Guides · Emergencies
Wynberg sits in the Southern Suburbs between Kenilworth and Plumstead, and Wikipedia calls it a major transport hub for the region. Main Road runs through it, and the Southern Line railway from Cape Town to Simon's Town stops here. The area's farming history goes back to 1683, when land along the Liesbeek River was granted and the farm was named De Oude Wijnbergh, "Old Wine Mountain". Wynberg was its own municipality from 1886 to 1927, and the 1890s saw a municipal water supply from Table Mountain and a waterborne sewage system installed. Homes in a suburb with that much history have plumbing that has been added to and altered over many years.
What is different about plumbing in Wynberg
- Pipework of different ages. Where a house has been extended or renovated more than once, old and new plumbing often sit side by side. We look at what is actually in the walls, ceiling and under the floor rather than assume, and we tell you what we find in writing.
- 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.
- Flats and cottages. Shared pipes and geysers raise the question of who is responsible for what. Our guide to who fixes what in flats explains the usual split.
- Blocked drains. Slow drains and gurgling pipes are a job for a drain camera rather than guesswork. See blocked drains and tree roots.
- 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.
Old wiring goes with old plumbing
Wynberg is known for its older houses, and wiring in them is often as mixed as the pipework. If you are planning work on both, read our guide to old wiring in Wynberg's historic homes.
Inverters and batteries in Wynberg
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 Wynberg
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 gas and beetle certificates in the Southern Suburbs.
Plumbing around Wynberg
We work in Wynberg, Kenilworth, Plumstead, Claremont and across the Southern Suburbs and South Peninsula. Neighbours have their own guides: plumber in Claremont and plumber in Constantia. 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 Wynberg 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 Wynberg?
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 Wynberg?
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.