A good hot shower can be just the thing we need at the end of a long day, or to snap ourselves out of the morning chill before starting our day. We walk into our bathrooms, get the water flowing, and wait for the warmth. And wait. And we keep waiting until we finally realise that our water heater isn’t working. Somehow they never break at a convenient time! So it’s important to know that we have access to professional plumbers who can provide emergency repairs round the clock.
The various types of hot water units available come with some problems which are common to all, but each unit has its unique issues. Regardless of the type we have in our own homes, all units may have problems with either a fuel supply or plumbing.
With no fuel, there’s no heat
Depending on the type of system the home has, the fuel supply is what heats the water. This can be electricity, gas, or solar energy. Over time some of the components which transport the fuel source can break down, meaning the water cannot be heated at all. Solar panels may become less effective, electrical cabling can fray, and gas lines can leak.
These last two issues have the potential to cause serious harm to residents. Storage hot water units have thermostats which maintain the water in the tank at a constant temperature. If this component fails, the unit will have no idea what the actual temperature is or how to regulate it. Similarly, the fuse that powers the unit may fail and prevent it from working at all.
Keeping the water flowing
On top of a fuel supply, the other common component each hot water unit has is its integration into a home’s plumbing. Irrespective of the type of water heater, all of them will take water from the mains into their heating unit. From here the heated water is distributed around the home to our taps and bathroom fixtures. Here is where it gets a little trickier, as the main concern is a leak in the hot water plumbing. This has the effect of either not sending water to the heater, if the leak is before the unit, or causing the hot water system to be continuously heating if the leak is after it.
Not normally noticeable at first, a leak can worsen over time and has the potential to not only lead to cold showers but can also cause significant damage to the home.
What can be done when the system fails?
Unfortunately, there is often no warning as to when a hot water system will fail. A heating element or fuse can fail due to a number of reasons, such as an electrical surge. Occasionally, the issue can be as simple as resetting a breaker or relighting a pilot light. For anything more serious than this, it’s time to call the professionals.
Major plumbing and electrical work can only be completed by expertly trained and licensed technicians. Not only will they rectify any major faults, such as repairing a leaking gas line, they will also help to identify any other issues your system may experience.
The question then is, what happens when the water system fails in the early hours of the morning? Thankfully, many plumbers will offer an “around the clock” emergency hot water repair service. The technicians will be able to provide a temporary fix to get your water heater up and running again, keeping it flowing through your home while you source a replacement unit.
If you are on Sydney’s Northern Beaches or North Shore and you’ve found yourself with an unwanted cold shower, we invite you to give the friendly team at JEDI Plumbing a call on 0411 774 381. We are available night or day, Monday through Sunday. Our 24-hour hot water system repair service will get the heat back on, and advise you on what to do next.