Do You Need A Plumber For Water Heater Failure?

Introduction to Water Heater Systems and Failure Modes

When your hot water heater stops working properly, it can be quite troubling not knowing whether you should call a plumber or try fixing it yourself.

This guide delineates typical issues with hot water systems and when to seek professional assistance, ensuring Kellyville residents are well-informed.

A licensed plumber can identify and service the main types of water systems found in Kellyville homes, from traditional storage tank models to modern instant or tankless systems. Storage tanks utilise heating elements or burners to heat water and maintain its temperature in an insulated reservoir. Tankless designs, which are part of the gas hot water system family, instantly supply hot water as it flows through.

Frequent water heater failures include:

• You may lack hot water due to a tripped circuit breaker, gas supply problems, a faulty heating element or thermostat, or pilot light issues.
• Leaks from components such as valves, connections, or the tank, which can disrupt your hot water supply.
• An activated relief valve typically signals that your water heater is over-pressurised.
• Sediment build-up leading to overheating.
• If your water heater supplies insufficient hot water, scale build-up or incorrect sizing may be the culprits.

I’ll discuss throughout this article when it’s advisable to utilise a professional hot water service to repair your hot water system for potentially complex repairs or safety issues, as opposed to when rudimentary troubleshooting or maintenance may get your water flow back to normal.

Understanding Key Water Heater Components

Some key components found in most water heaters that you should be aware of include:

• Drain Valves - Allow draining the tank for flushing/descaling.
• Heating Elements - Electric elements that keep the electric water heated in electric systems.
• Pilot Lights - Small flames that ignite the main burner in gas heaters.
• Relief Valves - Safety valves that open to release excess pressure.
• Thermostats - Regulate water temperature by controlling heating elements/burners.

Familiarisation with these components aids in identifying water heater defects when the cause isn’t immediately apparent:

• Pilot light issues go beyond mere inconvenience, potentially resulting in a total absence of hot water in gas heaters.
• A malfunctioning heating element can cause your water heater to stop providing hot water.
• Scale build-up around elements causes overheating/failure.
• Leaks arising from pressure-induced failures of relief or drain valves.
• Improperly adjusted thermostats may cause overheated or lukewarm water.

Issues stemming from these components may require a plumbing professional if complex, dangerous repairs are needed - like accessing electrical elements or gas components.

Common Signs of Water Heater Failure

Certain indicators may signal the need for expert intervention due to a faltering water heater:

• No hot water - If there’s no water at all, particularly no hot water coming out from your taps, this likely indicates an electrical issue like a thermostat or heating element failure in electric heaters, or a pilot light or gas valve issue in gas systems.
• Rusty water - Rusty, sediment-filled water points to corrosion and sediment build-up in the tank due to lack of maintenance.
• Insufficient hot water - When you activate the hot water tap and your unit offers some warmth but runs out briskly or isn’t working to heat sufficiently, it’s often sediment accumulation to blame.
• Leaking water - Water pooling around the tank indicates leakage and things can escalate from a faulty valve, relief valve or the tank itself. This predicament can cause an urgent safety hazard as water can lead to harm like water damage or electric shock.
• High energy bills - Unusually high energy usage, akin to issues like sediment build-up, could be a sign to consider the efficiency of solar hot water alternatives.
• Strange noises - Banging or rumbling noises can signal serious sediment accumulation or other urgent issues like gas burner malfunctions.

Technical repairs involving electrical components, gas lines, venting, leaks or total system replacements require a skilled plumber or electrician. Neglecting these issues can cause severe water damage or injury, so it’s crucial to contact us promptly at the first sign of trouble.

Assessing Issues: Professional Repair vs DIY Fixes

When facing water heater issues, it’s crucial to decide between DIY troubleshooting and seeking professional expertise.

Basic tasks like relighting a pilot light or resetting your circuit breaker may be DIY-appropriate, but always consult the manufacturer’s guide first. But complex repairs involving electrical components, gas lines, venting issues, tank leaks or replacements are situations when you need to call a plumber and should be left to our licenced professionals.

In particular, contact a plumber for:

• Gas valve/leak repairs
• Replacing heating elements
• Sediment removal/tank accessing issues
• Thermostat replacements
• Relief/drain valve repairs

Ignoring water heater problems can result in leaks, floods, electric shocks or gas risks; a professional can diagnose and mitigate these hazards. Our professionals will identify the core of the problem and conduct repairs without an exorbitant call out fee.

Verify your hot water tank’s warranty status by reaching out for coverage confirmation. Reach out now and book your appointment, as warranty assessments and repair coordination efforts could be covered.

Should you be uncertain regarding the severity of issues when your system isn’t performing correctly, do call a plumber without delay.

When to Call a Plumber for Water Heater Problems

When you need hot water and experience distressing water heater symptoms, it’s time to ring up a professional plumber:

• Gas leaks - A gas leak is extremely dangerous and could mean immediate evacuations are necessary. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, shut off the gas line to the heater if safe and evacuate your house immediately before calling the fire department and a plumber.
• Tank failure leaks - If the hot water tank system at your property is leaking from the tank itself or connected pipes/valves, shut off the water supply at the mains and call us immediately to prevent flooding damage.
• Heating element failure - Only a licenced electrician or plumber should access the interior of an electric heating unit due to electrocution risk.
• Pressure relief valve leaks - A relief valve leak, where you might see water dripping, often requires adjusting the water pressure. Attempting a DIY fix could void warranties.
• Inconsistent water temperatures - Irregular water temperatures that potentially indicate thermostat problems or sediment build-up necessitate professional inspection and maintenance.

For your safety and to maintain compliance with Sydney water regulations, our licenced plumbers have the expertise to properly inspect and repair your water heater issues.

For serious issues like leaks that can lead to water damage, contact a plumber immediately for safe and compliant repairs.

Maintaining Your Water Heater to Prevent Issues

Routine maintenance is vital for enhancing your water heater’s lifespan, efficiency, and for minimising the need for professional repair due to malfunctions.

Simple maintenance tasks you can regularly carry out include:

• Annual sediment drainage via the drain valve should be handled by a qualified plumber.
• An installed sediment filter can protect your system from excessive scale and sediment buildup.
• Regularly inspect your system’s pipes and valves for leaks and replace worn parts without delay.
• Consistently inspect valves to deter leaks or problems that may result in reduced water pressure.

Engage a licensed plumber to inspect and potentially flush your system or assess the heat pump every 3-5 years, contingent on water quality and usage.

How long a water heater endures, particularly tankless models, can differ greatly - lasting more than a mere 8 years to well beyond 20 years, all hinging on maintenance and build quality. Regular maintenance for over 10 years can enhance performance and prevent early system failure.

Don’t hesitate to call when you need help maintaining your hot water unit - preventing problems now saves headaches down the track.

Knowing When It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

When continued repairs and maintenance of an aging system become uneconomical, seeking advice on a new hot water system may be the practical choice.

Generally, storage tank water heaters have a lifespan of 8-12 years, and tankless models can last up to 20 years or more before they require replacement; nevertheless, certain signs may suggest the need for an earlier replacement.

Our expert Kellyville plumbers advise that replacement should be strongly considered when:

• Your water heater is over 10 years old and breakdowns are becoming more frequent, difficult repairs are needed, or energy bills are excessively high due to inefficiency.
• Visible substantial rusting and corrosion on the exterior of a storage tank signifies the need for attention.
• You experience very frequent loss of hot water even after troubleshooting fixes - indicating fundamental problems with heating elements or other integral components.
• A gas water heater makes abnormal sounds, emits gas/exhaust smells or shows other worrying signs that could indicate dangerous issues.
• A replacement is simply desired to upgrade to a newer, more efficient system - tankless heaters in particular can drastically reduce water heating costs.

Our licensed experts can swiftly replace or install your water heater, discussing whether it’s time to replace it, the best options for your home, costs, rebates, and provide seamless service.

For an assessment or further information on their water heater’s condition, encourage them to email [email protected] or call 1300 349 338 without hesitation. We service all areas in Kellyville and wider Sydney with certified gas electric hot water system installations.