24 FEATURES
“ Tools get worn ,” warns Claassen . “ Spirit levels are no exception . To ensure that the level is reading true , always check then turn the level 180 ° and check again . If the readings are inconsistent , replace the spirit level .”
Tips for geysers “ Geysers are not magic !” says Claassen . Here are his tips and tales regarding geysers :
• The new class B rated geyser is much bigger than its predecessor and often doesn ' t fit so it needs to be relocated .
• When installing or replacing a geyser in the roof , what plank size do we need for support ?
• We replaced the geyser but now the client says the PRV ( Pressure Reducing Valve ) is leaking . New geyser 600kpa old PRV 400kpa .
• The geyser is tripping the power . We replace the element . All is good but after 20 to 30 minutes the power trips again . This is a circuit breaker issue . If the element has gone , it will trip the power instantly .
• Clients like turning off the geyser at the DB board but a circuit breaker is not a switch so with time , it ' ll wear out .
• After changing the thermostat twice and the element , everything is pulling power but the water is only warm . “ Must be a faulty geyser .” No . There ' s a leak on the hot water line .
Old school leak detection According to Duncan Keil of UPP , water would need to be shut off at the council meter before leak detection could take place . If the water meter was still ticking over after being shut , this would indicate a leak on the property . This would then mean that the plumber would have to go through the house and check where the leak might be located .
“ If the water meter was still ticking over after being shut , this would indicate a leak on the property .”
Make sure all material and equipment is compliant and installations are done by a qualified plumber .
“ If you see paint bulging or bubbling , that could potentially indicate a leak behind that section of wall ,” Keil says . “ In a galvanised system , leaks most often happen at the gulleys or where there ’ s a change in direction of the pipes . Also , leaks are often found at the elbow of the galvanised tap in the garden .”
Keil explains that plumbers put their ears to a tap to check if they are able to hear the familiar rush sound of a leak .
“ When it comes to an old residence with a galvanised system ,” he says , “ It helps to put yourself in the shoes of the plumber who may have designed the system and figure out how he would have piped the house .”
Leak repair for copper pipes back in the day could be tricky when there is water still in the pipe . “ The old plumbers used to take some of their sandwich bread and push that into the pipe before soldering ,” Keil says . “ The bread would soak up the water , the plumber could solder the pipe and the bread would get flushed out once the tap was turned on . It was a great way to get the soldering done back then when the plumber couldn ’ t wait all day for the pipes to dry .”
It pays to know the ‘ old ways ’ of the plumbing industry .
Rory Macnamara ’ s advice : “ Compliance is important . Make sure all material and equipment is compliant and installations are done by a qualified plumber – and electrician when it comes to geysers .” PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2025 Volume 30 I Number 11