Water meter reading access in Ottery St Mary
Looking for professional water meter reading access help in Ottery St Mary? Hembury Contracting provides reliable plumbing services across Ottery St Mary and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins
Location
Ottery St Mary
Can't access your water meter? Cover stuck, buried, or broken? I'll sort it out quickly - clear the chamber, fix or replace the cover, make readings easy.
### When Your Water Meter's Impossible To Read
The **water company sends estimated bills** because neither you nor they can actually access the meter. The cover's buried, stuck shut, or full of mud and water. Or you've no idea where the meter even is.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Estimated water bills are almost always higher than actual usage. Getting regular accurate readings can save you £100-200 a year. Worth sorting meter access properly.
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### Common Water Meter Problems
These are ridiculously common in Devon:
| ✅ Good Access | ❌ Problem Access | |---------------|-----------------| | Cover visible and opens easily | Cover buried under soil/gravel | | Meter chamber dry and clear | Full of water and mud | | Meter readable | Can't see meter at all | | Proper cover fitted | Broken cover or missing |
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### What You Get
**🔧 The Full Service**
| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Locate meter** | Find where it actually is (sometimes not obvious) | | **Clear chamber** | Dig out, pump out water, clean it properly | | **Fix/replace cover** | Repair existing or fit new accessible cover | | **Test** | Make sure you can actually read the meter easily |
**📦 You're Left With** - Easy access to your meter - Clear view of readings - Proper cover fitted - No more estimated bills
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### Pricing Guide
| Issue | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |-------|----------------|------------| | Clear buried cover | 20-30 mins | **£60** | | Replace broken cover | 30-45 mins | **£60-£85** | | Clear flooded chamber | 30-45 mins | **£60-£85** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. New meter cover included if needed (standard size).*
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### Perfect For...
✅ **Estimated bills** - water company can't read meter
✅ **Buried cover** - soil/gravel built up over it
✅ **Broken cover** - cracked, smashed, or missing
✅ **Flooded chamber** - full of water, can't see meter
Why Choose Us for Water meter reading access in Ottery St Mary?
Easy access for readings
No more estimated bills
Fixed or replaced meter cover
Clear meter chamber
What to Expect
### Step 1: Find The Meter If you're not sure where it is, I'll locate it - usually in the pavement outside your property, or sometimes just inside your boundary. Metal detector helps if it's buried. ### Step 2: Clear The Chamber Dig out soil/gravel that's covered it, pump or bail out standing water, clear mud and debris. Get it down to a proper clean chamber again. ### Step 3: Fix/Replace Cover If the cover's salvageable, clean it up and make sure it opens properly. If it's broken or missing, fit a new one - proper water meter cover that seals but opens easily. ### Step 4: Test Access Make sure you can actually lift the cover, see the meter, and take a reading easily. Job done.
Our Ottery St Mary Service Coverage
We cover Ottery St Mary and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Ottery St Mary or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🔧 **Where is my water meter?** Usually in the pavement directly outside your property, or just inside your boundary near the property line. Older properties might not have one at all (you're on unmetered water). Check with your water company if you're not sure. **Reading frequency** - you should read your meter at least every 6 months to submit accurate readings. More often if you're trying to track water usage or check for leaks. **Meter covers** come in various sizes and types. Standard small round ones for single properties, large rectangular ones for commercial or shared meters. I'll match what you had or fit something better. **Standing water in chamber?** This is common in Devon's heavy clay soils - water has nowhere to drain. Some chambers have drainage holes that get blocked. Others just need better sealing covers. I'll advise what'll work best for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water meter reading access in Ottery St Mary
Why can't I access my water meter?
Usually the cover's buried under soil/gravel, stuck shut, broken, or there's so much water/mud in the chamber you can't see the meter. Sometimes people have paved or tarmacked over it without realizing. All fixable.
Is the water meter my responsibility or the water company's?
The meter itself belongs to the water company. But the chamber and cover on your property is usually your responsibility to maintain. If you can't access it for readings, you'll get estimated bills (always higher than actual usage).
Can you fit a new meter cover?
Yes - if the old one's broken or missing, I can fit a replacement. There are various types (small round, large rectangular, etc.) - I'll match what you had or fit something more accessible.
What if the meter chamber's full of water?
I'll clear it out, check the drainage, and advise if it needs better drainage or a new cover that seals better. Standing water in meter chambers is common in Devon's clay soils.
How long does it take?
Usually 30 minutes for a simple access fix - clear out the chamber, fix or replace the cover. Longer if significant work needed (like raising the chamber if it's been buried by soil buildup).
Get a Free Quote in Ottery St Mary
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your water meter reading access job in Ottery St Mary.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Ottery St Mary
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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