A geyser is often an underrated appliance until something goes wrong with it and you’re left in the cold! Regular geyser maintenance could solve that problem!
Manufacturers provide the best parts that they can for your geyser, but over time, wear and tear take its toll on your geyser. Regular geyser maintenance will help to keep it in tip-top shape and running effectively for years to come! In this article, we will look at various ways for your to prolong the life of your geyser and save money in the long run.
What is the function of a geyser?
The most basic function of a geyser is to heat up the cold water stored inside it. This is done by converting electrical energy into heat energy. Heat energy is transmitted through an element in the geyser and the temperature of the water in the geyser is maintained by a thermostat.
What types of geysers are used in a house?
- Electric geysers
Commonly used in most homes but are costly to run and maintain
- Gas geysers
Generally considered outdated and expensive to buy and install. However, they are cost-effective in the long term
- Solar geysers
Solar geysers are economical, environmentally friendly, low in maintenance, and last a long time.
In this article, we will be focusing on the commonly used and installed, electric geyser.
The Importance Of Geyser Maintenance
Efficiency
As with most things, a well-maintained geyser performs optimally. Minerals from the stored water build up in the geyser and will lower the efficiency of a geyser over time.
Safety
An unmaintained geyser is a safety hazard to anyone living in the home. Not only does poor maintenance lead to tank damage (causing flooding and ceiling leaks), it can also cause your geyser to burst which could lead to life-threatening injuries.
Longevity
By ensuring you have a geyser maintenance strategy in place, you can rest assured that your geyser will last you longer. Plain and simple
Saves money
Maintaining your geyser will keep it running efficiently. This means you will be paying less for electricity, water, and the purchase of a new geyser.
How should geysers be maintained?
Clear out sediment
Clearing out the sediment at the bottom of your geyser is done by draining the geyser, stirring up the sediment sitting at the bottom of the geyser, and running it out of the water valve until the water runs clear.
Lower temperature setting
Setting your geyser temperature to a lower setting will mean that the water in the tank will be heated to the desired temperature much faster, which could extend the life span of the geyser. The temperature setting can be lowered by adjusting the thermostat on the side of the tank. Reducing the temperature, especially if you have small children, will help to prevent accidental burns.
Insulate
Insulating the geyser and pipes will assist in maintaining temperature. Geyser and pipe installation can be bought at the hardware store. Insulating your geyser will also help avoid a burst geyser that may be caused by extreme fluctuations in temperature through heating and cooling.
Check anode rod twice a year
Over time, your geyser will corrode. To help avoid this, an anode rod in the geyser helps by being a corrosion preventer. The anode rod will attract rust and other impurities present in the water, which will help prevent the tank from getting rusted or corroded. An anode rod has a limited life span and needs to be checked regularly and replaced when necessary. Damage to the anode rod will cause damage to your geyser.
The pressure valve should be checked
A geyser has a pressure valve and it must never leak. If it does, you will need to drain the geyser slightly, remove the discharge tube and replace the pressure valve.
More Geyser Tips:
- Leave it to the professionals to install
The combination of water and electricity can be risky one so it is best to leave the installation of your new geyser to a qualified plumber. An electrician should also be called into earth your new geyser.
- Do I have to use a drip tray?
Absolutely! By law, all fixed electric storage water heating systems (including your geyser) must comply with South Africa National Standards (SANS) 10254 installation specification, which specifies that a drip tray is used as part of the installation.
- Buy the right size geyser for your needs
Geysers come in a variety of sizes, namely 50L, 100L, 150L, and 200L geysers. Installing the right size geyser for your needs will ensure that you are not wasting excess electricity and heating water that you may not need.
- Installing a geyser outside
When installing a geyser outside, always make sure that it is under the eaves of your roof (or another type of cover) and make sure that the geyser and pipes are insulated. This will prevent your geyser from losing unnecessary heat by being exposed to the elements outside your home. Make sure that you keep an eye on your geyser for any signs of rust as well.
- Reinforce the trusses in your roof
Always reinforce the trusses that support your geyser.
- What type of pipes should be used when installing a geyser?
Ensure that metal pipes are being used for your geyser system as you are dealing with hot water. Pipes should be either copper or galvanised steel – because you’re dealing with hot water. Don’t forget to check for a whitish buildup from hard water or rust around the joints of the pipes once installed.
- Ensure that sufficient space is left around the installed geyser
There should always be adequate space left around the geyser apparatus and the walls. Without this space, a plumber will not be able to check and service your geyser correctly which will lead to problems down the line.
- Install the geyser at the correct height
Geysers should be installed at least 1.8metres or 6 feet from the floor. This will ensure that there is sufficient water pressure to allow a strong flow of water through your taps.
- Does my geyser need to be serviced?
Regularly servicing your geyser will increase its life span. A geyser should be serviced every 3 to 4 years in areas with good quality water. However, in areas with hard water or low water quality, your geyser should be serviced every 2 years. A qualified plumber should be called in to service your geyser to make certain that any potential problems are picked up early before they become serious. Servicing your geyser will include draining the geyser and checking and replacing the anode rod and thermostat if necessary. Build up in your geysers such as sludge and limescale drained away and the entire geysers system will be thoroughly checked for leaks or other problems. Any plumber will tell you the same…invest in geyser maintenance to help avoid massive servicing fees.
Despite regular checks and geyser maintenance, all geysers still have a limited life span. If you notice that the geyser is humming, hissing, cracking, a change in water pressure, or even that the water coming out of your geyser is not as hot as normal, this may be a sign that your geyser is failing. You will need a professional plumbing company such as Absolute Plumbing Cape Town to come in to inspect and repair your geyser before it’s too late. We can install new geysers, solar geysers and heat pumps. We can also replace burst geysers, pressure valves, drip trays, elements, solar panels and anodes. If your geyser needs to be relocated we can move it to your desired location.
Remember, repairing a plumbing problem early on often prevents bigger, more expensive problems in the future.
- Service your geyser every 3-4 years
- Clear out any sediment regularly
- Lower the temperature setting
- Insulate your geyser
- Check the anode rod twice a year
