Do Hot Water Systems Need Servicing? | Network Know How

Telltale Signs You Need A Hot Water System Service

Avoid putting yourself in a serious plumbing situation where you run out of hot water on a weekend or late at night and are in need of an emergency plumber! Hot water system maintenance is the most important step when it comes to ensuring you get the most out of your hot water heater. There are some telltale signs to make note of that are like warning signs that your hot water heater is longing for some TLC... Here they are:

1. You haven't had hot water servicing in 2+ years.
2. Strange noises coming from your heating system.
3. Discoloured water coming from your hot water taps.
4. The hot water tank is leaking.
5. Fluctuation of your hot water temperature.
6. Increased household demand.
7. No hot water

There may be some other signs, however, these 7 are the main ones o look out for. Don't put up with cold showers for any longer than you need. Turn that cold water back to hot by booking a professional plumber to have your hot water unit serviced regularly and provide professional advice on how to resolve a hot water heater problem.

Hot Water System Maintenance

Generally speaking, your hot water system needs servicing roughly every 2 years but this may vary depending on the type of water heaters you have. Annual maintenance is not often required. If you are having your hot water unit regularly serviced then you will be enjoying the benefits of an efficient hot water service and avoiding any unnecessary repairs.

There are some important components that make up hot water tanks, which include the pressure relief valve, TPR valve, sacrificial anodes, the tank itself, pilot light as well as plumbing and electric components. There will be times when your plumber who services the water tank will recommend replacing some of these parts as they have failed or are not doing their job anymore. The repair cost of each part will vary depending on the specific brand. Keep your water heater manual handy as it is good to know the manufactures' warranty on the system serviced as it may cover some of the parts for a certain period of time from the hot water system installation.

If you are unsure of when you last had your hot water system serviced or whether you have ever had your hot water heater services then give our water systems expert a call to assess your hot water system needs. If it's a simple job, the assessment and servicing needed should only take roughly one hour of your time. If the maintenance requires some parts to be repaired or replaced then it could take a few hours depending on the plumbing needs. Here at Network Plumbing our team of experts will provide clear & amazing service to ensure you are well aware of the plumbing requirements and maintenance needed to get your hot water system back to running at full capacity.

Hot Water Heater Repairs

Here is a short explanation of the different parts that your hot water systems needs...

TPR Valve

The primary function of the water Temperature & Pressure Relief Valves (TPR) is to release any build-up of excess tank water pressure. If your TPR valve should not be continually running... if it is, it may be an indication that it is time to have it replaced.

Sacrificial Anode

Located internally in hot water systems is the sacrificial anode. This “magnesium” anode is installed by the manufacturer to prevent the tank from rusting by attracting the minerals in our water supply to the anode rather than the hot water tank. Unfortunately after 5 years, the anode stops working as efficiently, your hot water system can begin to rapidly rust. In areas of 'hard water,' it may need replacing even sooner. Extending the life of your hot water system may also be as simple as changing the sacrificial anode with your scheduled regular service.

Thermostatic Mixing Valve

A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is designed to give you greater control of your hot water safety in the home or at work to ensure you cant heat water above the Australian standard. the TMV will mix cold water with the hot to make sure it does not exceed the legal water temperature setting in the home. You may want to set the maximum temperature supplied to the bathroom at 43 - 38 degrees while still maintaining that 50-degree temperature for hot water in the kitchen sink. TMVs are mainly used in commercial properties and strata blocks.

Pilot Light And Gas Pressure

These are important parts of a gas hot water system. If the gas pressure is too low then the hot water system will not heat up at an efficient rate. If the pilot fails to light then the gas hot water system will not produce any hot water at all. A trained and licensed plumbing professional will be able to clean or repair it, and also test your gas pressure to ensure your existing hot water system is working to its best ability.

How Long Should A Hot Water System Last?

With regular servicing by a professional plumbing expert, you should get the most out of your hot water unit. There are different rules of thumb for the different types of hot water services on the market. The general rule of thumb for the different types of water heaters is as follows:

Storage Tank Hot Water System 8-12 Years

The average lifespan of an electric tank is approx. 8-12 years. (depending on servicing every 2 years and the quality of the water used).

Continuous Flow Hot Water System 10-12 Years

A gas hot water system that's a continuously flowing unit could last 10-12 years, approx if you regularly service it every 2 years.

Heat Pump Hot Water System 10 Years+

Your heat pump hot water system may last approx. 10 years plus with regular servicing.

Solar Hot Water System 15-20 Years

A solar hot water system could last anywhere from 15 to 20 years plus, approx. (with regular 5-year service).

The above time frames are accurate if you book in regular maintenance for your system with a professional & licensed plumber.

At Network Plumbing, we are dedicated to supplying and maintaining your hot water system for 100% satisfaction and safety. We don't just do hot water, we can help you with all your plumbing needs from general plumbing maintenance, clearing a blocked drain, gas fitting, or any other plumbing job, please contact our office on 9023 3232. We also have an emergency plumber on stand by 24/7 so you are never left with a hot water problem out of business hours.