Who Should You Call If Your Hot Water System Isn’t Working?

For hot water repair or replacement, contact the experts at Hogan Hot Water

Finding that your hot water system is not working can be annoying when you are all set for a relaxing hot shower. But, if it’s the first time it happened to you, don’t panic. There are several things that you can try before you go on to call a plumber. But wait, should you call an electrician instead? Don’t worry – Hogan Hot Water have BOTH plumbers and electricians on our staff so if you can’t solve it yourself just make one call and we’ll sort it out for you.

What should you do before you call a hot water professional?

Perform some checks

Sometimes, hot water systems stop working all of a sudden and there can be a number of different reasons for this. You can perform these simple checks, to see if you can fix it easily, before calling a professional.

First, check if your circuit breaker has tripped. If it has, turn it back on and wait if it remains on. If your hot water system stopped working because of a tripped circuit breaker, it should run again as long as your circuit breaker stays on.

If there seems to be no problem with your circuit breaker, then check the relief valve of your hot water system. You will see a little lever that tests the system at the top of the relief valve. Lift that lever carefully to see if water flows through the overflow pipe.

So, what if you have tried the two steps above and neither worked? What then should you do?

Should you call a plumber?

You may automatically think you need to call a plumber because you are dealing with water. However, before you decide to call one, consider or ask these things first.

• Do you see leaking water?
• Is the water that comes out of the tap less than the usual?
• Is there no water coming out of the tap?
• Is the bottom of your hot water tank rusty?

If you see any of these, you should call Hogan Hot Water. They can help you repair your hot water system. Just remember that if you see water where there shouldn’t be, you most likely need the help of a plumber and electrician because water and electricity do not mix.

When should you call an electrician?

Electrical problems can be a little bit more challenging to work out. If you think that an electrical component has caused your hot water system to stop working, then you should probably have Hogan Hot Water have a look at it. However, there are certain things that you can try out if you want to make sure that you need to make a call:

• If your circuit breaker has tripped, you can turn it back on. If it trips again, then it is an electrical problem.
• You can check if a fuse has blown.
• See if you can’t get hot water. Lukewarm water can indicate that there is something wrong with the thermostat.

What checks will the professionals perform?

Aside from the points listed above, an electrician or a plumber (Hogan Hot Water are both conveniently) will check the following to determine why your hot water system isn’t working.

Water tank

A plumber will check if there is water in the tank. If there’s none, chances are it is leaking. The plumber will check to see if the connections between the tank and the valves and pipes are secure.

Gas leaks

A natural gas leak coming from your hot water system is dangerous. If you suspect a gas leak, you need to call Hogan Hot Water immediately. They will be able to send a technician who will check for gas leaking whilst repairing your hot water system.

Hot water system malfunction

If you have an electric water heater and it suddenly stops working, a Hogan Hot Water technician will look into your circuit breaker first. A breaker that keeps on tripping is not a good sign. Your Hogan electrician will be able to determine what’s causing this and will talk to you about the kind of repair or replacement that they need to perform.

Gas valve

If you have a gas water heater, you should consider calling an expert. Hogan Hot Water specialise in all types of hot water systems, including storage gas water heaters and continuous flow gas hot water systems. They will inspect your heater to find out what has caused the malfunction. The gas valve is a good place to start, followed by the pilot light.

Water heater thermostat

According to the Australian Government’s ‘Your Home sustainability guide’, your hot water system at home should be set to a certain temperature. For example, if you have a storage hot water system, it should be set between 60 – 70 degrees Celsius. However, water at this temperature can burn the skin in just seconds, so a tempering valve is installed to deliver hot water at a safe temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.

A continuous flow system should be set to 50 degrees Celsius. This temperature is enough to stop the growth of Legionella and other waterborne bacteria without scalding you. A qualified Hogan Technician will be able to detect any faulty thermostat and replace it if it is busted.

Tank size

A Hogan Hot Water expert can determine if the size of your hot water tank is sufficient for the entire household. Remember that a growing family has a higher demand for hot water. If you feel that you need to upgrade, talk to them about energy-efficient options.

Call the hot water experts at Hogan Hot Water

Whether you need somebody to repair your hot water system or are looking for a suitable replacement, you can count on Hogan Hot Water & Air Conditioning – we have been in the business for more than 20 years. Our repeat customers throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Gosford, Maitland, Central Coast and Hunter Valley call us whenever they need help with their hot water system. We are familiar with all major brands. Give us a call on 0488029618 for a free quote or email your enquiries to enquiries@hoganhotwaterandair.com.au.