If you have a hot water system problem, but you’re not too sure if it’s an emergency, ask yourself the following questions: 

Is the water temperature too high?

Is the water coming out colder than it should be?

Do you smell gas?

Is your hot water tank leaking?

Is there no water running if you turn on the hot tap?

Are there strange noises coming from your hot water system?

If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, you should call an emergency plumber immediately. Reach out to Plumbdog on 1300 844 146 – we’re happy to help! 

Common causes of hot water issues include blocked pilot tubes, where gas flow can be obstructed by cobwebs, faulty thermocouples, blocked line strainers, faulty solenoids and faulty ignition packs.

Faults can also occur in hot water tempering valves, which mix hot water with cold to ensure safe maximum temperature at the outlets. Most hot water heaters also contain sacrificial anodes which protect the unit against corrosion, and these must be replaced periodically.

Our fully qualified hot water plumbers will assess the overall age and condition of your hot water unit and, if unit replacement isn’t required, can advise on a hot water servicing plan that will maximize the efficiency and service life of your existing system.

If we find that your hot water system is beyond repair, we can supply a range of replacement gas and electric hot water systems, including instantaneous or continuous flow and storage models by leading brands including Rinnai, Rheem, Dux, Bosch, Vulcan, and Rinnai. Plumbdog is always upfront about pricing and we offer competitive pricing.

We can often do same day system replacement, but if our suppliers are closed we can hook you up with an emergency hot water system in the meantime and return after suppliers have opened to install your new hot water heater.

If your hot water system is not supplying hot water or the water is at an insufficient temperature, troubleshoot the issue by trying the following options:

Check electricity supply: Check that both the isolating switch (usually at the main switchboard) and the switch next to the heater are both in the ON position. If you have a fuse box, check if the fuse needs replacing. This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised!

Check pilot flame: If you have a gas instantaneous system, the pilot flame can sometimes go out, for example, if the gas supply is temporarily interrupted. Most systems have easy to follow instructions on how to reignite the pilot flame.

Check the thermostat: On some units, you can adjust the thermostat setting yourself. If your water is coming out at the wrong temperature check that it is on the right setting. Note – this should be done with caution, especially if you don’t have tempering valves installed, as setting it at too high a temperature can cause scalding. We always recommended that you have a plumber check and set your thermostat.

Monitor your hot water use: If you have a storage hot water system, it might simply not be able to keep up with your daily usage, especially if you have guests. If this is occurring regularly you may want to consider upgrading to a higher capacity system.

Insufficient water flow: Instantaneous or continuous flow hot water systems have a burner which won’t ignite if your hot water tap is only slightly turned on. Try opening the tap further and let the water flow for at least 10 seconds.