GEYSERS

Eurosmart Plumbing can assist you with geyser installations, repairs, maintenance and servicing.

How does a geyser work?

A geyser is a reservoir or tank that stores water and converts electrical energy into heat. Geysers have an inlet pipe for cold water and an outlet pipe for hot water. The cold water pushes the hot water through the outlet pipe.

How does a geyser provide hot water?

Similar to a kettle, geysers are fitted with a heating element which is controlled by a thermostat. The element heats up the water inside the geyser, bringing hot water to your taps.

Does the element continuously heat the water?

No, if the water reaches boiling temperature, the geyser could explode. Therefore, the element is controlled by a thermostat which regulates the temperature of the water inside the geyser by switching the element on and off when necessary.

Each geyser can sustain a maximum pressure, which is predefined by the manufacturer. The cold water feeding the geyser should never exceed the maximum pressure. Therefore, geysers are equipped with a PRV (pressure reducing valve) which limits the pressure of the incoming water before it enters the tank.

Another important component of a geyser is the safety valve, or TP (Temperature & Pressure relief valve). This valve is extremely sensitive to pressure and temperature. If too much pressure builds up in the tank or if the temperature is too high for the geyser, the safety valve will open, thereby relieving the geyser of excess temperature or pressure.

This is an important component of a geyser, as it prevents the geyser from exploding.

THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH GEYSERS

1. I have no hot water / my water is not hot enough.

There are several reasons for a geyser to stop providing hot water:

Failed / burnt heating element

Advice: Have your heating element replaced

Faulty thermostat

Advice: Have your thermostat replaced

Sediment build-up

Advice: Ask a plumber to replace your heating element and remove the sediment/scale.

Minerals from water can settle in your geyser, especially around your heating element, rendering the heating element less effective. This means that the element has to work harder to provide the same water temperature as before.

Tripped circuit breaker

Advice: Ask a plumber to check the heating element and the thermostat. If no fault is found, contact an electrician to check if there is a problem with the electricity.

2. My water is too hot.

There are two possible reasons for your water being too hot:

The temperature of the thermostat is set too high

Advice: Set your geyser thermostat to around 55-60°Celsisus.

Keeping your geyser at a lower temperature will use less energy and increase your geyser’s lifespan. The thermostat is located on the actual geyser itself. Just ensure that your thermostat is always set over 52° Celsius, to prevent bacterial growth.

The thermostat is faulty

Advice: Have your thermostat replaced

Most thermostats function mechanically. Any mechanism such as a door hinge will become less effective over time. Thermostats also become less effective over time and less precise. Sometimes there can be a discrepancy between the set temperature of the thermostat and the actual temperature of the water inside the geyser.

3. My hot water pressure is too low.

If you notice a low hot water pressure in more than one tap, it is likely a geyser-related problem. Here are two common reasons for low water pressure:

Your PRV (pressure reducing valve) is faulty

Advice: Have your PRV cartridge replaced

Sediment build-up

Advice: Ask a plumber to replace your heating element and remove the sediment/scale.

4. My geyser is leaking.

The first indication of a leaking geyser is water coming from one of the three overflow pipes that extend out of your home. The first thing you should do, is determine which pipe is leaking.

The biggest pipe (PVC pipe, 40-50mm):

Either you have a burst geyser, a leaking vacuum breaker, or a leaking pipe above the geyser.

Advice: Ask a plumber to repair the leak, or replace the geyser if necessary.

The mid-sized pipe (Usually a copper pipe, 22-28 mm):

You most likely have a faulty thermostat.

Advice: Ask a plumber to replace the thermostat.

The smallest pipe (a plastic or PVC pipe, +- 15mm)

It is normal for your geyser to drip occasionally due to the build-up of pressure when the element heats up. However, if you notice steady or excessive dripping from this pipe, this is a good indication of a faulty pressure-control valve.

Advice: Ask a plumber to change the expansion relief cartridge of the pressure-control valve.

5. Water is leaking from my ceiling (if the geyser is in the roof).

Geysers are equipped with a drip tray that collects excess water. If you see water leaking from the ceiling, it probably means that your drip tray is not coping with the excess water. This is usually due to:

A burst geyser
A leaking geyser component, such as the vacuum breaker, a rubber gasket, etc.

Advice: Turn off your water immediately and switch off your geyser at the DB board or at the isolator switch, which is located within 1 metre from your geyser. Ask a plumber to assess the problem.

How can I prevent problems such as a leaking geyser or a burst geyser?

Ensure that your geyser is installed correctly. Geyser installations should only be done by professional plumbers
Test your pressure relief valves once or twice a year
Have the sacrificial anode rods replaced every two years

How can I save money on my geyser?

Electrically switch off your geyser before going away for a long period of time. This will avoid potential leaks and possible rupturing of your geyser.
Cover your geyser with an insulation blanket, as you could save up to 20% on your monthly electricity bill. Geyser blankets can be found in hardware stores such as Builders’ Warehouse.

How can I increase the lifespan of my geyser?

Change your anode rod regularly.

A geyser is a perfect recipe for rust. When water, oxygen, and steel come together, there is a high chance that corrosion will take place.

This is why steel geysers are equipped with a sacrificial anode, a steel rod which “sacrifices itself” by diverting corrosive action away from the walls of the geyser to the anode rod.

Once the anode rod is corroded away completely, the geyser itself will start to rust, and eventually burst. Most steel-tank geysers have a lifespan of about 5-7 years. By replacing your anode rod every 2 to 3 years, you can increase the lifespan of your geyser, thus saving you money in the long term.