Circuit Masters

1. Do you charge a call-out fee, and what does it cover?

We charge a call-out fee only when a client chooses not to proceed with the repair after the technician has attended and provided a quotation. When the repair goes ahead, the call-out cost is incorporated into the total repair price — you do not pay it as a separate line item. The call-out fee covers the technician’s travel to your location, the time spent on-site diagnosing the fault, and the preparation of your quotation. In Centurion, our standard business-hours call-out fee ranges from R450 to R650. Emergency and after-hours callouts carry a higher fee, which we communicate clearly before dispatching a technician.

2. How quickly can a technician reach me in Centurion?

In most Centurion suburbs, we can have a technician at your door the same day you call, provided you contact us during business hours. This is possible because our 35 mobile technicians are not dispatched from a single central depot — they begin each day already positioned across different parts of Centurion. A technician in Eldoraigne, Rooihuiskraal, or Midstream Estate is already nearby when you call, not driving in from Pretoria East or Johannesburg. For urgent situations such as a burst geyser, a failed cold room, or a fridge full of food that has stopped cooling, we treat these as priority callouts and respond as quickly as possible.

3. Do you repair both domestic and commercial appliances?

Yes. We service the full spectrum from domestic household appliances to commercial refrigeration, cold rooms, ice machines, commercial laundry equipment, and catering equipment. Our commercial clients include restaurants, hotels, retail stores, bottle stores, medical facilities, office parks, schools, and guesthouses throughout Centurion. Commercial repair work is treated as a priority because we understand that appliance downtime in a business environment has a direct financial impact that homeowners do not face to the same degree.

4. What brands of appliances do you repair?

We repair virtually all appliance brands sold in South Africa, including Samsung, LG, Bosch, Defy, Whirlpool, KIC, Smeg, AEG, Kelvinator, Hisense, Miele, Siemens, Electrolux, Zanussi, Beko, Candy, Indesit, Speed Queen, Univa, Liebherr, Daikin, Midea, Carrier, and more. Premium European brands such as Miele, Bosch, Smeg, and Siemens require specific technical knowledge and genuine parts, both of which our team has access to through our manufacturer supply partnerships. If your brand is not listed, call us on 079 976 2941 and we will confirm whether we can assist — in the majority of cases, we can.

5. Do you use genuine parts or compatible replacement parts?

We use genuine manufacturer-approved parts wherever possible, sourced through our direct partnerships with appliance manufacturers. This is one of the key reasons we can offer a workmanship guarantee on every repair. Genuine parts are engineered to the exact specifications of your appliance, which means they perform correctly, last longer, and do not create compatibility issues that could lead to secondary faults down the line. Compatible aftermarket parts are used in specific cases where genuine parts are unavailable or where the cost difference is significantly prohibitive relative to the appliance’s value — and only when we are confident in the quality of the alternative. We are always transparent about which type of part is being used and why.

6. Is my repair guaranteed, and what does the guarantee cover?

Yes. Every repair carried out by Centurion Appliance Repairs is backed by a workmanship guarantee. If the same fault that was repaired returns within the guarantee period, we return to your home or business and rectify it at no charge. The guarantee covers the specific fault that was repaired and the parts installed. It does not cover new or unrelated faults that develop after the repair, damage caused by power surges, user error, or external factors beyond the scope of the original repair. Our guarantee reflects the confidence we have in our workmanship and the quality of the parts we use.

7. How do I know whether to repair or replace my appliance?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and our technicians are trained to give you an honest, unbiased answer rather than simply recommending the more expensive option. As a general rule of thumb, if the repair cost exceeds 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a comparable replacement appliance and the unit is already more than 10 years old, replacement often makes more financial sense. However, this varies depending on the appliance type, the brand, the nature of the fault, and how well the appliance has been maintained. A 12-year-old Miele washing machine with a worn bearing, for example, may still be worth repairing because the cost of a comparable new Miele far exceeds the repair cost. Our technicians assess each situation individually and give you a straight recommendation.

8. Can you repair my appliance the same day, or will I need to wait for parts?

The majority of repairs are completed on the first visit because our technicians carry the most commonly needed parts in their service vehicles. This includes items such as washing machine door seals, drain pumps, drive belts, oven elements, geyser elements and thermostats, fridge start relays and defrost components, and air conditioner capacitors. Where a specific part is not on the vehicle — typically for less common models, premium European brands, or more unusual faults — we source the part through our manufacturer supply channels and return as quickly as possible. We will always give you an honest lead time estimate when a return visit is required.

9. Are your technicians certified and qualified?

Yes. All our technicians are certified with the relevant appliance repair boards and hold the qualifications required for the categories of work they perform. This includes gas competency certification for technicians who work on gas stoves, gas hobs, gas geysers, and gas fireplaces. Certification matters because it is the difference between a repair that is performed correctly, safely, and in compliance with manufacturer specifications, and one that may void your appliance warranty, create safety risks, or cause secondary damage. When you book with Centurion Appliance Repairs, the person arriving at your door is a qualified professional — not an unaccredited general handyman.

10. Do you repair gas appliances, and is it safe to have a gas appliance repaired at home?

Yes, we repair gas stoves, gas hobs, gas geysers, and gas fireplaces throughout Centurion. Gas appliance repairs must always be carried out by a technician who holds the appropriate gas competency qualification. Our gas-qualified technicians follow all relevant safety protocols and compliance requirements when working on gas systems. It is completely safe to have gas appliances repaired at your home by a qualified technician — in fact, it is significantly safer than attempting a DIY repair or using an unqualified person. If you have a gas appliance that is behaving unusually — a pilot light that will not stay lit, a burner that loses flame during cooking, or a gas geyser that does not ignite — do not attempt to diagnose it yourself. Turn off the gas supply at the cylinder or meter and contact us immediately.

11. My fridge is running but not cooling — what is likely wrong, and how urgent is it?

A fridge that is running but not cooling is one of the most urgent domestic appliance faults because food spoilage begins within two to four hours at temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius. The most common causes are a refrigerant gas leak, a failed compressor, a blocked condenser coil, a faulty thermostat, or a defrost system fault causing ice to block the evaporator airflow. The fault cannot be self-diagnosed accurately without the correct diagnostic tools — a fridge that feels slightly cool may be operating at 12 or 15 degrees internally, which is well within the danger zone for perishable food. Call us as soon as you notice the problem. Move temperature-sensitive food to a cooler or neighbour’s fridge while you wait for the technician.

12. My washing machine is making a loud grinding noise during the spin cycle — do I need to stop using it?

Yes. A loud grinding, rumbling, or roaring noise during the spin cycle almost always indicates worn drum bearings. Continuing to use the machine accelerates the wear significantly and risks secondary damage to the drum spider arm, the drum shaft, and the outer tub — all of which are considerably more expensive to replace than the bearings themselves. Stop using the machine and contact us to arrange a repair. Bearing replacement is one of the most common washing machine repairs we carry out and, in most cases, is significantly more cost-effective than replacing the machine.

13. How do I know if my geyser needs to be repaired or fully replaced?

If your geyser is less than 10 years old and the fault is a failed element, thermostat, or pressure valve, repair is almost always the right choice — these are straightforward, cost-effective repairs. If the geyser tank itself is leaking from the body of the tank (as opposed to from a valve or fitting), the tank has corroded internally and the geyser needs to be replaced — a corroded tank cannot be repaired. If the geyser is more than 12 to 15 years old and has suffered a significant fault, replacement is often more economical than repair because the tank may be close to the end of its serviceable life regardless. Our technicians will assess the geyser on-site and give you a clear recommendation. A burst geyser that is actively flooding must be treated as an emergency — isolate your water supply at the main stop valve and call us immediately on 079 976 2941.

14. Can you repair my air conditioner that is not cooling, and do you recharge gas on-site?

Yes to both. An air conditioner that is running but not cooling is most commonly caused by low refrigerant charge, dirty condenser coils, or in more serious cases, a failing compressor. Our technicians carry the appropriate refrigerants for current systems and can perform a full gas recharge on-site during the same visit. However, it is important to understand that refrigerant does not deplete on its own — if your system is low on gas, there is a leak somewhere in the system. A recharge without leak detection and repair is a temporary fix that will need to be repeated. Our technicians check for leaks before recommending a recharge, and repair the leak source as part of the service where it is accessible.

15. Do you service air conditioners as well as repair them, and how often should servicing be done?

Yes, we provide full air conditioner servicing in addition to fault repairs. A standard service visit includes cleaning of the indoor and outdoor units, filter cleaning or replacement, inspection and clearing of the condensate drain line, checking of electrical connections, refrigerant level assessment, and full operational testing across all modes. We recommend servicing split-unit air conditioners at least once a year for residential units and every six months for commercial units that run continuously. Regular servicing extends the lifespan of the unit, maintains energy efficiency, and prevents the build-up of conditions that lead to breakdowns — particularly blocked drainage, which is one of the most common causes of water leaking inside a room from the indoor unit.

16. My cold room temperature is rising — how urgent is this, and what should I do while waiting for a technician?

A rising cold room temperature is a commercial emergency and must be treated as one. Every hour above safe refrigeration temperature puts your stock at risk and potentially creates a food safety compliance issue. Call us immediately on 079 976 2941 and describe the situation — we will prioritise your callout. While waiting for the technician, keep the cold room door closed as much as possible to retain the remaining cold air. If you have portable coolers or ice available, use them to protect your most temperature-sensitive stock. The most common causes of a rising cold room temperature are a refrigerant leak, a condenser fan that has stopped, dirty condenser coils preventing heat rejection, or a door seal that is no longer airtight. Our technicians carry the diagnostic equipment and commonly needed parts to address most cold room faults on the first visit.

17. Do you repair dishwashers that are not cleaning properly, and what usually causes this?

Yes, poor cleaning performance is one of the most common dishwasher faults we repair. The most frequent cause is blocked spray arms — the small holes in the spray arms become clogged with food debris, limescale, and mineral deposits over time, reducing the water pressure and coverage across the wash cycle. This is easy to overlook because the dishwasher appears to be running normally. Other causes include a failing circulation pump that is not generating adequate water pressure, a blocked or failed water inlet valve restricting the fill volume, or a faulty wash temperature sensor. Using the wrong detergent, insufficient rinse aid, or loading the dishwasher in a way that blocks the spray arms can also cause poor wash results without any mechanical fault being present. Our technician will identify the specific cause and repair it accordingly.

18. Can you repair appliances inside security estates and gated communities in Centurion?

Yes. We work regularly inside Centurion’s security estates and gated communities including Midstream Estate, Midfield Estate, Zwartkop Golf Estate, Irene Farm Villages, Amberfield, and others. When booking your appointment, simply inform us that you are in a security estate and provide any access instructions or visitor registration requirements. Our technicians carry identification and will comply with all estate access procedures. If your estate requires pre-registration of service providers, let us know in advance and we will provide whatever documentation is needed.

19. What is the difference between a gas geyser and an electric geyser, and which is better for load shedding?

An electric geyser uses an electrical heating element to heat water stored in a tank and requires a continuous Eskom power supply to operate. When load shedding occurs, an electric geyser stops heating and the stored hot water gradually cools. A gas geyser is an instantaneous water heater that heats water on demand using LPG or natural gas and operates completely independently of the electrical grid. During load shedding, a gas geyser continues to function normally provided the gas supply is maintained. For this reason, gas geysers have become increasingly popular in Centurion over the past several years as a load shedding solution. Gas geysers also typically have lower running costs than electric geysers because they only consume gas when hot water is actually being drawn, rather than continuously maintaining a full tank at temperature. We install both electric and gas geysers throughout Centurion and can advise you on the most appropriate option for your household size, usage pattern, and budget.

20. How do I book a repair, and what information should I have ready when I call?

Booking a repair with us is straightforward. Call us on 079 976 2941 or send a WhatsApp message to the same number. When you contact us, it helps to have the following information ready: your name and full address including suburb, the make and model of the appliance if you can find it on the appliance label, a description of the fault or the symptoms you are experiencing, and your preferred appointment time or any time constraints you have. The more detail you can provide upfront, the better we can prepare the right technician with the appropriate parts before arriving — which increases the likelihood of a same-visit repair. If you are unsure of the make or model, do not worry — our technicians carry identification tools and can work from the appliance itself. You can also email us at info@centurionappliancerepairs.co.za for non-urgent enquiries or commercial service requests.