Hot Water Repairs - Common Problems and Solutions

There are many signs you might need to call a hot water plumbing Sydney specialist. Here we look at the most common indicators as well as the potential causes.

• No hot water 

This is a very straightforward sign to detect. You turn the taps on and little to no water comes out. This could be the result of a tripped circuit breaker, faulty thermostat or malfunctioning heating device. 

• Low hot water pressure 

A build-up of sediment in the tank might be responsible for weak water pressure. 

• Inconsistent water temperature 

The thermostat or heating element of your hot water system could be responsible for temperature fluctuation and irregularities. 

• Pilot light outages

If the pilot light continues to go out, you may have an issue with the gas supply. 

• Discoloured water 

If the water tank is corroding or an anode rod has started to deteriorate, you can expect to find murky or rusty-coloured water running out of your tap. 

• Hot water heating system making odd noises 

Banging, rumbling, and popping noises are not good sounds coming from your hot water system. This could be due to sediment build-up, which causes water to boil over. 

• Hot water leaks 

If you can see water pooling around the base of the water heating unit or even dripping from the tank itself, you have a leak that requires immediate attention. 

• Bad-smelling or tasting water 

Can you detect a whiff of sulphur in the water? It’s akin to rotten eggs and also has an unusual taste. This would suggest bacterial growth in the tank, which could be linked to anode rod problems. 

• A spike in hot water bills

If your bills are rising but life continues as usual and water company prices have not increased, your water heating could be the culprit. If it’s having to work double time, then there is either sediment in the tank or the system is faulty. 

• Age 



Whilst not a sign per se, if your hot water heating system is older than 10 - 15 years, it might not be performing nearly as well as it did in its prime, and a replacement might save you future heartache.

If you are experiencing a hot water problem that puts anyone at risk or could damage property, you very likely need an emergency plumber Sydney. In this instance, the best thing to do is call our 24/7 service on 1300 625 077 and talk us through the issue. Our professional plumbers can immediately advise if you require emergency water heater repair.

There are many reasons you don’t want to put off this kind of plumbing repair work. 

• Danger to human wellbeing 

Water and electricity (upon which a hot water system relies) can make for incredibly hazardous situations. Leaks can create mildew and mould build-up, which can be harmful (particularly if anyone in the household suffers from respiratory health issues).

• Property damage 

A minor leak can rapidly escalate into a major hot water emergency requiring new parts and components or a complete system replacement. 

• High costs 

If you let the problem persist, chances are the system will use more energy to do the job. If leaks are the problem; that’s water wasted. Whatever way you look at it, these resources will cost you money. And remember, a 24/7 emergency plumbing fee (which you might very well end up needing) costs more than a standard business-hours booking.

• Water wastage 

We live in a time where it’s irresponsible to waste one of the most precious commodities on the planet. 

• Product longevity 

Letting problems persist can compromise your hot water unit over time and lead to a replacement sooner rather than later. 

• Lifestyle 

Don’t you just want to turn on the hot water tap and expect lovely, hot water to flow out? Equally, don’t you step into your home in the middle of winter and anticipate warming up, rather than feeling every bit as cold as you were outside?

There are many reasons that might cause your water system to play up, including: 

• Debris and sediment build up in the tank 
• Faulty, damaged or ageing shower heads and taps 
• Water leaks 
• Blocked filters 
• Faulty tempering valves 
• Pipe corrosion or even the wrong-sized pipe 
• Pressure regulator issues 
• The altitude of your home
  

Here at Rose Bay Plumbing, we take the following hot water plumbing services steps to diagnose the problem:

1. Initial Assessment 

• We ask the homeowner a series of questions to begin to understand the problem generally. 
• We undertake a preliminary visual inspection, paying attention to the tank, pipes and fittings and looking for obvious signs of damage, ageing or faults.

    2. System Shut-Down 

• We turn off the power and water supply to ensure everyone’s safety and to keep the property protected. 

   3.  Detailed Inspection 

• We examine all parts of the system looking at valve connection integrity, the quality of fittings, signs of corrosion, rust or sediment build-up.

   4. Testing Heating Elements 

• We use a multimeter to test the heating elements and thermostat and inspect the pilot light, thermocouple and burner. 

   5. Water Pressure & Flow Tests 

• We measure the water pressure across multiple points in the system and test the flow rate. 

   6. Water Temperature Tests 

• Using a thermometer, we measure the water temperature and compare it to the heater’s thermostat setting. 

   7. Mineral and Sediment Check 

• We drain and flush the tank to remove any build-up of sediment or minerals and check the anode rod for corrosion. 

  8. Plumbing Inspection 

• Last but certainly not least, we examine all pipes linked to the heating system. We check for corrosion, leaks, blocks, wear and tear etc. We also look at shut-off and mixing valves to ensure their smooth operation.

Combining these steps ensures we can confidently diagnose the problem and, therefore, recommend how to fix it.

Sydney customers keep coming back to our team of professional local plumbers for many reasons. 

We’ve been servicing homes and businesses across the city since 1979, so there’s no plumbing problem we haven’t seen and fixed. We’re Master Plumbers and our owner, Greg, was even the President. Our 100% plumbing guarantee gives customers plenty of peace of mind. We’re also fully insured, compliant and accredited, giving customers even more confidence that they will always have an experienced professional on board who knows what they’re doing. This is particularly important given hot water plumbing services often involve an element of risk.

Your hot water might be running cold (or not at all!) for many reasons, including sediment build-up in the tank, a problem with the gas supply, ageing components and equipment, water leaks and many more reasons. Contact our professional plumbers to arrange a diagnosis of the problem before it escalates, causing more damage and costing more in repairs.

Some of the more common causes of low-pressure hot water are sediment build-up in your water heater system tank, leaky pipes or fixtures, a faulty pressure regulator, and a partially closed shut-off valve. Rose Bay Plumbing can undertake a thorough inspection to quickly and accurately diagnose the problem.

You need to consider several factors before deciding whether to replace a hot water heating system, including the age of equipment, the proposed cost of repair work, the current energy efficiency, and how often you think repair work may be necessary. We recommend contacting our local plumbing experts, explaining the problem to them, and getting some expert advice.

We’re here to help day or night with whatever Sydney hot water system problem you have. Contact our team today!