Worried your hot water system is failing? These seven signs will help you decide whether it’s time for a repair or a replacement.
Most of us only think about hot water when it stops. The good news is that hot water systems usually give some warning before they fail completely. Spotting these signs early gives you time to plan a replacement on your terms, rather than scrambling with a cold shower and a flooded laundry.
1. Rust-coloured water
If your hot water runs brown or orange while the cold water looks normal, the inside of the tank may be corroding. Tanks have a sacrificial anode designed to protect them, and once that is used up, rust can take hold. Rusty water from the hot taps only is a strong hint that the tank is deteriorating.
2. A leaking tank
Water pooling around the base of the system is a serious sign. A leak from a fitting or pipe can often be repaired, but a leak from the tank itself usually means the tank has failed and needs replacing. Turn off the water supply to the heater and have it checked promptly.
3. The relief valve is constantly running
A small drip from the relief valve while the water is heating can be normal. A steady, ongoing flow is not. It can point to a faulty valve or a pressure problem. We cover this in more detail in our article on why a hot water relief valve leaks.
4. Lukewarm water or running out too fast
If showers are getting shorter or the water never seems to get properly hot, a heating element, thermostat or burner could be failing. In a storage tank, a build-up of sediment can also reduce how much usable hot water is available.
5. Strange noises
Banging, rumbling, popping or hissing from the tank can be caused by sediment build-up or by water trapped beneath it as it heats. Occasional ticking as the metal expands is normal, but new or louder noises are worth investigating.
6. The system is 10 years old or more
Age is not a guarantee of failure, and some systems last well beyond a decade. However, once a system passes the 10-year mark, the chance of problems rises. The type of system, your water quality and how well it has been maintained all make a difference. Check the compliance plate on the unit for its manufacture date.
7. Rising power or gas bills
If your bills creep up without a change in how much hot water you use, an ageing system may be working harder to do the same job. An element coated in scale or a tired burner can waste energy.
What to do next
- Do not ignore a leak. Switch off the water supply to the heater and, if it is electric, isolate the power at the switchboard.
- Do not attempt the repair yourself. Hot water and gas work must be done by a licensed plumber. Pressure, scalding and gas safety risks are real.
- Get it assessed. A licensed plumber can tell you whether a repair makes sense or whether replacement is the better value.
What replacement involves in Queensland
Replacing a water heater is notifiable work in Queensland. Your plumber lodges a QBCC Form 4 within 10 business days and gives you a copy. If the system is gas, a gas compliance certificate is also issued to you on completion. Tempering valves limit the hot water delivered to bathrooms to a maximum of 50°C under Australian plumbing standards, which helps prevent scalds.
If you do need a new system, we provide a fixed-price quote before any work starts. Finance may also be available through HomePro Credit, subject to approval, so see our finance page for details. If you have no hot water at all, our emergency plumbers are available 24/7.
Is your hot water system failing? Plan ahead
If your hot water system is failing, planning ahead gives you time to compare options. For example, you might switch to a more efficient heat pump. The Energy Rating website lets you compare models, and our hot water replacement team can help you choose.
Seeing one or more of these signs? Call The Plumbing Gang on 1300 671 525 or see our hot water services.