Hot Water Inner West

If your energy bill comes through and it’s a lot higher than you were expecting, it’s possible your hot water system is in need of repair.

Storage tank solutions, for example, rely on cylinders retaining heat once water has been heated up. If there is a thermal leak or if the coil within the system is unable to get water up to temperature, this may result in your household using a lot more energy than it would otherwise.

A yellow pilot light in your hot water unit indicates there is an issue with the flow of gas. Your unit’s pilot light should burn blue with a yellow or orange flame indicating that the gas-to-air ratio is out of balance, requiring immediate attention.

Not only does this mean gas is being wasted but poses a significant risk to occupants. Unburnt gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning with potentially lethal consequences.

If you have a yellow or orange pilot light, turn off your gas supply and call Plumbwell Plumbing immediately.

Mineral deposits and sediment buildup can cause your hot water to be discoloured too

Over time, mineral sediment that naturally occurs in water will accumulate on the bottom of storage tanks, eventually causing water to appear as a different colour.

While storage tanks, continuous flow units, and instant systems all feature material treatments to prevent corrosion, over time these deposits may need flushing out. As well as discolouration, these sediments can reduce the capacity and thermal efficiency of your storage tank too.

If your hot water smells like rotten eggs it’s because of a gas called hydrogen sulphide. This potentially hazardous gas can make using hot water unpleasant, especially when showering or cooking.

The most common cause of smelly water is a bad anode rod within your system. This draws minerals towards it and prevents the rest of the system from corroding. If this goes bad then sulphates react with the metal in your system, creating hydrogen sulphide.

You may also have a water supply with a high count of sulphur-reducing bacteria (SRB). This type of bacteria consumes sulphate and converts it into hydrogen sulphide.

In both cases a flush and disinfection are necessary, as well as any parts replaced. Contact Plumbwell Plumbing now if you’re experiencing smelly hot water.

Water leaks are one of the most common hot water problems Plumbwell Plumbing encounters. Even serviced and maintained systems can develop a leak over time, with materials expanding and contracting due to heat and moving components.

Fixing a small leak now can save you a lot of time, money, and stress in the future. Leaks don’t tend to go away and typically get worse over time. Rather than waking up to a pool of water, get your leak fixed now with Plumbwell Plumbing.

If you jump in the shower only to find the water temperature fluctuates between cold and hot, your hot water system is likely in need of repair.

In the case of storage tank systems, your cylinder may now be an inadequate size. In the case of growing families, for example, smaller tanks often fail to meet household demand. With continuous flow units too, competing appliances can mean your existing solution is no longer adequate.

Other problems include components such as temperature regulation valves becoming faulty.

Whether you need to upgrade your existing system or a repair is necessary, Plumbwell Plumbing can help.

A noisy hot water tank can be an indication of several problems. 

Banging noises are typically caused by sediment buildup reacting violently with the heating element within your tank. Fixing this requires a flush and disinfection by a professional plumber.

Other sounds such as hissing, screeching, and popping can also be signs of excess sediment in your system, but can also mean more significant problems. Loose valves or failing release systems can cause irregular pressure in your hot water system, causing it to make unfamiliar sounds.

As these problems involve both gas and electricity, DIY fixes are not recommended.