No Hot Water At Home? Get It Fixed Fast

Introduction – What to do if there’s no hot water

No hot water can significantly disrupt daily routines such as dishwashing, laundry, and personal hygiene.

This article provides homeowners with a step-by-step guide for troubleshooting common issues that can cause hot water loss in the home.

We’ll outline self-service inspections, identify common causes, provide maintenance advice, and indicate when it’s critical to contact a professional plumber for emergency repairs.

This guide aims to help you swiftly resolve hot water issues. If the problem persists, know that the friendly team at Marrickville Plumbing are always on hand to help.

Understanding Common Causes of Hot Water Loss

There are several key reasons why your home may lose access to hot water. Identifying the root cause is crucial before you start any repairs.

Gas Water Heater Issues

Gas heaters rely on a pilot light; make sure it’s lit, as its absence will stop the hot water supply.

• Faulty thermocouple – This safety device shuts off gas if the pilot light goes out. If faulty, it may cause the pilot light to go out unexpectedly.
• Insufficient gas flow – Whether from an empty LPG tank or issues with gas mains supply.
• Drafting – External ventilation issues sucking away the pilot flame.
• Thermostat problems – The control unit may not be calling for heat.
• Leaking valves – Reduced water pressure stops hot water from reaching taps.

Electric Hot Water System Problems

With electric units, lack of hot water is typically caused by:

• Power supply issues – Whether local outages, tripped circuit breakers or faults with cables or fuses.
• Failed heating elements – Coils that heat the water burning out or becoming clogged with sediment.
• Thermostat failure – The control unit isn’t switching on heating.
• Timer problems – An internal timer isn’t activating the heating elements.
• Insufficient water flow – Clogged hot water lines preventing circulation.

Loss of hot water qualifies as an emergency repair for all water system types under Residential Tenancies regulations. So if you rent, notify your landlord promptly about the issue and request it be immediately fixed by a licenced professional.

Checking Your Water Heater

Begin any repairs with a visual inspection of your hot water heater for initial diagnostic clues.

Safety First

Always prioritize safety when inspecting your water heater. Ensure the power and gas supplies are turned off before inspection.

Visible Signs to Look For

Inspect your hot water system for:

• Any water leak indications or pooling water underneath
• Unusual noises like bubbling or hissing
• Damage to lines, pipes, the inlet valve or other components
• Rust accumulation or signs of corrosion
• Sediment buildup in electric heating tank elements
• Soot residue around gas water heater exhausts

Note any issues found to assist with diagnosis. The next sections offer more detailed troubleshooting steps tailored to your gas or electric hot water system.

Gas Water Heaters

Checking Your Gas Water Heater

For gas heaters, locate the pilot light assembly first. Ensure the pilot light is lit; its absence suggests it has gone out.

If the pilot light is out, set the gas control to ‘pilot’ and press the ignition to re-light it. Failure to re-light the pilot light points to potential problems with the gas supply or thermocouple.

Inspecting Gas Lines

Carefully examine the external gas line and fittings leading into the water heater for any signs of damage or leaks. Use a soap and water solution to check for smaller leaks causing bubbles.

Also check if there’s a strong gas or sulphur smell around the unit, which indicates a dangerous gas leak. In case of a gas smell, shut off the gas and water, evacuate, and call emergency services or Marrickville Plumbing.

When to Call a Professional

If the pilot light continues to go out after several attempts at relighting it, this indicates an underlying fault. Turn off the unit and call a licenced Marrickville gas fitter for emergency repairs.

If you detect a gas smell, observe leaks, or can’t relight the pilot light, it’s time to call our professional team. DIY gas repairs could cause leaks, explosions, and invalidate your home insurance.

Electric Water Heaters

Checking Your Electric Water Heater

Start troubleshooting an electric hot water system by locating your circuit breaker connected to the unit. Check for a tripped breaker and reset it. If it immediately trips again, there may be an electrical fault with the system.

Thermostat Testing

Electric water heaters have an external thermostat that controls the temperature. Try adjusting this thermostat to its highest setting. If you don’t hear any internal relays click on after 5 minutes, the thermostat likely needs replacing.

Assessing the High-Limit Switch

There will also be a high-temperature cutoff switch. Press the reset button on this switch and see if you hear the internal coils begin to heat up with an electrical hum. A silent response may indicate a failed limit switch.

When Professional Help is Needed

If your system remains inactive after inspecting fuses, the thermostat, and the high limit control, it’s probable the heating element requires replacement by a qualified electrician. Likewise if you smell burning from the unit, hear unusual noises or see leaks.

Performing Basic Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Performing Routine Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for preventing issues in any hot water system, whether gas or electric.

Right-sizing Your Water Heater

Ensure your hot water system’s capacity is sufficient for your household. As families expand or requirements change, upgrading to a larger storage capacity tank may be worthwhile to ensure enough hot water.

Annual Flushes and Drains

Annually drain and flush tank sediment and connected pipes to upkeep your hot water heater. Refer to manufacturer guidance for proper procedures.

Adjusting Thermostat Settings

Adjust the thermostat on your hot water system for optimal temperature settings. Ensuring your household has sufficient hot water supply while avoiding excess energy usage. Hot water heating accounts for 25% of Australian home energy bills.

Considerations for System Upgrades

If your existing system regularly has issues or is coming to the end of its working life, Consider installing a new hot water system when necessary. Modern water heaters offer increased efficiency and extended warranties. Consult our team at Marrickville Plumbing if you have any queries.

Knowing When to Call a Professional Plumber

While some troubleshooting may fix your hot water issues, other scenarios necessitate contacting our licenced Marrickville Plumbing professionals:

• You smell gas or detect leaks from your hot water system
• The pilot light repeatedly goes out after attempts to relight it
• Electrical faults trip the circuit breaker when switched on
• There are strange noises, leaks or visible damage to the system
• There is a complete lack of hot water throughout your home
• Problems persist despite troubleshooting efforts

Our fully certified Marrickville plumbers can also remedy the problem, possessing the expertise to efficiently diagnose issues and get your hot water flowing again promptly. Our services encompass repairs, maintenance, and installation for all system makes and models.

Trust your local capable team to address hot water problems day or night, and give us call whenever you need assistance. Simply call 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] to book an appointment that works for you.

Dealing with No Hot Water Emergencies

Under NSW tenancy laws, losing all hot water supply is deemed a critical emergency, compelling you to seek plumber services. Landlords are obligated to arrange qualified repairs within 24 hours.

As no hot water your is essential for sanitation and daily life, complete loss often requires urgent attention. If you lack hot water entirely, contact Marrickville Plumbing immediately.

With two decades of experience in Sydney, we’re well-acquainted with the urgency of resolving 'no hot water’ issues. We always have an experienced, licenced plumber ready to give us the opportunity to solve your emergency call outs 24/7.

Call us on 1300 349 338 anytime if facing a complete hot water failure. Our average response time is under an hour to get your hot water flowing again promptly.

Preventing Hot Water System Issues

The best way to avoid losing hot water in your home is to have regular maintenance and inspections performed on your hot water system.

Annual Servicing

We recommend arranging all needful professional servicing of your hot water unit at least once yearly. The expert Marrickville plumbers at our company can:

• Fully inspect your system to check for leaks, damage, corrosion, sediment buildup and other issues
• Clean and flush out your hot water tank to improve performance and longevity
• Ensure safety devices are functioning properly
• Adjust thermostat settings and water pressure as required
• Grease taps and valves to prevent dripping
• Verify adequate insulation around pipes

Annual servicing helps minimise problems through preventative maintenance. We offer affordable yearly hot water inspection packages to Marrickville homeowners looking to avoid unexpected issues in the future.

Upgrades for Reliability

If your existing system is more than 8-10 years old, an upgrade installation with one of the new energy efficient models may be worthwhile to improve hot water supply reliability.

The latest hot water units from reputable brands come with longer warranties plus technology features that prevent sediment buildup. Speak to our team about replacement options best suited for your home.

Act before you’re faced with a hot water outage. Be proactive by partnering with Marrickville’s trusted local plumbing professionals to maintain your hot water system.

Contact us on 1300 349 338 or [email protected] to establish an annual maintenance routine that works for your household.