How to Diagnose and Repair a Hot Water Cylinder/Geyser

[@suveershirinawas8038]

Thank you for the great content I literally just changed my element in my geyser and it was quick and super easy...please guys before attempting any repairs make sure there is no power going to the geyser and ensure you have your geyser off for a few hours before you start so the water won't be hot.

[@CamoPeng]

Why would my water be hot if the element is broken 🤣 but good to double check the power is off

[@moffatk7948]

This is a very good, diagnosis, in a very systematic way. Im about to do a trouble shooting on a geyser not heating up, with this video all should be easy.👌👍

[@DIYwithBraMangMang]

Dankie oom. Ive been having issues with a secondary geyser for almost 4 years now saving to get a new geyser. The water would barely get hot. The water would be warm for like 30 seconds then cold water would start running out. Can't believe it took me this long to get onto google. First thing tomorrow I'm testing the thermostat and the element. Thanks a mil for the video. Its clear and straight to the point with no unnecessary yapping.

[@p0we111]

Glad I could help. If you are struggling that long, I woukd just change them both. Thermostat and element.

[@DIYwithBraMangMang]

@@p0we111 So after i posted my previous comment I went and investigated, only to find the guy who fitted the geyser mounted it wrong. You know the bracket can mount in thee sides of the geyser right? He mounted it on the centre holes meant for mounting on a flat surface meanwhile the geyser was mounted on a vertical wall so what would happen is that the incoming cold water would mix with the outgoing hot water as soon as you opened the tap. So all I had to was unmount the geyser move the bracket to the right side of the geyser and remount. Doing just that resolved all my problems. Just imagine. I was swearing in 11 official languages when i figured that out lol. Thanks again you saved me a boatload of money.

[@p0we111]

@@DIYwithBraMangMang Glad you figured it out. That is the first time I heard if that problem and also the first time I heard of someone not mounting a geaser right 😄 but it makes perfect sense that that would be the result of improper mounting. Good for you! Enjoy your hot showers!

[@INTYUNTYA]

Thank You. Great video just sent it to my technician to now diagnose my geyser as he has been struggling to fix it.👍

[@mosesmanaka8109]

Excellent informative video, thank you and well done. 🙂👊👌👍

[@thabiso_jack]

I love this videos very informative and helpful

[@klopsenagtroepe1117]

Thanks for the advice Sir. Much appreciated

[@narensingh1585]

thanks for the video this helped me out

[@terryterbhaius6950]

Good video, pitty I watched it only after figuring it out haha

[@graemeduthie328]

Awesome video, thanks for your help.

[@rodneyscholtz8849]

I replaced the rubber gasket a month ago only to find it pushing out water at a high rate again. Interesting 🤔 I switched it off and left it to cool down over two days and it stopped leaking altogether. Could it be the pressure valve perhaps? Not sure how to adjust that? The valve has been dry throughout the process. Any advice would be appreciated 😊

[@p0we111]

Hi. I would suspect the pressure valave yes. The rubber gasket would leak and continue leaking. Plumbers have told me that some water coming out of the pressure valve is normal,but if it continues ill check with a plumber if I were you. Groete

[@peterbarends5603]

thanks, very useful advice

[@herman71083]

For the last 2 days my water is only getting lukewarm! Would that be the element or the thermostat?

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi. It could be any one of the two. Swap both, then you know youre not going to have anymore problems.

[@we2dadude981]

Very helpful. 👊🏾 Thanks Bro.

[@mikulusaurus]

Our geyser doesn't heat up at all, we got plumbers in to replace the element and two other things yesterday but we still have no hot water. I'm thinking it's an electrical problem? Our earth leakage switches tripped recently, too.

[@p0we111]

Hi Mike. Usually it is an electrical problem in my experience. If you have a clamp on amp meter it will be an easy test amps at the DB board.(No amps means electrical fault. Amps present but no hot water means plumbing fault.Just remember to run cold water into the geyser by opening a hot water tap before testing to switch on the thermostat at the geyser) if you don't own a clamp om meter, you will have to guess where to start. If you have a normal volt tester,test for volts on the wires where it connects to the geyser. If there are volts you can rule out the problem from the DB board and isolator(if present). Check any connection/junction boxes in the roof area of the geyser.If a isolator is installed next to the geyser,open it and check the connections for loose/burnt connections. If you want to start guessing which parts to swap: If the plumber did not change the following,I would start with swapping the element and thermostat. This will fix 80% of you no heat electrical problems on the geyser. If an isolator is installed,you can swap that as well. Finally the breaker in the DB board can also be faulty. All the guesswork can be taken out by simply testing with a volt tester.

[@waynedeklerk956]

Thanks, video helped me 👍

[@sv_endless6340]

Hi. My geaser tripped the mains. Replaced the thermostat and a day later the geaser tripped the mains again. When removing thermostat, same as in your video, it was not wet. I checked continuaty when thermostat was removed on the element and it had no continuaty which indicated the element was fine. Could I have had a defective thermostat that only lasted a day. Geyser is only not even 6 months old. Thanks

[@p0we111]

Hi. Checking continuity with a mulimeter does not always get the right result. Checking the element with a Insulation Resistance Tester will be better. 9 times out of 10 a trip on the breaker means a faulty element...

[@onne2538]

If the flange gasket is leaking a month after replacing, does that mean the pressure valve is faulty? Or temperature too high?

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi. Not nessesarily. Most of the times its just a matter of tightening the bolts to reseal.

[@moffatk7948]

Correct usually it leaks because either the sealing surface was not cleaned properly, or incorrect sequence and torquing of bolts. Maybe steam cuts or corrosion errosion on the surface.

[@Xxxcappie23]

Should I get 217 volts when I test between live and earth terminal on the geyser? My earth leakage has not tripped??

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi. Yes 217V is fine between Live and earth and Live and Neutral.

[@theelusiveme7643]

Question, if you are using an old geyser is it advised to upgrade to a new one to save money on electricity? We have a geyser that's 20 years old still working

[@p0we111]

The older geyser are less thermally insulated yes, but in my experience has a lower watt rating. Usually a 2000watt as the newer 150L geysers has the 3000watt element. That could also affect the power usage and could cost you more but that you will have to do a test for. I have also found that the older geysers have better element in them that last forever. I have removed geysers that had the original elements in them where the newer ones break almost yearly.

[@theelusiveme7643]

@@p0we111 thanks, what is your opinion on gas geysers here in south Africa compared to the cylinder type of heater

[@p0we111]

@@theelusiveme7643 I switched from a 40year old geyser (more like a bin with an element) to a gas geyer. My electric bill was cut by almost R800 a month. While changing the gas bottle (19kg) every 2.5months or so. Did do the gas instal myself and had some issues with it shutting off 3 times during a shower...not good... You do get better gas heaters that can regulate the temperature by switching on more or less banks. I would choose that one if I was to change my current gas geyser again.

[@theelusiveme7643]

@@p0we111 we are four adults in the house we shower like twice a day, the issue with the current geyser is not enough hot water where as with a gas geyser its endless, second issue is electricity especially in winter months. With your gas geyser do you have to flush it out regularly for maintenance?

[@p0we111]

@@theelusiveme7643 I've only had it for about a year. We live on a farm with not the cleanest water and no issues yet. We were about 9 people in the house for about a month and the bottle lasted only a month. I would go for tge gas geaser but a high quality one as you do nit want to struggle like I did. Get an expert opinion from a gas installer as the litres on the geyser will have to be matched to your showerheads and needs as this can also be a problem. I can only give my opinion and as of today I will stick to the gas geyser. It has warm water when you need it unlike a solar geyser and does not run out like a normal geyser.

[@Spoedvarkable]

Wonderful video, baie dankie.

[@emadallie3721]

we have a 150L geyser, we changed our 3kw element for a 4 kw element is that ok to do? also our thermostat is reading 125 volts

[@p0we111]

Im not sure what the voltage in you're country is as it does differ, usually 230V or 110V. As for the 3kw for tge 4kw,it will depend on the wire size and circuit breaker size. The 4kw could cause the circuit breaker to trip. Switching the current breaker for a bigger one could cause the wires to overheat and melt/burn. It would be wise for an electrician to just check the wiring size, breaker and go from there.

[@juliesteffers4097]

Can loadshedding damage your thermostat?

[@p0we111]

Hi Julie. Theoretically yes if all appliances in a town or city switch on at once,the voltage could drop and higher amps will be present at the thermostat switch. But Im sure that no insurance company will take that as a excuse to cover expenses of a failed thermostat.

[@darrencarter7294]

Any advise for when the flange plate is stuck and won’t come off?

[@p0we111]

Hi Darren. If it is a steel tank,it is easy to just pry it open using a flat screwdriver. The gasket has to be swapped out 9 times out of 10 anyway. If it is a plastic/fiberglass tank then use more caution as to not damage the tank.

[@stuartsims1307]

Please add a video on how to add a surge protector to your DB board.

[@josem3466]

U will burn your fingers call electrician dnt b Jack of all.dnt be stingy

[@gajimafeet]

Hi Jean can you tell me how to replace a Kwikot anode 150l Kwiksol it seems like it is not possible This geyser has 2 anodes

[@cvmostert]

Dankie!

[@rufusbock6676]

I like your content please upload more frequently I'm steaming all the way from Namibia 🇳🇦

[@p0we111]

Hi Rufus Thanks, glad you like it. Will do as I might be making a change in circumstances end of the year. And hopefully come visit your beautiful country soon as well!

[@pauldanster1239]

Tnx for the infor.

[@aurummukhacwa801]

Dankie!!

[@chrisjordan_gaming998]

Hi there.. I’m having problems with my geyser, we changed the element and also the thermostat but still the water was lukewarm then when we switched off the water supply the water became hot, so what could be the problem cause everyone that we have gotten to come fix it says there’s no problem but there’s a problem cause for the water to get hot the water supply must be turned off

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi CJ. You have ruled out an electrical problem. I am guessing that you have a water leak somewhere. Try closing the outlet side of the warm water as close to the geyser as possible,not the inlet side as you have done. Open it after say 3hours and immediately test the water. If it is hot then, you have a water leak on one of youre pipes. I have also had a problem with a low pressure geyser after changing some pipes, it would reverse feed cold water into the geyser resulting in an overflow but the balvalve was working fine. I have also had a problem with a hot water pipe running inside a concrete floor. The concrete is so effective at keeping the water cool it takes ages to heat up the pipes for hot water. And then it is only mildly hot. Let me know if you find anything!

[@chrisjordan_gaming998]

Thank you so much for your response, I will definitely let you know..

[@chrisjordan_gaming998]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 thank you so much

[@chrisjordan_gaming998]

Hi Jean… turns out you were right, the water was leaking from one of the pipes in the shower so we had to break the wall inside the shower to get to the pipes… thank you so much for your help it literally saved me from wasting my money to buy a new geyser 🙏🏾

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Glad I could help. That waterleak can cost a lot of money! I had an electricity bill 4 x usual because of a leaking pipe... Congrats on finding it. Must have been a challange!

[@nataliechetty384]

Thank you Was a big help

[@richard8342]

My geyser one day only gave out warm water, I replaced heater elm. and thermostat . Still no hot water, than I replaced whole geyser, still only warm water. What might the problem be? It is getting 220 volts at geyser.

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi Richard. That is strange. First I will test for Amps as close as possible to the element. Not all testers can test Amps. Second, I will check the connections as a loose or burnt connection somewhere on the cable can give a Voltage reading but as soon as the thermostat switches on it can "loose" the connection.

[@richard8342]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 Thank you so much. That is what I was thinking, I also thought of replacing the CB.

[@tamaranquma1300]

Please help, i got a kwikot 150 l geyser when the water supply to feed the water into geyser its starts to leak from the bottom but not the side where the element is on the other side

[@p0we111]

Hi Tamara Nquma That is bad news. If you can track the leak to one of the fittings you can just tighten it. But if you cannot, it may be that one of the welds have sprung a leak. In my case I replace the whole geyser/hot water cylinder. You can try and take off the outer layer and try and fix the leak, but that could be tricky...

[@tamaranquma1300]

@@p0we111 thank you very much, i suspect it might be the actual cylender because whenever i turn on the water supply it leaks, when turned of it does'nt the fittings are brand new and the tank was second hand.I made a mistake in thinking i was saving money by buying a second hand tank so far with the geyser kit I bought, I coudve bought a brand new geyser ......this is so stressfull its my first time owning one and i was enjoying taking hot showers in my own home for the 1st time.

[@masintlemtshali1540]

It is possible to connect without lid

[@p0we111]

Hi Masintle. It would still work but it is against the law to be able to touch a live part of the installation. So by law a lid will have to be put on but it will not affect the operation of the unit.

[@mangoyacho]

Thank you!

[@martinkingdom3405]

my cylinder is leaking from the nuts or bolds

[@tebbybear1923]

Did help. Thanks

[@grantwilliams8501]

awesome

[@bambulajkhumalo]

What the course if the gyser it's new it's get hot after couple hours the water get cold what's the course

[@p0we111]

Hi. That is a difficult one. Check if the supply is not interrupted by a timer maybe. If you have a tester you can check if the supply voltage is at the element when the water is cold. This could mean an element problem but further testing will be needed...

[@rimonaadam1854]

Thank you.

[@anitapretorius777]

well done.

[@phemeloraikane1482]

Where can I buy gasket am struggling to get gasket for my Franke geyser

[@p0we111]

Hi. I think Buildit sold the Franke geysers at some time. Cal them, maybe they can help.

[@khumbloholdings5180]

Thank you

[@rossmoodley9407]

Water is streaming out from the element terminal after replacing the flange gasket,thermostat and element.The flange plate as being tightened sufficiently.Where could be the problem be.

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi. I would suspect that the rubber flange is not seated properly. Just a quess though. I did have a element leak water through a terminal, but it was an old curroded element not a new one. If I were you I would open it all up and check the rubber flange and the allenkey bolt that tightens the element to the steel plate.

[@rossmoodley9407]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 thank you Jean

[@wondernineth8341]

Recently I fixed two geyser elements but they come on for few seconds and switch off.the elements is new and the thermostat is working perfectly but the water is not getting hot. Both of the geyser are in different places. They just turn on for few seconds and then off. It's stressing me big time.done all the test on new elements and thermostat. Pls help

[@p0we111]

Hi. Never had a problem like that before. Are both geysers connected on the same curcuit? Same supply?

[@wondernineth8341]

@@p0we111 no they are separate, I think the coil resistance in the element is weak. Thats y is comes on and off when it gets heated. recently lots of technicians are complaining about the elements, I think they maybe factory faulty

[@p0we111]

@@wondernineth8341 A good test to do to see if it is from the supply side of the element/thermostat side is to test both Volts and Amps at the same time on the point where the power enters the thermostat or geyser itself. If the Volts stay constant but the Amps goes on and off it is a problem with the element/thermostat. If the Volts also switches on and off it is a problem from the supply side. You can even bypass the thermostat and to this test just do not leave it on for longer that 10min with the thermostat bypassed.

[@wondernineth8341]

@@p0we111 oky I get you as I had done that before but I will also do those test check again

[@wondernineth8341]

Thanks again for your time and information sir.

[@wawe2819]

What is it when it's tripping?

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

Hi. It could be the breaker (least likely). Could be the wires (also not likely). Most likely would be the element inside the HWC. But I would just change both the element and thermostat.

[@wawe2819]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 I changed both element and thermostat but it still tripped. So today I'm gonna check the wires and breaker

[@jeanboetzkes9820]

90% of the time the problem on the wires are at either end (breaker or thermostat). Check for a connection box aswell. Good luck!

[@wawe2819]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 thank you

[@wawe2819]

@@jeanboetzkes9820 problem: element burnt gasket thus causing leaking and the water touched the thermostat causin CB to trip. Thank you for your help

[@leonarduserasmus8496]

Ek kan mos hoor jys Afrikaans Danke oom

[@donnybrasco1601]

Why would geyser cause the geyser tripswitch to trip

[@p0we111]

Hi Donny. If it is a overload switch in an existing installation, it could be a dead short inside the element or water leaking out and shorting the contacts.

[@donnybrasco1601]

@@p0we111 ok thanx.

[@michaelndhlovu8514]

My gersey its not working even though I bought new element ad thermostat

[@p0we111]

Does the power come all the way to the thermostat? Maybe check your breaker?

[@michaelndhlovu8514]

@@p0we111 I did check the breaker and I even went to the extend ad put a new one.

[@p0we111]

@@michaelndhlovu8514 do you have any way of checking the power? A multimeter or a test lamp. That would be the only way to determine where the power is.

[@josem3466]

Same challenge here.element change thermostat changed by water only gets warm and there is 230 at the thermostat

[@p0we111]

@@josem3466 Hi Jose M. Have you changed it with the correct Kilowatt element. A good test will also be to check the amps with a clamp on tester. A 100Liter geyser = 2kw element = around 8Amp. A 150L geyser = 3kw element = around 13Amp. A 200L geyser = 4kw element = around 19Amps.

[@kg_innit]

Hillsong