How long should a geyser last in Cape Town, and what shortens it
Most geysers here fail between year eight and year twelve. The water, the pressure and the installation all play a part. Here is what to check.
by Northline team
A geyser that fails at year six was usually let down by something other than the cylinder. The three culprits we see most often:
1. Pressure
Cape Town municipal pressure varies enormously by suburb. Without a working pressure control valve, a 400 kPa geyser sees spikes it was never designed for. If yours was fitted without one, or the valve is more than ten years old, it is worth replacing on its own.
2. Sacrificial anode
Inside every geyser is a magnesium rod that corrodes so the tank does not. Once it is gone, the tank starts rusting from the inside. Replacing the anode every four to five years is cheap and almost nobody does it.
3. Installation
Missing vacuum breakers, no drip tray, the wrong relief valve. These do not just void warranties, they shorten the life of the cylinder. If you are not sure what you have, send us a photo and we will tell you.