Quick answer
Cylinder leaks show as water in the drip tray with rust staining on the cylinder body itself. Fitting leaks are localised — a damp copper joint with a dry, corrosion-free cylinder above it. The distinction matters enormously: a fitting leak is a thirty-minute repair, while a leaking cylinder means a full replacement plus a Plumbing COC. Wipe everything dry and look again in thirty minutes to see where water actually reappears.
What you can do now
- 1Wipe every surface completely dry — cylinder, fittings, tray and pipework
- 2Return after thirty minutes and note exactly where water has reappeared first
- 3Look for rust staining on the cylinder body itself, which points at the cylinder rather than a fitting
- 4Check whether the water is inside the drip tray or only at the overflow pipe outside
- 5Photograph what you find before calling, so the plumber arrives with the right parts
When to call a professional
Call either way, but the answer changes the job. A fitting or gasket leak is a quick repair; a leaking cylinder needs replacement and a Plumbing COC confirming SANS 10254 compliance. If you cannot tell, isolate power and water and book a call-out rather than waiting — a cylinder that is weeping today can open up overnight and take the ceiling with it.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
Fitting fix R450–R950 · Replacement R7,500+
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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