Will your hot water system make it through the winter?

With the cooler months rolling in, knowing whether your hot water system is going to survive winter is of paramount importance. Due to recent extreme weather in Brisbane, there could be some hidden damage to your system with the potential to cause unnecessary and inconvenient problems in the future. 

Signs something is wrong with your hot water system

It can be difficult to tell when your hot water system is damaged and there are often no signs before disaster strikes. However, there are some clear indicators something is wrong:

• Water is not heating up
• Water is getting too hot
• Running low on hot water too quickly
• The pressure is too low
• The hot water system is leaking
• Inconsistent fluctuations in the temperature
• Hot water has a weird smell
• Hot water is a strange colour
• The hot water system is making a rumbling noise
• Unexpectedly high energy bills

Suspect something is wrong? Contact professional Brisbane plumbers today.

Common causes of system failure

There are a few reasons why hot water systems break down or fail. The most common ones are a build-up of sediment, age, or malfunctions with the pilot light. They can also be affected by weather events like cyclones or storms – electrical brownouts or surges and water inundation being the top culprits in extreme weather events. 

The lifespan of a system will vary depending on the type, with electric hot water systems lasting 10-15 years, gas water heaters lasting 8-12 years, and solar heating systems lasting 10-20 years. It is always best to hire a professional to inspect and resolve any potential problems or damages.

These issues can affect all brands and types of hot water systems, including:

• Instant hot water
• Solar hot water
• Heat pump hot water
• Continuous flow hot water 
• Circulated hot water
• Hot water pumps
• Single sink hot water
• Gas storage hot water
• Hot water boosters
• Tempered hot water
• Electric instant hot water
• Commercial hot water

Pre-winter hot water unit servicing

Brisbane plumbers are not only equipped to diagnose and fix the issues, but they also supply temporary hot water, and will do regular servicing of your hot water systems to ensure you have access to hot water all winter long. Checking now to make sure your system is up to date and working as it should will save you from a plumbing emergency in the middle of the Brisbane winter. Get in touch with Brisbane plumbers today so that you are properly prepared.