Electric or Solar Geyser

Servicing and Repairs

Faulty geyser, problems with your hot water system or need to upgrade your existing hot water heating system? You need Steve Wells! With years of experience in servicing, maintaining, installing and fixing geysers, Steve’s team will get the job done right, no matter what your hot water problem is.
We are experts in diagnosing, fault finding and geyser repair. Our experienced plumbers can diagnose all types of geyser problems on both solar and electrical geysers, including (but not limited to):

  • too little or no hot water
  • thermostat problems
  • overflowing geysers
  • faulty valves
  • leaking geysers
  • failed elements
  • geyser water pressure issues
  • installation of heat pumps
  • burst geysers … and more.

It's not unusual for electric geysers to develop leaks – often caused by corrosion. Oxygen dissolving in the water can speed up corrosion in the fittings and even the tank itself. Replacing the anode rod regularly will help prevent this issue from damaging the entire tank and its components.
Leaks from the bottom of the tank will typically require complete replacement of the geyser unit, while leaks around the taps or pipes can often be repaired economically.
A burst geyser is a special kind of scary event, and often create several further problems such as water dripping through the ceiling, and tripped earth leakage when the burst geyser leaks onto your electricals. For fast and efficient service in Umhlanga Rocks, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe, Durban North, Glenashley, or Umdloti, call Steve Wells right away.


While you wait for us to arrive …

  • Turn off circuit breaker for geyser at electrical DB board
  • Turn off water to geyser
  • Open hot water taps to drain off excess water from geyser

In most cases, these simple steps will prevent any further damage or problems.

Fitting a new geyser or repairing your existing one can be tricky;

Geysers and water heaters of any kind are generally large, extremely heavy appliances which need to be hoisted into your roof space or cavity. Extreme care must be taken to install the relevant pipework and electrical supplies to enable full functionality which is both efficient and safe to use.

Our team are all trained in the relevant safety aspects of Electrical and plumbing installations. Our Geyser installers are fully compliant with all makes and models of geyser for both gas and solar. A range of different systems are available - from instant hot water systems through to solar powered energy efficient geysers. We can advise you on the best system to suit your usage requirements.

Steve Wells plumbers are fully qualified to successfully install, maintain or repair your geyser to full-functioning specifications. Call us now or use your enquiry form to get in touch for all your geyser maintenance requirements.

We install all electric and solar geysers and heat pumps according to SABS standards, and supply all SABS approved peripheral geyser equipment, such as geyser blankets to reduce energy consumption and heat loss.

 


Geyser bursts or leaks

Geysers don't usually burst or explode except in winter due to the colder and more extreme changes in weather conditions. Generally, they corrode and give in. Wear and tear and corrosion are speeded up by lack of maintenance. Geysers are manufactured out of steel and are glazed inside so that the steel and water don't meet and start the corrosion process. However, between the factory, the retailer, the plumber's van, and being installed, the geyser can be bumped and knocked causing glazing chips and imperfections to occur.

Rust now starts forming where there is no protective glazed area. Geyser manufacturers also install manganese rods called sacrificial anodes. These removable rods perform a specific job through a natural process of decay until they are shed or worn away over a period of 12 to 18 months. If after 18 months the anode has eroded and not replaced, the geyser speeds up its internal decay process, and within around 36 months the decay can cause serious malfunctions in your geyser.

So it’s important to have your geyser checked on a regular basis, not only to replace decayed anodes, but especially ahead of the winter months to make sure exposed pipes are wrapped up properly to help reduce bursting due to cold water.


What to do when your geyser bursts:

  • Step 1: Switch off the water supply
    This prevents water from running into the geyser and leaking out. Make sure you know where your water mains are, before any emergencies occur.
  • Step 2: Switch off the power to the geyser
    If the geyser’s element continues to heat up while there’s no water in it, it might cause a fire. To switch off the geyser, simply flip the ‘geyser’ switch on your main distribution board.
  • Step 3: Open all the hot water taps
    This helps to relieve the pressure inside the geyser, resulting in less water pouring out of the burst geyser.
  • Step 4: Try to prevent further water damage
    Move items of furniture away from the water and start mopping up what you can before the water spreads further. If the area nearest the geyser burst, soak up water with towels, mops or anything that is absorbent. Try to minimise damage to your floors and your furniture.