Should I repair or replace my geyser?
Repair a geyser when the fault is a part, such as an element or thermostat. Replace it when the tank itself has failed. That is the short answer, and the plumber assesses which one you have.
Kwikot's electric geyser guide says a leak through the tank wall means the geyser must be replaced. The same guide puts the working life of a regularly serviced geyser at about a decade, and often less without servicing. A geyser around that age with a new fault deserves two quotes, one for the repair and one for a replacement.
| What you see | What a plumber may find | What usually follows |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water at all | A failed element, thermostat or trip, or another fault | The plumber assesses it; a part is often the fix |
| Water too hot, too cold, or swinging | A thermostat or control fault | The plumber assesses it; a part is often the fix |
| Water coming from the tank wall or casing | Possibly a failed tank | Kwikot's guide says a leak through the tank wall means replacement; the plumber confirms where the water comes from |
| Water in the drip tray | The tank, a fitting or a valve | The plumber checks, because Kwikot's guide says it often points to the tank |
| Dripping from the overflow pipe | Pressure, a valve, or the tank | The plumber tests the incoming pressure and checks the valves |
| Rusty hot water, popping or banging noises | Corrosion or scale inside | Assessed first; replacement is likely if the tank is corroded |
How do repairing and replacing compare?
Repairing is usually the smaller bill when only a part has failed, and replacing buys a new tank and fittings. Neither wins every time.
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost today | A repair costs less when one part has failed; the plumber quotes it after the look | R9,000 to R11,500 for a 150-litre electric, listed for Cape Town and Sandton (FlowLeads, published 12 May 2026, checked 2026-11-09). From around R15,000 at Absolute Plumbing Cape Town (article dated 27 October 2026, checked 2026-11-09) |
| What it fixes | The part that failed. It does not fix a corroded tank | The tank, plus valves and fittings that meet what installation standards describe |
| What can go wrong | On an older geyser, the next part or the tank may fail soon after | A bigger bill now, and the old drip tray and pipework may need work too |
| Paperwork | Ask whether the job needs a Certificate of Compliance | A Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) Licensed Plumber issues PIRB's Certificate of Compliance after the installation |
Ask the plumber for both quotes and compare them line by line. The page on what a plumber costs sets out the other published rates.
Geyser failing? Request a quote and we call you back, or call 060 086 9889.
My geyser burst. What do I do now?
Make it safe first and request a quote second. The steps below are for a burst geyser. If the water is escaping from a pipe instead, follow the burst pipe steps in the guide to a burst pipe.
Burst geyser
- If you can reach the distribution board over completely dry floor, switch off the geyser's circuit. If not, stay clear and call for emergency help.
- Close the stopcock that feeds the geyser, or the main shut-off valve if you cannot reach it.
- If you cannot reach the geyser, open a few hot taps in the house to ease the pressure. The water may still be very hot, so keep children and pets clear.
Don't plug or cap the geyser's relief pipe. Kwikot's guide calls it the tank's last line of defence. Take photographs of the damage only if it is safe to do so, then request a quote.
What does a compliant geyser installation include?
A compliant electric geyser installation includes at least these parts, as South African installation standards describe it. Kwikot's electric geyser guide cites SANS 10254 (a South African National Standard). It describes an installation with a drip tray and an overflow pipe that runs to the outside of the building. It adds a temperature-and-pressure relief valve, and a vacuum breaker, which admits air so that a vacuum cannot form. It also lists isolation valves, so the geyser can be serviced. Earth leakage protection is part of the installation Kwikot describes. This is Kwikot's description, not a checklist for you to sign off. Ask the plumber what the installation includes and what the price covers. The guide adds that the installation should be done by a registered plumber who issues a Certificate of Compliance.
This list is for electric geysers. Gas and solar geysers have their own page, with their own safety steps.
Want both quotes side by side? Request a quote and we call you back, or call 060 086 9889.
Who can install a geyser and issue the certificate?
A PIRB Licensed Plumber issues PIRB's own Certificate of Compliance. A plumber can be registered without being licensed, and only the licensed designation can issue the PIRB certificate, so ask for the licence, not just the registration. You can check a name or registration number on PIRB's verify-a-plumber page, and the guide on how to check a plumber is registered walks through it.
A property sale in Cape Town is a separate matter. The City's transfer form for the water installation is completed by a City-registered plumber, and the conveyancing attorney submits it before transfer. The plumbing Certificate of Compliance guide explains the two documents.
Will insurance pay for a burst geyser?
That depends on your policy, and we can't say either way. Policies differ in what they cover, what they ask for and who must do the work.
Before you spend money on repairs, read the policy or ask your insurer what it needs. Photograph the damage and the geyser, only if it is safe, before anything is removed. Keep the plumber's invoice and any Certificate of Compliance, since your insurer may ask for them.
What does a geyser repair or replacement cost?
A fair price needs a look, because geyser size, type, roof access and the state of the old pipework all move it. The comparison table above shows two businesses' published replacement figures. They are not a price from us, and your quote may differ.
Where we do this: plumber in Durbanville, plumber in Bellville, plumber in Somerset West and plumber in Claremont. See all plumbing services or where we work.
Questions people ask
Can I fit a geyser myself?
South African installation standards for electric geysers describe a registered plumber who issues a Certificate of Compliance, not a do-it-yourself fit.
Kwikot's electric geyser guide, which cites SANS 10254, sets this out. If you want a geyser fitted properly, request a quote and ask for the certificate to be included.
Is a dripping overflow pipe a problem?
It can be. Dripping can point to pressure, a valve or the tank, so have the plumber assess it. Do not block the relief pipe.
Kwikot's guide calls the relief pipe the tank's last line of defence. If the geyser is overflowing heavily, close the stopcock that feeds it and call a plumber rather than waiting.
Is it worth repairing an old geyser?
That depends on the fault and the geyser's age. Ask for a repair quote and a replacement quote, then compare them line by line.
The plumber assesses the geyser and quotes.
Does a replacement come with a Certificate of Compliance?
A PIRB Licensed Plumber issues PIRB's Certificate of Compliance after an installation. Ask for it in the quote so it is priced in.
Keep your copy with the geyser's paperwork.
Why is the quote different from the prices I saw online?
Online figures are other businesses' ranges. Geyser size, roof access and old pipework change the price, so a fair price needs a look.
The plumber assesses the geyser and quotes.