A geyser, also known as a water heater or boiler, is a device that uses hot water to provide heating and hot water to homes and commercial buildings. It is an essential appliance in many households, especially during the colder months. However, like any other appliance, a geyser is prone to wear and tear and can develop faults that may need repairing.

In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to repair a geyser. We will cover the basic features of a geyser, common faults that can occur, and the repair methods to fix them. The article will also provide tips on how to maintain your geyser to prevent breakdowns and prolong its lifespan.

Basic Features of a Geyser

A geyser is a relatively simple appliance that has two main components, a tank and a heating element. The tank is a large, insulated container where cold water is stored and heated to the desired temperature. It can be made of various materials, including copper, stainless steel, or glass-lined steel.

The heating element, which is usually located at the bottom of the tank, is responsible for heating the water. It can be either an electric element or a gas burner. Electric elements are powered by electricity and can be either an immersion element or a thermostat-controlled element. Gas burners, on the other hand, use natural gas or propane to heat the water.

There are two types of geysers available in the market, namely, storage geysers and instant geysers. Storage geysers, as the name suggests, store hot water in a tank. They are available in various sizes, depending on the capacity of the tank. Instant geysers, also known as tankless geysers, do not have a storage tank and heat water on-demand. They are typically smaller in size and are used for point-of-use applications.

Common Faults in a Geyser

A geyser can develop faults due to wear and tear or inappropriate use. Some common faults that can occur include:

• No Hot Water: If you turn on the tap and find that there is no hot water, it could be due to a faulty heating element, a blown fuse, or a tripped circuit breaker. In electric geysers, the heating element may have burned out and needs replacing. In gas geysers, the pilot light may have gone out, and you need to relight it.
• Not Enough Hot Water: If you find that your geyser is not producing enough hot water, it could be due to a faulty thermostat or a sediment build-up in the tank. The thermostat may not be functioning correctly, and you need to replace it. Sediment build-up can be prevented by flushing the geyser regularly.
• Leaking Geyser: If there is water leaking from the geyser, it could be due to a loose valve or corroded tank. A corroded tank may need replacing, whereas a loose valve can be simply tightened.
• Strange Noises: If you hear strange noises emanating from the geyser, it could be due to sediment build-up in the tank or a faulty heating element. Flushing the tank can remove sediment build-up. In the case of a faulty heating element, it may need replacing.

Repair Methods for a Geyser

Before attempting to repair a geyser, it is essential to turn off the power supply or gas supply to the appliance and let it cool down. Here are the repair methods for some common faults in geysers:

1. No Hot Water

If the geyser is not producing hot water, you can try the following:

• Check the power supply: Make sure that the geyser is plugged in or the circuit breaker is not tripped. If you have a gas geyser, make sure that the gas supply is turned on.
• Check the heating element: If the power supply is okay, but the geyser is not producing hot water, the heating element may have burned out and needs replacing. To replace the heating element, follow these steps:
• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Drain the tank to below the level of the heating element.
• Disconnect the wires connected to the heating element.
• Use a wrench to unscrew the heating element from the tank.
• Replace the old heating element with a new one.
• Reconnect the wires to the new heating element.
• Refill the tank with water.
• Turn on the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.

2. Not Enough Hot Water

If the geyser is not producing enough hot water, you can try the following:

• Check the thermostat: If the thermostat is not functioning correctly, it may not be allowing the heating element to heat the water to the desired temperature. To replace the thermostat, follow these steps:
• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Unscrew the thermostat from the tank.
• Disconnect the wires connected to the thermostat.
• Replace the old thermostat with a new one.
• Reconnect the wires to the new thermostat.
• Turn on the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.

– Flush the tank: Sediment build-up in the tank can also reduce the amount of hot water produced by the geyser. To flush the tank, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Connect a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
• Turn on the hot water tap in the house to allow air to enter the tank.
• Open the drain valve to let the water and sediment flush out.
• Close the drain valve once the water runs clear.
• Disconnect the hose, close the hot water tap in the house, and refill the tank with water.
• Turn on the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.

3. Leaking Geyser

If the geyser is leaking, you can try the following:

• Tighten the valve: If the leak is coming from the valve, it may be loose and needs tightening. Use a wrench to tighten the valve until the leak stops.
• Replace the corroded tank: If the tank is corroded, it may be leaking and needs replacing. To replace the tank, follow these steps:
• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Drain the tank by opening the drain valve at the bottom.
• Disconnect the pipes and electrical connections from the old tank.
• Remove the old tank from the geyser.
• Install the new tank, keeping the pipes and electrical connections in their proper place.
• Restore the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.

4. Strange Noises

If the geyser is making strange noises, you can try the following:

• Flush the tank: Sediment build-up in the tank can cause the geyser to make strange noises. To flush the tank, follow the steps outlined in the section “Not Enough Hot Water.”
• Replace the heating element: A faulty heating element can cause the geyser to make strange noises. To replace the heating element, follow the steps outlined in the section “No Hot Water.”

Maintenance Tips for a Geyser

Regular maintenance of your geyser can prevent breakdowns and prolong its lifespan. Here are some maintenance tips:

1. Flush the tank: Flushing the tank every six months can remove sediment build-up and prevent clogging of the pipes. Follow the steps outlined in the section “Not Enough Hot Water” to flush the tank.

2. Test the pressure relief valve: The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that releases pressure if it exceeds a safe level. Testing the valve every six months can ensure that it is functioning correctly. To test the valve, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Find the pressure relief valve on the top or side of the tank.
• Lift the lever halfway and let it go.
• If water comes out of the valve, it is functioning correctly.
• If no water comes out of the valve, it may be faulty and needs replacing.

3. Check the anode rod: The anode rod is a sacrificial rod that prevents the tank from corroding. Checking the rod every year and replacing it every five years can extend the life of the tank. To check the rod, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power supply or gas supply to the geyser.
• Find the anode rod on the top of the tank.
• Unscrew the anode rod from the tank.
• Inspect the rod for signs of corrosion or wear.
• If the rod is corroded or worn, replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

A geyser is an essential appliance in many households and commercial buildings. It provides heating and hot water to homes and businesses, but like any other appliance, it can develop faults that may need repairing. Some common faults that can occur include no hot water, not enough hot water, a leaking geyser, and strange noises.

Repairing a geyser involves turning off the power supply or gas supply to the appliance and letting it cool down. The repair methods for some common faults include replacing the heating element or thermostat, flushing the tank, tightening valves, or replacing a corroded tank.

Regular maintenance of your geyser can prevent breakdowns and prolong its lifespan. This can be done by flushing the tank every six months, testing the pressure relief valve, and checking the anode rod. By following these tips, you can ensure that your geyser runs efficiently and lasts for years to come.