clovelly. 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 Simon's Town 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.
Why does my geyser safety valve keep dripping?
A safety valve that drips all the time can mean the valve has failed or that the system pressure is too high. It needs a plumber to check it.
Do you do inverter and battery work in Simon's Town?
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 Simon's Town?
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.