Myth: A geyser is a winter appliance.
Fact: A geyser is an all-season appliance.
And that’s why I am here to speak about the most common geyser problems & solutions.
Nothing is as refreshing as a hot shower, regardless of whether it is summer, winter or monsoons. In fact, after a long day at work, it is almost much needed. Also, access to hot water in kitchens has become a requirement now. So, there’s no doubt that a geyser has grown into being an indispensable part of every home. Of course, the more you use an appliance, the more difficulties you come across in its working.
Now the beauty is that some of the geyser complications can be resolved by yourself. Yes, it’s true. And some may require professional help. Once you are aware of the root cause of the problem, you will know how to act upon it. Don’t worry; I am here to brief you on it completely and in-depth.
Also, winters are already here. We are not taking any chances, right?
Common Geyser Problems & Solutions
1. Water not getting heated up
Obviously, you have invested in bringing the best geyser only to pamper yourself to hot water. If the geyser is operating but not giving out the hot water, the appliance is consuming energy for no rhyme or reason.
What’s the cause?
- If there is positively no hot water, one of the common reasons could be a tripped circuit breaker.
- A blown fuse can also be the culprit.
- Faulty or loose wiring.
- Over a period of time, there are high chances of the geyser rusting.
What’s the solution?
- Check the circuit breaker and watch closely if there are any signs of tripping. Then turn it off and on and reset the circuit. If it’s a minor problem, most likely, it will be resolved while rebooting it. However, if the tripping continues, it may be a major problem, which means you need an electrician to help you out.
- In case of a blown fuse, you have no option but to replace it.
- In the event of faulty or loose wiring, I would recommend not to put your hands in the mess. A professional person can resolve this in no time.
- A rusted geyser can hamper the overall working drastically. If the appliance is old enough, replace it with a new one. Our blog on the – 11 Best Geyser (Water Heaters) In India 2023 – Instant & Storage has pocket-friendly options. However, if your appliance is not old and falls in the warranty bracket but has a rusted part, get in touch with your manufacturer right away.
2. Constant water leakage
If you find water dripping persistently, then there is an evident leakage in the appliance. Your geyser may have gone through a burst or a notable leakage. It would be best if you definitely acted upon the leakage immediately to avoid any wastage of water and electricity.
What’s the cause?
- A problem in the drip tray
- An overflow in the pipe
What’s the solution?
- In both situations, you need help from a plumber. Please turn off the main electricity and water supply and then ask him to work on the leakage. Also, make sure the plumber is well aware of the apartment’s plumbing.
3. Discoloured or dirty water
Bathing with dirty or discoloured water is such a yucky feeling. In this situation, please don’t blame it on the water supply. There’s a rare possibility that the fault is in the water dispensed. Most likely, the geyser is the culprit.
What’s the cause?
- Corrosion of galvanized iron plumbing.
- Defect in the anode rod.
What’s the solution?
- Even though your geyser is not very old, the iron plumbing can corrode over some time and lead to discoloured water. Therefore, it required regular cleaning and maintenance.
- An Anode rod is responsible for preventing rust formation in the storage tank. When the rod fails to do so, you will find corrosion in the water heater leading to rusty water. Thus, replacing the anode rod is the only solution. You could seek professional help to do so. In the larger picture, this will also help in incrementing the lifespan of the geyser.
Recommended Reading: Installing Geyser in your bathroom? All Steps Simplified & Explained!
4. Dirty odour from the water
The foul smell from the hot water is super disturbing, and yes, it is one of the common geyser problems. This issue is certainly very unpleasant and can be super daunting.
What’s the cause?
- Formation of bacteria.
- Water supply from the well.
- Spoilt anode rod.
What’s the solution?
- When the geyser is not used for a long time or operated at a low temperature, it can cause the formation of bacteria. The developed bacteria gets easily mixed with the water causing it to stink. Guess what? You need no expert to come and solve this for you. All you have to do is run the geyser at the highest temperature for some time and let all the bacteria flush out.
- If your water supply is from the well, you are prone to microorganisms and pathogens. Needless to say, this will leave a foul smell in the water. Raise the geyser temperature and keep it at the highest possible. This will naturally kill all the viruses, thereby eradicating the odour completely.
- A mouldy or decayed anode rod is solely responsible for releasing hydrogen. This can make the water smell like rotten fish. If you want to put an end to this problem permanently, replace the anode rod with a new one.
5. Noisy geyser
Is your geyser making strange noises? Well, it’s not a very common geyser problem, but yes, you could be a victim of it. There are chances you may hear strange sounds like rumbling or banging once the geyser starts to heat up.
What’s the cause?
- Overheating of the geyser.
- Accumulation of sediments in the tank, pipe or valve.
- Scale spread in the storage tank.
What’s the solution?
- When the unit gets overheated, it builds up a lot of pressure and therefore emits a boiling sound. This situation is highly dangerous and risky. I would recommend seeking professional help immediately and not using the geyser until the problem is resolved.
- In the case of sediment build-up, resolving the problem is super easy. Flush out all the water and clean the tank and get rid of all the waste. Yes, it’s as simple as it sounds.
- Scale build-up is a common issue, and one will eventually face it. Drain the storage tank completely and try to descale all build-up. However, if you cannot do so, the only solution is to replace the tank.
Recommended Reading: Electric Geyser vs Gas Geyser: Know the Difference
6. Geyser not turning off
Mornings are definitely a rush. At that time, geysers not turning off can be so infuriating. Nobody has all the time in the world. So yes, you need to fix this as soon as possible.
What’s the cause?
- Loose wiring or power supply issues.
What’s the solution?
- Get an expert to examine the problem and resolve it. You cannot fix it by yourself.
7. Electric shock during turning on and off the appliance
This is definitely a life-threatening problem. Safety is the foremost priority, and there’s no way you can delay fixing this problem if you have experienced or witnessed an electric shock.
What’s the cause?
- It may happen due to bad earthing.
- A crack in the heating element.
What’s the solution?
- Turn off your geyser and the main power supply immediately. Call a professional to sort it out.
- A crack in the heating element leads to transferring the shock into the water. Again, you need an expert to fix this for you.
8. Poor pressure of hot water
Poor pressure of hot water can be really bothersome. Especially at the time when you are running late for work, isn’t it? Low-pressure problems can be spawned due to several reasons. Once you know the root cause, you can resolve it.
What’s the cause?
- Dirt collection in the pipes and valves.
- An old geyser model.
- A short galvanized pipe.
What’s the solution?
- When the pipes and valves are grimy and filthy, they can restrict water flow, thereby lowering the pressure. Cleaning it thoroughly can resolve the problem.
- An old geyser model will eventually lower the water pressure. Replacing it with a new one rectifies the water pressure problem. Grab on to a new one today! It’s raining discounts, and you definitely don’t want to miss it. Glance through our curated list – 11 Best Geyser (Water Heaters) In India 2023 – Instant & Storage.
- The solution to this problem is easy peasy. Install a wide pipe with a larger diameter. This will not limit the pressure of the water supply.
Recommended Reading: Instant geyser vs Storage geyser – Know What’s right for you
9. Geyser light not indicating
When your geyser light is not indicating, you will doubtlessly be confused about whether the appliance is functional or not. There is only one reason leading to this problem.
What’s the cause?
- A fault in the electrical connection.
What’s the solution?
- Call an electrician and get it fixed.
10. Excessive heating of water
Remember one thing; we are using the geyser for warm water, not burning water. Boiling or sweltering water is harmful to the geyser as well as human skin. So yes, it’s unacceptable!
What’s the cause?
- Excessive thermostat temperature.
- Excessive water pressure.
What’s the solution?
- You must reset the thermostat temperature immediately. An excessively high temperature is super dangerous and can lead your geyser to explode as well. Turn off the appliance and turn down the thermostat immediately. This is a technical issue, and therefore you will need professional help.
- You may not be able to get the water pressure level checked yourself. You need an expert but do it ASAP!
10 Geyser Safety Tips
Even though they are common geyser problems, there are ways of preventing them as much as possible. Sure, a water heater is a must. But remember, safety first!
- Keep a check on the thermostat settings regularly.
- Just like any other home appliance, a geyser requires regular maintenance as well. Do not neglect it.
- Keep combustible substances away from the geyser.
- Make sure there is sufficient ventilation around the geyser.
- Ensure there is proper earthing.
- Install the geyser at a proper height.
- Avoid keeping the geyser on for an extended period.
- Monitor the anode rod.
- Keep a check on the pressure release valve.
- Keep an eye on the electrical connections and the geyser switch.
One Last Thought
Congratulations on getting well acquainted with the most common geyser problems and solutions. This appliance is definitely a blessing in disguise. Gone are the days when it was a luxury to have a geyser at home. Today, it’s certainly a necessity. So, why not work towards enhancing the efficiency and longevity of the appliance?
It’s a known fact that some of the geyser issues can be resolved by yourself, but some require professional help. But it’s also known that some of the problems reach a point where they cannot be settled whatsoever. And that’s when it’s time for a change.
I have curated an intricate and affordable list of the best geysers available in India. You cannot afford to miss it. You can also check my blog on – Instant geyser vs Storage geyser – Know What’s right for you for a wise comparison.
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