What Causes a Geyser to Burst?

Would it surprise you to know that most cases of burst geysers are preventable? Proactive plumbing maintenance can identify early signs of the leading causes of burst geysers and prevent this very inconvenient and costly disaster that can result in significant damage.

The leading causes of burst geysers are:

Pressure

Geysers can leak or burst because of pressure buildup from high water temperatures and accumulated steam due to a faulty or incorrectly set thermostat. Although geysers have a relief valve, the pressure build-up may be too intense, or the valve is also faulty.

Corrosion

Because most geysers are made of iron or steel and in constant contact with water, they are susceptible to rust and corrosion. To prevent this, every geyser is installed with an anode rod, which attracts the corrosive elements. However, this rod needs to be replaced every few years because, over time, it gets thinner, becomes brittle, and stops protecting the geyser from corrosion. This makes the geyser vulnerable to corrosion and rust, which puts it at risk of leaking or bursting.

Sediment

The minerals in water settle at the bottom of the geyser over time and shield the water from the heating elements, which makes it take longer to heat up the water, causing pressure and damaging the geyser.

How to prevent a burst geyser
  • Follow best practice when it comes to setting your thermostat temperature; never go above 60°C.
  • Install a geyser blanket to minimise the need to raise the thermostat temperature.
  • Ensure that your geyser is serviced by a qualified plumber regularly. The plumber will remove any lime, scale or sludge buildup, they will check the condition of the geyser, anode rod, thermostat and valves, and replace if necessary.

Contact Plumbing it Fine to discuss our Preventative Plumbing Maintenance contract, which includes the above services.