One of those things in the home that is taken for granted until it doesn't work, and that is a reliable hot water system. From taking a hot shower in the morning to washing dishes or doing laundry, having hot water in the home ensures that things run smoothly. If you notice that things aren't going well, you could face water damage, costly repairs, even a breakdown, as well as expensive energy bills. In this guide, we'll cover the most frequent indications your water heater is in need of attention, the reasons for them, and when it's time to call one of the hot water plumbers in Geelong for a quote.

Early detection is critical

All hot water systems end up wearing out over time. Elements like heating elements, thermostats, pressure relief valves and storage tanks are subjected to everyday usage, temperature changes and mineral accumulation. It is beneficial to deal with issues in the early stages.

Prevents Expensive Repairs

The majority of hot water system troubles start out as small issues. Initially, a broken valve, a damaged heating element, or sediment buildup in the tank might not appear to be a major problem. But if not taken care of, these problems add to the strain on the system and can cause greater damage.

For instance, sediment accumulation increases the energy consumption of the system for heating water. With the passage of time, this additional work can prove to be a shortened heating element life or even harm the storage tank. A routine repair could be much cheaper than replacing an entire system if there is a major breakdown.

Water Damage Protection: Keeps water out of your home.

Water leaks do not typically self-repair. Even a slow trickle can cause serious issues if left uncontrolled. Any water that drips around the hot water system can cause damage to flooring, walls, cabinetry and nearby electrical items. The dampness also can cause mold to grow, which can impact indoor air quality and create costly restoration efforts.

Inspecting your system regularly and responding to leaks quickly helps minimize these risks.

Improves Energy Efficiency

If the water heating system is not efficient, it consumes more energy to heat the same quantity of water. Instead as the temperatures rise, the energy use increases and the heating times extend in due course, as the internal components wear or sediment builds up.

This is typically seen as slowly rising power or gas costs with no increase in the home's consumption. On time services will bring efficiency back, and help lower operating costs and performance issues.

Avoids system overload by extending its lifespan.

A hot water system's life is greatly increased by regular maintenance, like most household appliances. Annual inspections, flushing of built-up sediment and replacing of worn parts before they fail all help to increase reliability.

Often, preventative maintenance can provide several years of reliable service before replacement, rather than replacement at an early stage.

Your hot water is suddenly gone.

The best indicator of a problem is when there's no hot water.

It might appear that the whole system has broken down, however, there could be a number of different causes.

Common causes include:

•            Faulty heating elements

•            Gas supply interruptions

•            Pilot light failure

•            Electrical circuit problems

•            Malfunctioning thermostats

•            Internal component failure

A burning out heating element or a faulty thermostat will usually cause a loss of hot water in the electric systems. If the pilot light dies or the gas burner malfunctions in a gas-powered unit, they will no longer be able to generate hot water.

Stop and think before you draw your own conclusions; determine if the problem is with all hot water fixtures in the house. When no hot water is coming from any fixtures, it is advisable to have an expert diagnose the system.

Self-repair jobs on gas appliances or electrical parts may be hazardous. Licensed plumbers are equipped with the tools that can help you find out the cause of the water leak and fix it without risking the safety of your home.

You can't keep hot water hot for very long.

Maybe your shower gets hot, but then turns lukewarm, or your family is suddenly using all of their hot water before you get to the end of the month.

Usually means that the system is not performing as well as previously.

Possible causes include:

•                    Damaged thermostat

•                    Worn heating element

•                    Reduced tank capacity due to sediment build-up.

•                    Ageing storage tank

•                    Increased household demand

Mineral deposits are a natural occurrence on storage water heaters. These deposits remain at the bottom of the tank and decreases the quantity of hot water available. This then means that the water is reheated more often and there is less water available at a consistent temperature.

Even if you are not using more hot water because you've expanded or renovated, you could be running out of hot water, too.

An experienced plumber will be able to decide if it is more cost-effective in the long run to replace the unit with a larger or efficient one, or to repair and/or service the unit that needs it.

The sound of strange noises is coming from the tank.

Hot water systems should run fairly silently. Some clicking noises may occur when the unit is operating as intended, but loud or unusual noises should be addressed.

You may hear:

•            Rumbling

•            Popping

•            Banging

•            Cracking

•            Hissing

Usually, these sounds occur due to sediment hardening up in the storage tank. Water under these mineral deposits is heated and steam bubbles are trapped before breaking free creating popping or rumbling sounds.

If these sounds are ignored, sediments can keep piling up and decreasing efficiency, and putting more stress on the tank.

Other causes may be:

•            Excessive water pressure

•            Loose internal fittings

•            Expanding metal components

•            Valve problems

This is a good way to keep sediment from becoming a problem, returning quieter operation and better efficiency.

Hot Water Pressure Has Decreased.

If the hot water pressure decreases, it may be a sign of a problem with the plumbing or hot water system.

If the cold-water pressure is fine and the hot water is weak, then the issue is most likely related to the hot water system and not the water supply.

Common causes include:

•            Sediment build-up inside the storage tank

•            Corroded pipework

•            Blocked valves

•            Collapsed or damaged tunnels and channels

•            Ageing plumbing components

Many old hot water systems can develop a problem where the mineral deposits build up in the pipes, which in turn causes a reduction in the internal diameter of the pipe and limit the flow of water, especially in the Geelong and surrounding areas. This not only reduces water pressure, but also imposes extra strain on the water system as well.

Your energy bills continue to rise.

A higher energy bill doesn't necessarily equal higher usage of the home. Sometimes, they're an indication that your hot water system is working much harder than it should.

Some problems can cause loss of efficiency, such as:

•                    Sediment accumulation

•                    Ageing heating elements

•                    Faulty thermostats

•                    Loss due to old storage tank.

•                    Poor insulation

As efficiency decreases, the system will use more electricity or gas to heat the same amount of hot water.

If your utility costs have been steadily increasing and you haven't changed any lifestyle habits, it may be time to get a professional checkup on your hot water heater. In many instances, regular servicing can help to restore efficiency and lower costs of operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

•                    What are the signs that I should replace my hot water heater?

If your system is over 10-15 years old, is leaking frequently, produces rusty water and/or requires frequent repairs, it is often cost-effective to replace the system over time.

•                    Why does my hot water heater drain so fast?

This can be caused by sediment accumulation, a broken heating element, thermostat problems or a hot water system that no longer serves your family's need.

•                    Is a hot water system that has a leak able problem able to be fixed?

This is dependent on where the leak is coming from. Rather it is often possible to repair valves, fittings and pipe connections, and leaking storage tanks are frequently replaced.

•                    How does my hot water system sound?

Sediment buildup in the storage tank can cause the tank to pop or rumble. The problem usually can be solved with professional flushing.

•                    How often must a hot water system be serviced?

Most manufacturers suggest a professional service every year or so to ensure efficiency, reliability and safety.

Conclusion

You don't always wake up to discover that your hot water system has gone out of order. Failing to maintain a constant temperature, noise that doesn't seem to make sense, high energy bills and visible leaks are just a few of the first signs that can help you catch issues before they become costly disasters.

If done regularly, professionally and immediately, the life of your system can be extended and energy efficiency is increased and you can prevent unplanned downtime.