Nothing worse than discovering that your hot water system has stopped working. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know what to do, and this is where we come in.
How to troubleshoot a broken hot water system
At Enjoy Plumbing, we not only pride ourselves on doing a good and efficient job but also on ensuring that our customers are kept well informed with general tips and plumbing advice.
If you’re dealing with a broken hot water system but don’t know for certain, here are some signs that your hot water system is failing. Inconsistent temperatures, high energy bills, no hot water, strange noises or burbling coming from the pipes, leaks or discoloured or smelly water. All of these are telltale signs that your hot water system is broken. We know that these issues pop up at the worst and most inconvenient times, so it’s helpful to try out a few home fixes first, to see if you can try and get it back in working order. Before attempting to fix it, you’ll need to determine what type of hot water system you have: an electric hot water system, a gas hot water system, or a solar hot water system. Once you narrow that down, you can start troubleshooting the system.
Troubleshooting electric hot water system
The most common hot water system is the electric hot water system, as it’s standard in a lot of suburban areas. If you own an electric hot water system, here is what you can do to troubleshoot it. First, check if you haven’t lost power; in some cases, you could have a blown fuse, and this could have caused your system to shut off. Once you have tried that, search for the reset button, which can sometimes be located on newer systems. Once located, press to reboot the system and wait at least 1-3 hours, as the system will need time to re-heat.
Troubleshooting gas hot water system
If you have a gas heater, try resetting the system and checking the power. After this, check if the valves are open and if there are any leaks. You will know if there are any leaks, as there will be an unpleasant smell lingering. If you run into a gas leak, it is imperative that you contact a licensed plumber as soon as possible; it is not an issue that can be fixed yourself and can be extremely dangerous.
Troubleshooting solar hot water system
For households that have a solar hot water system, start by checking your solar panels. Make sure that they’re clean and free from debris such as dirt, leaves or sticks. Also check for any signs of damage, such as cracks or loose panels and electrics. If everything looks okay, begin troubleshooting by locating the reset button on the system and pressing it to reboot the system. Next, inspect the thermostat and ensure it’s still working and that it is set to the appropriate temperature. If the panels are clean and the settings are correct, and you still don’t have hot water, the problem could be the electrical components or the overall system.
Contact a licensed hot water plumber
If you’ve worked through all the troubleshooting steps, checking power, resetting the systems, checking valves and solar panels and ensuring the thermostat is working, and your hot water system is still not working, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to get in touch with our hot water plumbers at Enjoy Plumbing. Home fixes and repairs are a great first step, especially when you’re in a time crunch and desperate for a hot shower, but sometimes it’s better and safer to let the professionals come in and handle it. Getting help from professionals for issues such as these can make the situations far less stressful.
At Enjoy Plumbing, our team of qualified plumbers is well-equipped and knowledgeable on how to deal with broken or damaged hot water systems. We work to restore your hot water efficiently while also helping you understand what went wrong and provide you with advice on how to prevent the issue from happening in the future. We provide hot water repair, installation and replacement services in Newcastle, Maitland, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Mid North Coast region. When you choose to work with us at Enjoy Plumbing, you can be assured that your system will be repaired efficiently and at a cost-effective price.
