South Africa sees a substantial increase in the number of geyser-related insurance claims during winter.

Despite Eskom somewhat improving its generation capacity over the last few weeks, winter is still generally described as dark and cold – load shedding or not.

According to Budget Insurance, geyser claims increase by roughly 30% or more during winter.

Moreover, 98% of these claims are due to the geysers bursting or overflowing, failing pipes or faulty equipment.

“Expansion and contraction of the geyser tank and its components occur during normal usage when hot water leaves the geyser and is replaced with cold water,” said Tyrone Lowther, Head of Budget Insurance.

“However, in winter, the temperature difference between the cold water entering the geyser and the hot water leaving the geyser is much greater than during the summer. This increases the rate of expansion and contraction, which can lead to geyser failure, especially if the geyser is older or the valves or thermostat are faulty.”

Budget insurance offered the following tips to South Africans to protect their geysers:

• Tip-top shape: Experts recommend that geysers are serviced by a qualified plumber every three years. A geyser service would entail draining and checking its components, including the anode, element and thermostat. Limescale and sludge should be removed from the tank and element, and the whole system should be checked for leaks. The plumber should also check that the thermostat temperature on the geyser isn’t set too high. 60⁰C is the recommended temperature. Geysers are known to burst when the thermostat is incorrectly set or poorly regulated.

• Wrap it in a blanket: Consider investing in a geyser blanket and timer to save on electricity and help avoid a burst geyser caused by extreme fluctuations in heating and cooling.

• Get a drip tray:  It is advisable to fit a drip tray if there isn’t one already in place beneath the geyser. The outlet pipe on a drip tray carries away most of the water should the geyser burst, making it a useful measure for limiting water damage to walls, carpets and other home contents.

• Save wisely: It is wise to switch off your geyser from time to time, especially during peak electricity demand periods, but it’s best not to let it get cold, as this additional contraction-expansion cycle could decrease the life span of your geyser, whilst also consuming more electricity to warm the water up again.

• Heed the warning: Watch out for the early warning signs of geyser failure. If you notice that water coming from the geyser isn’t as hot as it used to be, that the water pressure isn’t high enough, that too much water or steam is coming from the hot water overflow pipe on your roof, that the geyser is making strange humming, hissing or cracking noises, or you notice wet spots near the geyser, disaster may be around the corner, and it must be inspected immediately.

• Quick hands: If your geyser bursts, switch off the electricity mains immediately, turn off the water mains, and call your plumber and insurer.

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