Hot water systems are essential for providing a consistent hot water supply in homes and businesses.
Proper hot water system maintenance ensures they operate efficiently and have a longer lifespan. Regular maintenance tasks such as inspecting heating elements, checking pressure relief valves, and flushing the system can prevent breakdowns and improve performance.
Maintaining your hot water system saves energy and reduces costs. It also helps you avoid unexpected failures, ensuring you always have hot water when needed.
Professional Maintenance
The best and simplest hot water system maintenance tip we can give you is this: Get professional maintenance.
You’ll save yourself time, hassle and money in the long run.
And calling the pros is the safer option – hot water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
When to Call a Professional
Knowing when to call a professional for your hot water system maintenance ensures its longevity and efficiency.
Always contact a licensed technician if you notice signs like:
- Leaks
- Rust
- Dents
- Cloudy or smelly water
- Strange noises like rumbling or hissing
- Changes in hot water volume or temperature
- A rotten egg smell indicating bacterial contamination
These issues can be complex and require professional expertise to diagnose and fix.
Annual Professional Servicing
Annual professional maintenance checks offer several benefits. Professionals can conduct thorough inspections to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems.
Servicing includes:
- Checking the heating elements
- Testing the pressure relief valve
- Inspecting the anode rod for corrosion
- Checking the cold water expansion valve
- Ensuring all electrical connections are secure
Regular professional maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your hot water system, improve its efficiency, and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
What to Expect from a Professional Service
A professional hot water system service offers a comprehensive inspection and maintenance routine. The qualified technician will typically:
- Drain and flush the tank: Remove sediment buildup to prevent corrosion and improve efficiency.
- Test the pressure relief valve: Ensure proper function to stop excessive pressure buildup.
- Inspect the anode rod: Check for corrosion and replace it if necessary to protect the tank.
- Check thermostats and heating elements: Use a multimeter to test for continuity and functionality.
- Tighten electrical connections: Ensure all electrical components are securely connected and in good condition.
- Conduct a test cycle: Verify that the system is heating water properly and adjust settings as needed.
Getting professional hot water system maintenance is the best and simplest thing you can do. Companies like Hewitt Trade Services have expertise and know how to resolve any issues.
Hot water systems can fail for several reasons. The most common issues relate to the heating elements, thermostats and tanks.
1. Heating Element and Thermostat Failure
- Heating elements – The heating element in a hot water system cycles thousands of times over its lifespan. This repeated use can lead to wear and eventual failure.
- Thermostats – Faulty thermostats can cause inconsistent water temperatures or prevent the system from heating the water. Regular checks and maintenance can help avoid these issues.
2. Tank Failure
- Expansion and contraction – When water heats up, it expands, putting pressure on the tank. The constant expansion and contraction weaken the tank, eventually leading to leaks or bursts.
- Corrosion and rust – Over time, tanks can corrode and rust. This is a particular issue if the anode rod, a crucial component designed to attract corrosive elements, isn’t regularly replaced. Once the anode rod is spent, the tank begins to wear, eventually leading to failure.
3. Pressure Relief Valve Malfunction
- The pressure relief valve is a safety feature designed to release excess pressure. If it fails, the pressure can build up and potentially cause the tank to burst.
4. Sediment Buildup
- Over time, minerals and sediment can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. This buildup can insulate the water from the heating element, causing the system to work harder and less efficiently. Overheating and failure are likely outcomes.
Regular professional maintenance can extend the life of your hot water system and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Recognising common issues helps you extend the life of your hot water system. And it operates more efficiently when you get problems fixed.
Regular inspections and maintenance are vital to avoiding more severe problems and ensuring a reliable hot water supply.
Wear and Tear
Spotting the early signs of wear and tear on your hot water system is crucial for timely maintenance and avoiding costly repairs. Why wait for the problem to get worse?
Common indicators include leaks around the unit, visible corrosion or rust on the tank, and discoloured water.
These signs often suggest internal corrosion or a failing anode rod, which is responsible for preventing rust inside the tank. Regularly inspecting your system for these issues can help you notice minor problems before they escalate.
The experts can address the issues and keep your hot water system running efficiently.
Noisy Systems
Is your hot water system making strange noises? Banging, popping or rumbling sounds typically indicate sediment buildup in the tank.
As the heating elements warm the water, the sediment creates these noises. Flushing the tank to remove sediment and mineral deposits can often resolve the issue.
If noises persist, it might indicate a bigger problem, like a failing heating element. A professional technician will diagnose any issues.
Inconsistent Water Temperature
Inconsistent water temperature is frustrating. This is often a sign of underlying issues within your hot water system.
Common causes include a malfunctioning thermostat or a broken heating element. Fluctuating temperatures may also result from sediment buildup interfering with the heating process.
Checking and replacing faulty components and flushing the tank can help maintain consistent water temperatures.
- Water leak – Immediately shut off the water supply and call a plumber if water is spraying or flooding from the hot water system.
- Water is cold – This could be a problem with your hot water system’s circuit breaker. Check your fuse box and switch the hot water breaker back on if it has tripped. Wait a while to give the system a chance to heat up. Call a professional technician if the water is still cold.
- Water is too hot – You might need to adjust the temperature dial on the front of the hot water system. Wait an hour and then check the temperature again at the tap. If the temperature doesn’t change, there’s a problem. Contact a plumber to investigate.
- Strange noises – Sounds may be due to metal parts expanding and contracting. Older hot water units are at higher risk. Because mineral deposits form on the inside of the tank. A boiling sound can indicate dangerous overheating and pressure. In this case, call a plumber immediately.
- Faulty tempering valve – Problems with tempering valves can cause a variety of issues including complete loss of hot water supply, a lack of pressure or a reduced hot water temperature.
Experts like Hewitt Trade Services can diagnose and fix any hot water system problems.
Conclusion
Hot water system maintenance is crucial for unit efficiency, longevity and safe operation.
Ignoring the signs your system needs servicing will lead to worse problems in the long run. Professional technicians will identify any issues and resolve them before they escalate.
Always contact the experts if you notice:
- Leaks
- Rust
- Dents
- Cloudy or smelly water
- Strange noises like rumbling or hissing
- Changes in hot water volume or temperature
- A rotten egg smell indicating bacterial contamination
Are you due for hot water system maintenance? Hewitt Trade Services can help.
Hewitt Trade Services is the best in the hot water system business in the Brisbane area. We have installed, repaired and serviced thousands of units during 21+ years of business.
Our years of experience give us a laser focus on the most common hot water system challenges in the Brisbane community. We are highly trained, reliable, professional, efficient and fast – with a 4.8-star rating from over 330 reviews on Google to prove it.
We can help you assess your needs, get a quote, and make informed decisions about servicing your hot water system. Using a reputable company like Hewitt Trade Services ensures a smooth and satisfactory experience. You can enjoy the benefits of a reliable and efficient hot water supply for years to come.
Request a quote today!
We service the following areas in Brisbane:
Hot Water Albion – Hot Water Ascot – Hot Water Aspley – Hot Water Boondall – Hot Water Bowen Hills – Hot Water Bracken Ridge – Hot Water Bridgeman Downs – Hot Water Brookside Centre – Hot Water Carseldine – Hot Water Chermside – Hot Water Clayfield – Hot Water Enoggera – Hot Water Everton Park – Hot Water Gaythorne – Hot Water Geebung – Hot Water Gordon Park – Hot Water Hamilton – Hot Water Hendra – Hot Water Kedron – Hot Water Lutwyche – Hot Water Mitchelton – Hot Water Newmarket – Hot Water Newstead – Hot Water Northgate – Hot Water Nudgee – Hot Water Nundah – Hot Water Stafford – Hot Water Stafford Heights – Hot Water Toombul – Hot Water Virginia – Hot Water Wavell Heights – Hot Water Wilston – Hot Water Windsor
