Hot water problems are the worst nightmare when you are in a desperate need of a shower. Just imagine coming back home after an exhausting day only to find a cold shower… But there are better things to do than start panicking. We give you five pro tips that will help you troubleshoot and fix the most common problems with hot water units.
Problems With Water Temperature
You turned on the shower and discovered that the water is too hot or too cold? The first thing to do is to check the thermostat. In most cases, you’ll just need to adjust it and change the temperature. If this doesn’t help, then the root of the problem could be a leak in the tank, damaged gas control or burner assembly, sediment in the tank or an issue with the temperature-pressure relief valve. What to do? Call a professional in hot water system servicing to fix this problem for you.
Blockages
Some of the most common problems with hot water system Perth residents experience is discolouration of water caused by lime, rust or sediment. WA water has high levels of mineral content which can cause calcium to block the valves and prevent thermostats from detecting the water temperature. This is potentially dangerous because your hot water unit can continue to heat the water without the temperature safety controls. After incidents occurred in Perth a few years back, the WA Government has issued a reminder to property owners encouraging them to perform regular checks. To prevent any mishaps, make sure to call a plumbing service to do an inspection every six months.
Noisy Heaters
Is your hot water unit making strange noises? The reason for this is often the same one that’s causing discolouration – minerals and sediment are blocking the valves and causing the water pressure to build up. You might need to clean the tank or change the heating element if it burns out. If you hear a boiling sound, it means that the system is overheating, and you need to turn it off immediately before calling a plumber to fix the issue.
Leaking Heaters
A sudden drop in the water temperature is often linked to a leak in your hot water system. The first thing you need to do is to determine the cause of the leak. The most common causes include:
- Loose valves
- Poor plumbing installation
- Lack of maintenance
- Old water tank
- High water pressure
The cause determines your approach to fixing the problem. One of the first things you need to check is the valves. If they are loose, you can quickly tighten or replace them. If your water tank is too old and corroded, you need to replace it with a new one. In both cases, it is safer to call a profession hot water system installation & repair service technician.
Damaged Thermocouple
A damaged thermocouple is a common problem with gas hot water units. This sensor for measuring temperature can cause the system to stop producing hot water because it can’t function properly if the thermocouple is damaged. First, try relighting the pilot light, and if that doesn’t fix the issue, you need to replace the thermocouple. If you want to do this yourself, make sure to turn of water and gas beforehand. Alternatively, find a professional who can do this for you.
