"Our circulation pump died on a Saturday. They came Monday morning, diagnosed it in 20 minutes, had the new pump in the bakkie, and we had hot water by lunch. Fair price and a proper invoice."
Pump Replacement · 200L System
Solar Geyser Repair • Pretoria
Solar Geyser Repair in Pretoria: Leaks, No Hot Water, Elements, Tubes and Controllers
We find the fault first, tell you what it costs, and fix it — or tell you honestly when repair no longer makes sense.
Solar Geyser Repair in Pretoria
Find the Fault First, Then Fix It — or Tell You Honestly to Replace
Solar geyser repair in Pretoria usually means one of a handful of faults: a failed element or thermostat, a dead pump, a faulty controller, a cracked tube, a leaking valve or a tank that has reached the end of its life. We have spent 10 years working on solar in Pretoria, and most of these are fixable in a single visit once the real cause is found.
This page shows you the common faults, what each repair usually costs, and how to decide between repairing and replacing. If your geyser is leaking right now, read the safety steps first.
If Your Solar Geyser Is Leaking or Has Burst
Do these three things first, then contact us.
Switch Off the Geyser at the DB Board
Turn off the geyser's breaker or isolator. Water and electricity do not mix.
Close the Water Supply to the Geyser
Use the isolating valve on the cold water feed, if you can reach it safely.
Do Not Open the Pressure Relief Valve or Climb on a Wet Roof
Take photos of the leak and note where the water appears.
A steady drip from the pressure relief valve can be normal on a heating cycle, but a continuous stream, a wet ceiling or water on the roof is not. When in doubt, switch off and call us.
Geyser leaking right now? Send us a photo of the leak and we will tell you how urgently it needs attention.
Common Faults & Costs
Solar Geyser Repair Pretoria: Common Faults and Typical Costs
These are typical repair ranges for Pretoria and Gauteng, including labour. They are guides, not quotes, and parts are priced separately where noted.
| What you notice | Likely cause | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water at all | Tripped breaker, failed element or thermostat | Part plus labour — often the cheapest fix |
| Not hot enough in winter | Backup element, controller sensor or scale | Often R500 – R2,000, depending on the part |
| Silent pump on a sunny day | Failed circulation pump | about R1,500 – R3,500 |
| Dripping from a valve | Worn pressure relief or non-return valve | about R500 – R1,500 |
| Cracked or fogged tube | Hail or age | about R200 – R600 per tube, plus labour |
| Water on the ceiling | Leaking pipe, valve or tank | Depends on the source |
| Controller shows an error | Faulty sensor or controller | Controller kits from about R2,000 – R4,000 |
| Tank leaking or rusted | Tank at end of life | Usually replacement, not repair |
These are guides, not quotes. Your actual cost depends on the fault, the part, roof access and how long the problem has been there. We confirm the exact price after diagnosis, before any work starts.
What We Repair
What We Repair on Solar Geysers
Seven things go wrong with solar geysers more than anything else. Here is what each one looks like, and what we do about it.
No Hot Water, Elements and Thermostats
When a solar geyser gives no hot water, the electric backup element or thermostat is the usual suspect — especially after a cloudy week or on a geyser with hard water scale. We test the element, thermostat, wiring and breaker, replace the failed part, and check the water temperature. Elements on solar and PV-powered geysers come in different types, so the right solar geyser element depends on your system. Scale from Pretoria's hard water shortens element life, which is why we check for it every time.
Solar Geyser Controller Problems
A solar geyser controller manages the pump, the sensors and the backup element. When it fails, you may see a blank display, an error code, a pump that never starts or a backup element that runs all day. We diagnose the controller, the sensors and the wiring, and replace what is faulty. We also work on Geyserwise-type controllers and PV-powered geyser conversions. If your geyser is already converted, see our solar geyser conversion service for how those systems work.
Solar Geyser Pump Failure
A silent pump on a bright day is one of the clearest signs of trouble, and one of the most common pump-driven repairs. Pumps fail from sediment, scale, age or a faulty controller. We test the pump and the circuit, replace the pump if needed, and clean or flush the loop so the new pump does not fail early. Catch it quickly, because the electric element quietly makes up the difference and your bill rises.
Cracked Evacuated Tubes and Replacement Tubes
Hail, age and thermal stress crack evacuated tubes. The good news is that the system keeps working on the remaining tubes, and individual tubes can be replaced without removing the whole collector. We supply and fit replacement tubes for common systems, so you do not need to hunt for solar geyser tubes for sale and hope they fit. Pretoria sits in a hail belt, and severe storms are common from October to December.
Leaks, Valves and Pipework
Leaks come from three places: valves, pipework (including pipes under roof tiles) and the tank itself. Valve and pipe leaks are usually quick to fix. Worn pressure relief valves must be replaced, not patched, because they are safety devices. A leaking tank is a different story, and we explain that in the next section.
Frost Damage
Pretoria winter mornings can drop below zero, and unprotected direct systems can freeze and crack. We repair frost damage and advise whether to switch to a frost-safe indirect setup. Read more about frost on our solar geyser installation page.
Air Locks, Pressure and Scale
Poor pressure, noisy pipes and slow heating often come from air locks or scale build-up. We purge the system, flush the loop, and check the tank, valves and anode where applicable.
Quick Checks
Why Is My Solar Geyser Not Working? Quick Checks
Some checks are safe for you to do. Others need a professional.
Safe for You to Check
- Is the geyser breaker on the DB board tripped?
- Is the controller display on, and does it show an error?
- Is it cloudy or has the weather been cold for days?
- Are there visible drips at ground level or ceiling stains?
Leave to a Professional
- Anything on the roof
- Opening or adjusting valves
- Changing elements, thermostats or controllers
- Any repair involving water and electricity together
If the breaker trips again straight after you reset it, do not keep resetting it. Switch it off and call us.
Parts & Prices
Solar Geyser Element, Tubes and Pump Prices in Pretoria
People search for solar geyser element price and solar geyser tubes price because they want to know whether a repair is worth it. These ranges give you a feel for the market in Pretoria and Gauteng. Final prices depend on your system, the part and the labour.
| Part or job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Replacement evacuated tube | about R200 – R600 each, plus labour |
| Circulation pump replacement | about R1,500 – R3,500 |
| Pressure relief valve replacement | about R500 – R1,500 |
| Smart controller or PV geyser kit | about R2,000 – R4,000 for the controller |
| Backup element and thermostat | Quoted on inspection — varies by element type |
| Annual service and check | about R500 – R3,000, depending on what is found |
What changes the price: the system type, the part, roof access, how long the fault has been there and whether the geyser needs flushing. A repair is cheaper when you catch it early, so do not wait for a leak. If you are also comparing a new system, see our solar geyser prices page.
Repair or Replace
Repair or Replace Your Solar Geyser?
Most faults are worth repairing. Some are not. Use this as a guide, and we will give you an honest view on site.
Repair When
- A part has failed — such as an element, pump, tube, valve or controller
- The tank is sound — not rusting or leaking
- The system is within its working life and was installed correctly
Think About Replacing When
- The tank is leaking or badly rusted
- Repairs keep recurring
- The geyser is old and parts are hard to get
- The system was never frost-safe or suited to your water pressure
A typical electric geyser lasts around 10 years, while a well-kept solar system can last 15 to 20 years. If your tank is sound but the solar side has failed, you may not need a new system at all. You can keep the tank and convert your existing geyser to solar. If the tank is finished, see our complete solar geyser installation service.
Not sure whether to repair or replace? Send us a photo of your geyser label and the fault — we will tell you honestly which is better value.
Our Repair Process
How Our Solar Geyser Repair Service Works
Five steps from your first message to a working system — no surprises on cost, no guesswork on parts.
Tell Us the Symptom
Send us a message with the problem, your suburb and photos if you can.
Diagnosis
We inspect the geyser, collectors, pipes, valves, pump and controller to find the real cause — not just the visible symptom.
Clear Quote
You get a written price for the repair before work starts. If a part is needed, we say which one and why.
Repair and Test
We fix the fault, test the system and check for leaks and temperature.
Documents and Advice
Where the work needs a Certificate of Compliance, we issue it. We also tell you what to watch for and when to book the next check.
Local Causes
Why Pretoria Solar Geysers Fail
Pretoria is not a coastal city, and these local causes show up again and again.
Hail
Gauteng sits in a hail belt, and the storms between October and December crack tubes and dent collectors.
Frost
Winter mornings below zero damage unprotected direct systems.
Hard Water
Mineral-rich water scales elements, valves and pumps.
Power Surges
Surges can damage controllers and pumps. Proper surge protection helps.
Tile Roofs
A leak on a tile roof can travel before it shows on your ceiling — so the real fault is often higher up than the stain.
Estate Rules
In estates, roof access and approvals can slow repairs — and we plan around them.
Areas We Serve
Solar Geyser Repair Near Me: Areas We Serve
Looking for solar geyser repair near you in Pretoria? We cover Pretoria East, Menlyn, Garsfontein, Faerie Glen, Moreleta Park, Silver Lakes, Centurion, Irene, Waterkloof, Hatfield, Brooklyn and Arcadia, Montana and Pretoria North, and Wonderboom and Akasia. See all areas we serve.
Pretoria East
Menlyn
Garsfontein
Faerie Glen
Moreleta Park
Silver Lakes
Centurion
Irene
Waterkloof
Hatfield, Brooklyn & Arcadia
Montana & Pretoria North
Wonderboom & Akasia
We also work on solar geysers installed by other companies, so you do not need to be our customer first. Send us your suburb on WhatsApp and we will confirm.
Prevention
Keep Your Solar Geyser Healthy
A simple yearly check prevents most repairs. It covers the valves, pipe insulation, collectors, pump, controller, backup element and, on indirect systems, the glycol level. If your system is overdue, book a check. For general solar PV servicing across your home, see our solar maintenance and repairs page.
What a yearly check covers
- Valves
- Pipe insulation
- Collectors
- Pump
- Controller
- Backup element
- Glycol level (indirect systems)
Why Choose Us
Why Pretoria Homeowners Choose Us for Repairs
There are plenty of installers in Pretoria. These are the things that set us apart on repairs — where honesty and diagnosis matter more than sales.
We diagnose before we quote, so you do not pay for parts you do not need.
We tell you when not to repair. If replacement or conversion is smarter, we will say so.
Written quotes with the part, labour and warranty listed.
10 years of solar experience in Pretoria. Read more about us.
We work on other installers' systems too. You do not need to be our customer first.
Ready to book a repair? Send us your suburb and what's wrong — we will come back with a diagnosis and a written quote.
Customer Reviews
What Our Customers Say
"Two tubes cracked in the hail storm in November. They replaced both the next day and told me honestly the rest were fine — didn't try to sell me a new collector. That's why I recommend them to neighbours."
Evacuated Tube Replacement · 300L System"The backup element had failed and the controller showed an error code. They tested everything, showed me the faulty element, and replaced only that. No pressure to replace the whole system. Solid, honest service."
Element & Controller Repair · 150L System
Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Geyser Repair FAQs
The questions Pretoria homeowners ask us most often about solar geyser repairs — answered honestly, in plain language.
Why is my solar geyser not working?
The most common causes are a tripped breaker, a failed backup element or thermostat, a dead circulation pump, a faulty controller or sensor, or an air lock. A silent pump on a sunny day and a backup element that runs all day are both warning signs. We diagnose the cause on site.
How much does it cost to fix a solar geyser?
It depends on the fault. A valve replacement is typically about R500 to R1,500, a pump about R1,500 to R3,500, and replacement tubes about R200 to R600 each plus labour. A leaking tank usually means replacement. We give you a written quote before we start.
How long does a solar geyser last?
With good maintenance, a solar geyser system can last 15 to 20 years. The tank, pump, controller and element may need replacing during that time.
How much is a solar geyser element?
Element prices vary with the element type, because solar, PV-powered and standard electric systems use different elements. We confirm the right element and price after we see your system.
Can you replace solar geyser tubes?
Yes. Individual evacuated tubes can be replaced without removing the collector, and the system keeps working on the rest in the meantime. We supply and fit replacement tubes.
Is a leaking solar geyser an emergency?
Treat a leak seriously. Switch off the geyser at the DB board, close the water supply and call us. A small valve drip can wait a short while, but a stream, a wet ceiling or water on the roof should be seen quickly.
Can you repair a solar geyser someone else installed?
Yes. We inspect it, check the equipment and tell you honestly what is worth repairing. We also work on PV-powered conversions and controller-based systems.
Do I need a Certificate of Compliance for a repair?
Where a repair changes the installation — for example valves, the tank or electrical connections — a Certificate of Compliance is required. Insurers also ask for one after a burst geyser. We tell you what applies to your job.
Will load shedding damage my solar geyser?
Power surges when the supply returns can damage controllers, pumps and elements. Surge protection and a proper controller reduce the risk. If you already have a battery system, we can connect the geyser circuit to it. See our solar battery installation page.
Get Your Solar Geyser Fixed
Tell us what is wrong, your suburb and, if you can, send a photo. We will come back with a clear diagnosis and a written quote. No pressure and no jargon.
Prefer to call? +27 82 901 7452 — we answer Mon to Sat, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Solar Installer Pretoria
10 years of trusted solar and geyser repairs across Pretoria.
Address
802 Arcadia Street, Pretoria
Phone