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A functional hot water service is something we often take for granted, especially in the depths of winter. This is why it’s such an inconvenience when it’s no longer working properly. Whether you’ve been noticing a few gradual signs or there’s no hot water at all, we’re here to give you a quick breakdown of the most common issues.
As one of the leading names in the Australian plumbing industry, we’ve seen almost every scenario you could imagine. Today, we’ll dive into the most common reasons your hot water service is no longer working as it should.
Let’s start with one of the most obvious issues–when there is no hot water coming out of your taps at all.
Power Supply Issues: For electric hot water systems, this might be due to a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, or a disconnected power cord. Gas systems might suffer from a similar problem if the gas supply is interrupted or the pilot light goes out. Power surges or outages may also cause your hot water system to stop working entirely.
Faulty Thermostat or Heating Element: In electric units, a malfunctioning thermostat or heating element could prevent the system from heating water effectively. The thermostat regulates the water temperature, and if it fails, the system may not heat the water at all. Gas units also experience problems with their gas control valves, which regulate the flow of gas to the burner. Heat pump systems can face similar issues if there is an electrical fault or if the pump itself is defective.
Power Supply Issues: If you own an electric unit and resetting the circuit breaker doesn’t resolve the problem, an electrician should be contacted to inspect the wiring and ensure there are no underlying electrical faults.
Faulty Thermostat or Heating Element: Diagnosing and replacing these components requires expertise, especially for gas and electric units. A licensed plumber or technician should always handle these repairs to maintain safety and compliance with regulations.
Gas Units: If you have a gas hot water system, a lack of hot water could be due to issues with the pilot light, gas supply, or gas valve. Gas-related issues are particularly dangerous and should always be addressed by a qualified gas fitter.
Next up we’re going to highlight another common issue. In this case, we are not referring to the typical lack of hot water after a lengthy shower, but rather when the hot water seems to be running out much sooner than normal.
Malfunctioning Thermostat: For electric units, a thermostat that isn’t functioning correctly won’t maintain the water at the desired temperature. This then leads to the hot water running out sooner than expected.
Sediment Build-Up: Sediment may accumulate in the tank over time, which insulates the heating elements and makes them less efficient overall. This reduces the ability of the tank to hold quantities of hot water.
System Sizing: If the water heater is undersized for your household needs, it may simply not have the capacity to meet demand.
Heat Pump Issues: Inadequate airflow or refrigerant levels can both impact a heat pump systems’ ability to maintain sufficient hot water for extended periods.
Thermostat Problems: If adjusting the thermostat doesn’t resolve the issue, a professional should inspect and potentially replace the thermostat.
Sediment Build-Up: A plumber can safely flush the tank to remove sediment. This process tends to be more complex, especially for larger tanks.
System Sizing: If your water heater is undersized, a professional assessment can help to pinpoint a more appropriate system size and type for your home.
Heat Pump Units: If the issue is related to the heat pump’s airflow or refrigerant, an HVAC specialist should be called to diagnose and fix the problem.
Whether you need assistance with your hot water service in West Bendigo or Bundaberg, PlumbCall is Australia’s most reliable team for emergency repairs and maintenance. Contact your nearest PlumbCall team for any hot water issues!
Next, let’s address the issue of low water pressure, which can significantly disrupt daily activities. This problem can occur in any type of hot water system and can be particularly frustrating.
Sediment Build-Up: Minerals and sediment can accumulate in the pipes and water heater tank, restricting water flow and leading to decreased pressure. This is common in areas with hard water.
Faulty Pressure Regulator: A malfunctioning pressure regulator can cause either too high or too low water pressure. This device controls the water pressure entering your home.
Leaks: Leaks in the plumbing system, including pipes leading to and from the hot water heater, can reduce water pressure. Leaks can result from corrosion, damaged pipes, or loose connections.
Valve Issues: Partially closed or malfunctioning valves within the water heater or plumbing system can restrict water flow, leading to lower pressure. This includes shut-off valves and pressure relief valves.
Sediment Build-Up: A plumber should flush the water heater and inspect the pipes to remove sediment and ensure clear water flow.
Faulty Pressure Regulator: A professional should test and replace the pressure regulator if it is malfunctioning to ensure safe and functional water pressure.
Leaks: A plumber should inspect the entire system to locate and fix any leaks, ensuring watertight plumbing and restoring proper water pressure.
Valve Issues: A plumber should inspect and replace any faulty valves to ensure they are functioning correctly and not restricting water flow.
Hot water, especially at higher temperatures, is essential for day-to-day activities like doing the dishes. So, if you’ve noticed that even at the highest setting, your taps aren’t pumping out the level of warmth you need, something may have gone awry.
Thermostat Settings: The thermostat may be set too low, which in turn prevents the water from reaching the desired temperature.
Malfunctioning Heating Element: In the case of electric water heaters, a heating element that is no longer able to heat the water properly may be the culprit. Over time, these elements can burn out or become coated with sediment.
Gas Burner Issues: For gas water heaters, a problem with the gas burner, such as dirt or a malfunction, will also affect the level of heating. A weak or failing pilot light is also another common cause of insufficient heating.
Heat Pump Issues: If you own a heat pump system, there may be an issue with the refrigerant or compressor components. These systems rely on extracting heat from the air, and any disruption in this process is likely to result in water that isn’t quite warm enough.
Thermostat Adjustment and Replacement: If adjusting the thermostat doesn’t improve the water temperature, a professional should inspect and replace it if necessary.
Heating Elements: Due to the electrical risks involved, replacing heating elements in electric units is a task solely reserved for a licensed plumber or electrician.
Gas Burners: For gas units, problems with the gas burner or pilot light require the assistance of a qualified gas fitter.
Heat Pump Efficiency: If a heat pump unit isn’t heating water effectively, a technician can check for issues with the compressor, fan, or refrigerant levels.
Leaks may be less obvious, but no less detrimental to the health of your hot water service. Let’s quickly explore the likely causes and when to call in a professional.
Corrosion: Over time, corrosion may begin to build-up in the tank and its components, especially in older systems or those that have not been properly maintained.
High Pressure: High pressure within the tank (beyond the normal levels) can cause leaks, particularly if the pressure relief valve is faulty and fails to release excess pressure.
Faulty Valves or Loose Connections: The pressure relief valve, drain valve, or inlet/outlet connections have the potential to develop leaks if they are not properly tightened or if they become worn out.
Refrigerant Line Issues: In the case of heat pump systems, leaks might occur due to refrigerant line issues or problems with the water connections.
Corrosion: A plumber should inspect the tank for corrosion. If the tank is compromised, it may need to be replaced.
Pressure Relief Valve: A faulty pressure relief valve should be replaced by a professional to ensure the system operates safely.
Connections and Fittings: Tightening and replacing connections and fittings should be handled by a plumber to prevent further leaks and ensure a proper seal.
Gas Units: Leaks in gas units, especially near the gas lines, require immediate attention from a licensed gas fitter due to the risk of gas leaks and explosions.
Noticing a distinctive noise whenever you turn on the hot water? Whether it’s rumbling, popping, screeching, clicking, whistling or something else, this often indicates why your hot water service is no longer working properly.
Sediment Build-Up: Minerals in the water can sometimes begin to settle at the bottom of the tank, creating a layer of sediment that can cause rumbling, popping, or hissing sounds as the heating elements try to heat through the sediment. This is a common issue for both electric and gas water heaters.
Expansion and Contraction: The metal parts of the tank have the potential to expand and contract with temperature changes, resulting in banging or knocking noises.
Mechanical Issues: Transitioning to heat pump systems, unusual noises might come from mechanical issues within the pump or fan. These systems rely on moving parts to extract heat from the air, and any mechanical failure can result in abnormal sounds.
Sediment Build-Up: A plumber can flush the tank to remove sediment and inspect for any underlying issues.
Heating Elements: Replacing or repairing heating elements should be done by a professional to ensure safe and effective operation.
Heat Pump Mechanics: For heat pump units, unusual noises might indicate mechanical issues that require an HVAC technician’s expertise to diagnose and repair.
Expansion and Contraction: If noises persist, a professional should inspect the tank and its components to ensure everything is functioning correctly and safely.
No one appreciates foul odours, especially when you’re about to have a shower, wash your hands or do the household dishes. Sometimes, these odours are an obvious indication of why the hot water unit isn’t functioning properly.
Bacteria Growth: Bacteria can thrive in the warm stagnant water of the tank, leading to unpleasant smells similar to rotten eggs. This is more common in systems that are not regularly maintained or in areas with high sulphur content in the water.
Anode Rod Reaction: The anode rod, which is designed to prevent corrosion by attracting corrosive elements in the water, can sometimes react with the water and create hydrogen sulphide gas, contributing to the odour.
Infrequent Use: For electric and gas water heaters, infrequent use allows the water to sit in the tank and become stagnant.
Tank Cleaning: Cleaning and sanitising the tank should be performed by a plumber to ensure that any bacteria is eliminated safely.
Anode Rod Replacement: A plumber can replace the anode rod with a zinc alloy rod to reduce bacteria growth.
Water Treatment Systems: If foul odours persist, installing a water treatment system to address high sulphur content might be necessary, and this should be handled by a water treatment specialist.
Regular Maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional can help prevent odours by ensuring the system is clean and operating correctly.
Although many hot water service issues stem from the opposite side of the spectrum, there are also cases where the water being pumped out is too hot. If any of the situations below apply to you, make sure to contact your local PlumbCall team for assistance today!
Thermostat Settings: If the thermostat is set too high, leading to excessively hot water.
Malfunctioning Thermostat: In electric water heaters, a malfunctioning thermostat can cause the heating elements to run continuously, resulting in overly hot water.
Faulty Gas Control Valve: In the case of gas water heaters, a faulty gas control valve can cause the burner to operate for longer than necessary, overheating the water.
Mixing Valve Issues: A malfunctioning mixing valve, which blends hot and cold water to achieve a safe temperature, can also cause excessively hot water.
Thermostat Issues: A professional should inspect and replace the thermostat if it’s not functioning correctly.
Mixing Valve Malfunction: A plumber can assess and repair or replace a faulty mixing valve to ensure safe water temperatures.
System Inspection: For gas and electric units, incorrect installation or a malfunctioning component should be addressed
If you’re tired of having to suffer through tepid or low-pressure showers every morning, it might be time to have your hot water system looked at by a trusted professional. With hot water plumbers available across the country, we offer a 24 hour immediate response, guaranteed speed, and a 100% money back guarantee for hot water repairs.
From heat pump to electric, gas and instantaneous systems, PlumbCall’s licensed plumbers have the skills, equipment, and expertise to resolve any hot water issue. There’s no need to sit back and speculate why your hot water service isn’t working properly–call 1300 669 111 or book online and get a real solution today!
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