A leaking geyser is one of the most common emergency calls we get across Midrand, Johannesburg and Pretoria — and also one of the most misunderstood. Not every leak means a full geyser replacement, but every leak does mean it’s time to act, since even a slow drip can mean 50 to 100 litres of wasted water and ceiling damage in a single day.
First: Find Where the Water Is Actually Coming From
Before doing anything else, work out where the leak starts. Geysers usually leak from one of four places, and each points to a different problem:
From the bottom of the tank — This is the most serious. It usually means the tank itself has corroded or cracked internally, and water is escaping through the shell. A geyser leaking from the tank body itself can’t be patched — this is a replacement, not a repair.
From the pipes or fittings on top — Far more common, and usually far cheaper to fix. Loose compression joints, a worn valve, or a failed seal on the inlet/outlet pipes can all cause visible dripping without anything being wrong with the tank itself.
From the pressure relief valve (the small pipe running down the side or through the roof) — Some dripping here is actually normal, especially after the geyser has just heated a full tank. But a constant, steady drip usually means the valve itself needs replacing, or your water pressure is too high for the system.
From the overflow pipe outside — If water is dripping from the pipe that runs down your outside wall, this is often linked to the pressure relief valve doing its job correctly under too much pressure, rather than the geyser being faulty.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
- Look for visible pooling or damp patches directly under the tank versus dripping from a pipe joint above it — this alone tells you a lot about severity.
- Check if the leak only happens after the geyser has just heated (suggests pressure-related) or if it’s constant (suggests a worn seal or fitting).
- If you can safely reach it, gently tighten (don’t overtighten) any visibly loose fitting — but stop immediately if this doesn’t fix it or if you’re not confident doing so.
What You Shouldn’t Attempt Yourself
Don’t try to open, drain, or work directly on the tank itself, and don’t attempt any electrical isolation unless you know exactly what you’re doing — geysers combine mains water pressure with mains electricity, and getting either wrong is genuinely dangerous.
When to Call a Plumber Immediately
- Water is leaking from the tank body itself, not a pipe or valve
- You can hear the geyser but can’t find where water is escaping (could be inside a ceiling)
- The leak is accompanied by discolouration in your ceiling — this usually means it’s been leaking for a while, undetected
- Any leak near electrical wiring or your distribution board
What Happens When We Come Out
Our plumbers isolate the water supply first, identify the exact source, and give you an honest answer on the spot — repair or replace — along with an upfront price before any work starts. Most fitting and valve repairs are done same-day; if the tank itself has failed, we’ll talk you through geyser sizing and installation options so there’s no guesswork.
Geyser leaking right now? 247 Plumbers GP is on call 24/7 across Midrand, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the greater Gauteng area, with no call-out fee. Call 072 280 7603 or get a quote.
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