By Keeping an eye on the property, and attending to maintenance and repairs, scheme executives can prevent losses and control degradation. Doing regular inspections will help to identify problems as they arise and before they cause further losses or damage. Geysers are no exception and often a major driver for insurance costs and ultimately higher loss ratios and premiums. Trustees should manage geysers and are advised to have a hot water specialist such as 0861WaterLite oversee the maintenance and repairs for the scheme. This can be done “hand in glove” with the scheme’s insurer under advice from the schemes’s broker. The broker / insurance advisor should be one that is well versed in sectional title.
Looking out for problems:
Excessive dripping from the overflow pipe probably means that the pressure valves are faulty.
Steam coming from the overflow pipe likely means that the thermostat is faulty. If it is not attended to immediately, it could cause severe damage or loss. Think pressure cooker!
When the geyser causes the mains to trip there is probably a fault with the element or another electronic component.
If there is no hot water and no tripping, there is probably something wrong with the thermostat or heating element.
If the water is not hot enough, calcification or a faulty thermostat could be the cause.
Another cause of problem, particularly hot water flow, is the breaking down of polycarbonate/plastic parts inside the geyser such as the baffle box. Small bits of plastic enter the system and clog parts and pipes.
What to do if a problem is found:
(Steps to follow when your geyser bursts or is faulty, especially if emitting steam)
Switch off the main switch on the distribution board.
If there is water escaping or gushing out, turn off the water supply to the geyser. You can even turn off the water mains in an emergency.
Release the pressure from the geyser by opening a hot water tap.
Call the insurer’s preferred geyser installer / call centre number or 0861Waterlite so that the geyser is attended to within the scope and costs of the insurance policy by design. The South African National Standard (SANS) 10254 states that every geyser installed after June 2001 should comply with a certain set of standards, e.g., each geyser must be fitted with a drip tray with overflow pipes leading to the outside of the building to name one. By using an insurance approved plumbing contractor such as WaterLite, the owner and trustees are assured that geysers are installed in a compliant manner.