So many things can contribute to the failure of your geyser, such rust, decay, gradual deterioration, wear and tear, hidden defects or faulty materials and workmanship. This, combined with a lack of maintenance, can cause your geyser to age too early or worse, burst. To make sure you won’t need to claim prematurely, it’s advisable to maintain and service your geyser on a regular basis. Here are a few practical tips to protect your geyser from potential damage:
- Switch off the geyser when not in use.
- Reduce the temperature of your geyser by turning the thermostat temperature control down to between 55°C and 60°C.
- Insulate your hot water pipes or fit in a geyser blanket to prevent heat loss and electricity wastage.
- Check that you have the appropriate plumbing piping and the electrical isolator switch is within 1 meter of the geyser.
- Make sure there’s a cover over the thermostat and element.
- Replace the self-sacrificing anode that prevents your geyser from corrosion, when necessary.
- Make sure that you have a drip tray fitted beneath the geyser to safely drain away any leaks and prevent further damage.
- Ask a plumber to check that your geyser has all of the important safety features, such as the vacuum breakers, shut off valve, temperature and pressure safety valve and the multi (pressure) valve.
- Look out for are a rumbling sound coming from the geyser or steam that comes out as soon as you open the hot water taps.
- Should your geyser burst, remember to switch off the main power supply immediately.
Chances are, it might be years until you have to ultimately replace your geyser. But if the odds are not in your favour, rest easy knowing that we’ll make the process easier to handle, thanks to our quick and easy geyser claims process.
Complete your claim end-to-end on the OUTsurance app or MyOUTsurance client portal, without needing to speak to a consultant. It’s just another way we make insurance easier.