Why Is My Geyser Not Getting Hot?

PlumbPal Team
5 days ago
2 min read

This one’s for every South African standing under a cold shower, swearing at the ceiling. Here's how to figure out what’s going on — and what you can do before calling a pro.

First, Don’t Panic

Most geyser problems are simple — and half the time it’s something small like a tripped switch or a blown element. Let’s go through it step by step.

Step 1: Check the Power 🔌

Go to your main DB board.
Look for the geyser switch — is it off or tripped?
Flip it off and back on.
Wait at least 30–60 mins before checking for hot water again.

Step 2: Test with a Different Tap 🚿

Sometimes the problem isn’t the geyser — it’s the tap or mixer.
Try a hot tap in a different room (like the basin or bath).
If other taps get hot water, it’s likely the mixer that’s faulty — not the geyser.

Listen for the Heating Sound 🔊

Stand near the geyser after flipping the power back on.
After 10–15 minutes, you should hear a faint buzzing or heating sound — that’s the element kicking in.
No sound at all? The element or thermostat might not be working.
Loud popping/crackling sounds? That usually means there’s sediment build-up inside the geyser — still fixable, but not DIY-friendly.

Step 4: Check for Water Flow 🚰

Is the water flow low or blocked on the hot side?
If yes, it might be a blocked vacuum breaker or valve problem.
That’s not a heating issue — it’s a flow issue.

Step 5: A Faulty Thermostat Can Cause Your Geyser Not Getting Hot🔥

If the geyser has power but still isn't heating, the thermostat may not be sending the signal to the element.
This happens often after load shedding or power surges.
Most thermostats have a reset button under the cover panel — but you should only access it if you know what you're doing.

🛑 Important: Never open the geyser cover unless you’ve switched off the power at the DB board. Water + electricity = no jokes.

Step 6: Want to Replace the Element or Thermostat Yourself? 🔧

If none of the steps above helped, your geyser might have:

A blown element
A faulty thermostat
Or a tripped reset switch inside the cover

Don’t stress — we’ll guide you.

👉 Register on PlumbPal.online for the full step-by-step guide on how to safely check and replace your geyser’s element or thermostat like a pro — no guessing, no wiring mistakes, no callout fees.