A leaking geyser can start as a small drip and end as a flooded ceiling, so it pays to work out quickly where the water is coming from. This guide shows the five places a geyser usually leaks, which ones are urgent, and when a repair is enough or the geyser needs replacing. It is written for homes and businesses across Cape Town.
First, Make It Safe
Before you look for the cause, do these things:
- Switch the geyser off at the DB board, so the element is not heating an empty or leaking tank.
- Close the cold water isolator valve to the geyser, usually on the pipe going into it, to stop more water flowing in.
- Keep clear of the DB board, lights and plug points if water is coming through the ceiling, and switch off the main supply only if you can reach it safely.
- Do not open, loosen or block the pressure relief valve or the overflow pipe.
Where Is the Water Coming From?
1. The Overflow Pipe
Water dripping or running from the small pipe at the side or underneath the geyser is the most common case. It is usually a sign of high water pressure, a worn pressure relief valve, thermal expansion or a thermostat set too high. Read our full guide: why is my geyser leaking from the overflow pipe.
2. The Pressure Relief Valve
The valve releases pressure to protect the tank. If it drips all the time, it may be worn or the water pressure may be too high. A faulty valve is a safety item, so replace it instead of living with the drip.
3. A Pipe or Fitting Connection
Water around the inlet and outlet pipes, or the connections on top of the geyser, points to a loose, corroded or failed fitting. These leaks can often be repaired without replacing the geyser, and they get worse if left alone.
4. The Element or Thermostat Seal
A leak where the element or thermostat enters the tank usually means a perished seal or a corroded element. Read more about geyser element replacement in Cape Town.
5. The Tank Itself
Water running from the body of the geyser, a rusty trail down the side, or water collecting in the drip tray or ceiling below usually means the tank has corroded through. A leaking tank cannot be repaired properly, and the geyser needs to be replaced. See geyser replacement in Cape Town.
Is a Leaking Geyser an Emergency?
Treat it as an emergency if water is coming from the tank body, if water is near the DB board, lights or plugs, or if the ceiling is bulging or stained. A slow drip from the overflow pipe or a fitting is less urgent, but call us within a day or two before it causes damage.
Repair or Replace?
Valves, fittings, elements and thermostats can usually be repaired. A tank that has corroded through has to be replaced. We find the cause first and give you an honest recommendation, so you only replace the geyser when it is needed.
Leaking Geyser in Cape Town? We Can Help
Whether you are in the Southern Suburbs, City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Northern Suburbs or anywhere else across Cape Town, our qualified, insured plumbers diagnose and repair leaking geysers, and can replace the geyser if it has reached the end of its life. Call us on 021 203 5337 or 082 302 0683, or request a quote online.
Leaking Geyser FAQs
Why is my geyser leaking water?
The water can come from the overflow pipe, the pressure relief valve, a pipe fitting, the element seal or the tank itself. Where the water appears tells you which one, and the cause decides whether a repair is enough or the geyser needs replacing.
Can I fix a leaking geyser myself?
We do not recommend it. A geyser holds hot water under pressure and is wired to mains electricity, so valve, element and fitting repairs should be done by a qualified plumber. What you can safely do is switch the geyser off at the DB board and close the water supply to it.
Is a leaking geyser dangerous?
It can be. Water near the DB board, lights or plug points is an electrical risk, and a leaking tank can bring down a ceiling. A slow drip from the overflow pipe is less urgent, but it should still be checked.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking geyser?
It depends on the cause. A worn valve or a leaking fitting is a much smaller repair than replacing the geyser. We diagnose first and quote before we start, so you know whether a repair or a replacement makes sense.