Geyser not heating? What to check before calling an electrician

A geyser that's stopped heating isn't always broken — a few quick checks take less time than waiting for a callout, and they tell you whether you actually need one.

• Check the geyser's isolator switch or breaker hasn't tripped — this is the single most common cause, and it's a two-second fix if that's all it is
• Check the thermostat dial hasn't been knocked to a low setting, especially if anyone's cleaned near the unit recently
• Check whether the whole house lost power recently — some geysers need a manual reset after an outage and won't restart on their own

When it's time to call someone

• The breaker trips again immediately after you reset it — stop resetting it. That's an electrical fault, not a settings issue, and repeatedly resetting it isn't safe
• Water is lukewarm but never properly hot — usually a failing heating element
• Popping or knocking sounds from the unit — often sediment buildup, common in hard-water areas

If it's past the quick checks, a Hallmarked electrician's insurance and qualification are already verified before you even call — one less thing to check yourself.