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Is Having No Hot Water Considered an Emergency?

Lack of hot water is an emergency under the Residential Tenancies Act and requires prompt resolution by landlords.

The Residential Tenancies Authority explicitly categorises no hot water as an emergency repair. Hot water is crucial for daily living and its absence can seriously disrupt home life.

Understanding Your Hot Water System

Cronulla homes mainly use electric and gas hot water systems. Electric water heaters utilize electrically-powered heating elements to maintain hot water in insulated tanks.

Gas systems use burners to heat the water tank, offering a reliable supply of hot water.

Hot water is essential for your daily activities like showering, washing dishes, laundry and more. Good maintenance is key since hot water heating accounts for a significant 21% of household energy use in Australia.

Key components of electric systems include the metal tank, insulation, heating elements, thermostats and protective switches. Gas hot systems feature a burner, pilot light, gas valve, flue and again, an insulated storage tank. Both systems function by circulating cold water in, heating it to the desired temperature, and supplying it to home outlets.

Understanding the basics of your hot water heater can help diagnose issues if your hot water stops working. We recommend preventative measures such as tank flushing and replacing outdated units to enhance efficiency and longevity.

Checking Initial Issues With Your Electric or Gas Water Heater

If you have an electric hot water system, first check your circuit breaker or fuse box for any tripped switches or blown fuses. Reset breakers and replace any blown fuses. If hot water is still lacking, check that the thermostat is set correctly, between 50 and 60°C.

Inspect your pilot light through the viewing window on many gas heaters, and check gas lines and fittings for leaks with leak detector spray.

Make sure to open all manual gas valves fully and confirm that the pilot light is ignited.

Should your decade-old water heater fail to heat after inspecting fuses, thermostats, pilot lights, and gas lines, professional servicing is likely required. Contact a licenced plumber who can fix issues like heating element failure, thermocouple problems, hidden gas leaks, or sediment build-up.

Inspecting for Leaks, Water Pressure Problems and Sediment Buildup

It’s critical to periodically inspect your hot water system and related plumbing for any leaks, water pressure issues, or sediment buildup. Failing to address these problems can severely impact functionality.

Examine the inlet valve and connected pipes near the heater for rust stains or drips indicating leaks. Unchecked leaks can lead to significant water loss and property damage. Closely examine the inlet and outlet valves, pressure relief valve, and pipe joints for issues.

Home water pressure problems can reduce flow to your taps and showers. If pressure seems lower than normal, inspect supply lines and valves for blockages from sediment or limescale. Partially closed valves or sections of narrower piping can also lower pressure.

Draining a cup of water from the water tank bottom can assess sediment levels. If water coming from the tap appears discoloured or contains particles, a flush out is needed.

Detecting leaks early, resolving improper pressure and cleaning sediment regularly maximises hot water system health and performance. Don’t hesitate to call a licenced plumber if you discover issues requiring urgent attention or complex repairs.

When Should I Call a Professional Plumber?

It’s advisable to contact a professional plumber from Cronulla Plumbing in several key scenarios when facing hot water issues:

- - If basic troubleshooting at home, including checking fuses, circuit breakers, gas valves, and pilot lights, does not resolve the lack of hot water

- - If your water heater is over a decade old, given that older systems are prone to scale accumulation, leaks, and heating element malfunctions necessitating professional maintenance

- If you discover water leaks, pressure problems or heavy sediment accumulation during inspection that require flush outs or draining/refilling the tank

- For ongoing problems with error codes, rust-coloured or odorous water indicating the need for descaling and sterilisation

- If there are signs of flood damage around your hot water system from leaks

- For strange noises, foul smells or temperature irregularities indicating potential gas leaks or burner issues

- If you lack the time or physical capability to safely perform basic troubleshooting steps

- To install new hot water systems or environmentally-friendly solar models

Our experience, advanced commercial-grade equipment, and comprehensive expertise underscore the importance of professional assistance for numerous households. We focus on water heater repairs, like fixing hidden leaks, replacing damaged components, eliminating sediment or servicing ignition controls.

Hot Water Safety Tips

When troubleshooting hot water issues, safety should be your top priority. Also exercise caution near gas lines and the burner/pilot assembly.

Refer to your owner’s manual for guidance on safely interacting with your system. Take care when working around electrical components like heating elements or circuit boards.

If you smell even a faint natural gas scent, immediately turn off the gas supply and evacuate the area until the leak is repaired. Never ignore the smell of mercaptan as it’s a warning sign of a dangerous gas leak in your hot water system.

Don’t attempt complex repairs like replacing valves, heating elements or pipe sections yourself unless its time to give us call for a professional.

When performing basic troubleshooting, exercise judgement on when to stop. If you’ve checked fuses, valves and switches thoroughly with no results, it’s time call for assistance. Continuing with DIY repairs under uncertainty could lead to electrical shocks, burns, or uncontrolled gas leaks; at this juncture, it is wise to engage a professional.

We advocate ongoing hot water safety through professional maintenance. Annual inspections ensure your system operates reliably for years while identifying gradual wear-and-tear. Investing in upgrades like low-pressure cut-off valves also prevents problematic leaks.

Utilise our complimentary water heater safety checklist to enhance the safety measures for your system at home. But when in doubt, Cronulla’s licenced technicians have the expertise to address hot water problems promptly and safely.

Contact Cronulla Plumbing for Reliable Service

At Cronulla Plumbing, we understand the disruption and hassle caused when your hot water system fails. With over 15 years of service in Cronulla and the surrounding areas, we possess the expertise to resolve your hot water emergencies.

Our team of licenced plumbers provide prompt, reliable service 24/7 to get the hot water restored in your homes quickly. Our capabilities extend to troubleshooting and repairing a variety of issues for gas, electric, or solar hot water systems, including leaks, pilot light malfunctions, and electrical issues.

We offer:

  • No hot water troubleshooting and repairs
  • Same day hot water system installation
  • Gas fitting services
  • Burst pipe repairs
  • Clearing blocked drains
  • Leaking tap and pipe fixes
  • General maintenance to maximise efficiency

For superior workmanship and guaranteed results, contact Cronulla Plumbing today on 1300 349 338 or email jobs@cronullaplumbingservice.com.au. Get your hot water flowing again and peace of mind that your system is in professional hands.

News & Information

Hot Water Home? ’
No Hot Water At Home? Here’s What To Do

If you have no hot water, first check if the pilot light on your hot water system has gone out. Also inspect for any gas leaks or see if the gas supply has been switched off. If none of those are the issue, contact a licensed plumber to help get your hot water system working again.

Safely Dispose Gas Appliances
Safely Dispose of Old Gas Appliances

If you have old gas appliances you need to dispose of, it’s important to do so properly and safely. You can take non-working appliances to your local waste facility. For working appliances, consider donating them. Our experts at Cronulla Plumbing can also help you safely remove old gas appliances.

Pipe Patching Pipe Relining: Key Differences
Pipe Patching vs Pipe Relining: Key Differences

Pipe patching and pipe relining are two methods of repairing damaged pipes without full replacement. Patching involves placing a patch over a small damaged area of pipe, while relining coats the inside of the full pipe length with a protective lining. Relining is more effective for extensive pipe damage.

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