Ever noticed those pipes sticking out from under your roof?
Sometimes they drip, sometimes they gush — and each one has a story to tell. Some leaks are perfectly normal,

 while others mean you need to call a plumber right away. Let’s break it down according to SANS regulations:

1️⃣ Small copper pipe — 22 mm diameter

Connected to your Temperature & Pressure Relief (TP) valve, this pipe is a safety feature. If your geyser overheats or the pressure builds up too high, the valve will dump hot, often steaming water through here.

• Why copper? It handles high temperatures without damage.

• If it’s leaking: Switch off your geyser at the distribution board — the dripping should stop once the water cools. Call a plumber to check your thermostat and element.

• If it leaks even when cool: The TP valve itself may be faulty and needs replacing.

2️⃣ Slightly thinner copper pipe — 15 mm diameter
This is from your Pressure Control Valve (PCV/PRV), fitted on the cold water line to your geyser. Its job is to protect the geyser if the incoming water pressure is too high. The PRV rating should always match your geyser’s rating.

• Occasional drips: Normal — it’s just relieving excess pressure.

• Constant or streaming leak: The valve might need servicing or replacing. Time to call a plumber.

3️⃣ Large PVC pipe — ±50 mm diameter
This comes from the geyser drip tray under the tank. If you see water here, you may have a serious leak or even a burst geyser.

• Action: Turn off the water supply to the geyser immediately and get a plumber out before ceiling damage occurs.

💡 In short:

• Tiny 15 mm pipe drip? Usually fine.

• Water from the 22 mm copper or 50 mm PVC pipe? That’s your cue to get an expert in quickly.