When To Inspect Your Hot Water System

Introduction to Hot Water System Inspections

Regular water heater maintenance is essential to make sure issues that can cause inefficient operation and shorten its lifespan are prevented. Over time, sediment buildup, faulty heating elements, and failing components can reduce performance or lead to complete system failure if left unchecked.

To sidestep expensive emergency repairs or replacement, we recommend home and business owners arrange professional hot water heater maintenance by licenced plumbers once every 1-2 years.

During a water heater inspection, plumbers thoroughly examine all components including the water tank, heating elements, anode rods, valves, and pipes. They’ll clean or replace worn parts and identify potential problems before they turn into major issues down the track.

As leading plumbers serving Penshurst and surrounding suburbs for over 10 years, Penshurst Plumbing has extensive expertise maintaining all types hot water system types. From scheduling standard servicing to handling tricky repairs, our fully qualified technicians can take care of more than all your hot water needs.

Average Lifespan and Ideal Inspection Frequency

On average, most hot water systems need regular maintenance and will last 8-12 years before requiring replacement, but with servicing done at least once a year can extend this timeline. However, with regular maintenance and inspections from a qualified professional plumber, you can extend your system’s lifespan significantly.

We recommend arranging professional water heater inspections when your system needs a detailed check:

• Every 1-2 years for standard electric or solar water heating systems
• Every 3 years for solar hot water system maintenance or when need arises as per the regular inspection schedule for other high-quality models

In areas with hard water, your hot water tank requires more frequent inspections as mineral build up can reduce efficiency over time. A licensed plumber can advise how often your unit should be serviced, considering the frequent usage among a lot of people and your home’s water quality.

By scheduling preventative maintenance checks, plumbers can make your system operate at peak performance. This often includes comprehensive hot water service testing, cleaning, adjustments, and part replacements to guarantee impeccable operation as required. Through regular servicing, minor issues get resolved ensuring everything is kept in perfect working condition before causing any breakdowns or safety hazards.

Don’t wait to see symptoms of trouble; get your water heater checked regularly and contact Penshurst Plumbing for inspections. Protect your investment and sidestep emergency repairs by having your system serviced regularly.

Professional Inspections: What to Expect

When a Penshurst Plumbing technician performs a professional hot water system inspection, they conduct a thorough assessment to identify potential issues before they cause breakdowns. This includes:

• Testing all components that heat water including heating elements, thermostats, valves and fittings with care to avoid any mishaps every six months
• Checking energy efficiency and adjusting settings as needed
• Cleaning mineral deposits and sediment from the storage tank
• Assessing and replacing the sacrificial anode rod approximately every three to five years
• Inspecting the condition of insulation, wiring and exterior components
• Verifying adequate water pressure and testing relief valves
• Identifying any leaks, corrosion, cracks or abnormalities

Our qualified technicians are experts in maintaining and system servicing for all common residential and commercial systems, from electric and gas to solar water, solar PV, and heat pump models.

By detecting minor faults early in your heater system, we help prevent them from escalating into major repairs or complete replacements. Regular professional servicing, especially for your solar hot water heating systems, maximises efficiency and adds years to the operational life of your hot water system.

DIY Homeowner Maintenance

As a homeowner, you can perform simple maintenance tasks between professional inspections to ensure that your new water heater maintains its efficiency, which is a smart thing to know about. We recommend the following do-it-yourself maintenance steps:

Monthly

• Check if your pipes can be the source of leaks around valves
• Confirm your temperature relief valve is working properly and not dripping
• Inspect water pressure valve to ensure it falls within the proper range - should be 350-870 kPa

Every 3 Months

• Flush tank of your hot water heater to clear out sediment
• Clean inlet water filter screens

Annually

• Test temperature pressure relief valve
• Check anode rod condition if accessible
• Inspect exterior insulation and weatherproofing

Adjust your hot water unit to "vacation mode" to save energy when away for extended periods. Your water heater must have the hot tap water temperature set on the thermostat between 18-27°C for safety and efficiency, which can also help save money. Report any strange sounds, dripping valves or error codes to your plumber promptly.

While DIY maintenance helps, professional inspections remain crucial to identify underlying issues in water heaters. Contact Penshurst Plumbing for expert water heating solutions to keep your hot water system running smoothly for years to come.

Detecting Issues and Knowing When to Call a Professional

As a homeowner, being attuned to subtle changes in your hot water system can help avoid extensive damages. Contact a professional promptly to avoid plumbing issues if you notice any of the following:

• A sudden spike in your power bills could be a telltale sign—possibly heating element failure, which can make limescale buildup serious, reducing efficiency.
• Strange new sounds like gurgling or banging can also be symptoms of sediment accumulation or a malfunctioning thermostat.
• Dripping taps or valves often come from worn parts and can leak, but could also indicate more concerning issues with your plumbing or the storage tank itself.
• Rust coloured water is a red flag for internal corrosion and failing tank linings.
• Error code displays, smoking, strange smells or abnormal functionality necessitate immediate servicing to prevent hazard risks.

While DIY maintenance helps preserve your water unit, identifying underlying faults requires professional instrumentation and expertise. The technicians at Penshurst Plumbing utilise advanced diagnostics to thoroughly inspect all components and detect issues early before they escalate into major repair bills.

Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone when something seems off, as plumbing can often be complex and require professional attention. Early intervention can solve problems cheaply and extend your appliance’s lifespan.

Safety Considerations

When maintaining or inspecting your hot water system, it is very important to keep safety as the top priority. Follow these guidelines to ensure your safety and prevent hazardous situations:

• Carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve, easing lever function according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure it functions correctly so that high pressure can be safely managed in your water heater system.
• If you have a gas water heater, annually inspect for carbon monoxide leaks in gas connections and water supply lines, utilising a soapy water solution for detection. Look for bubbles which indicate escaping gas.
• In the case of gas hot water heaters, ensure all electrical connections are undamaged and well-insulated against cold water to prevent shock risks.
• Relieve pressure via the relief valve and turn off power/check your gas supply before performing any maintenance to eliminate accident risks.
• Let components like the drain valve fully cool before handling them to avoid any risk of burns.
• Exercise caution when dealing with heavy storage tanks or piping to avoid muscle strains or other injuries.

Adhering to safety best practises as recommended by a service agent reduces the likelihood of personal harm, property damage or system malfunctions. If in doubt, consult your local licenced professional like Penshurst Plumbing to assist with servicing your hot water system safely.

Improving Efficiency Through Maintenance

Regularly choosing to flush water heater systems can improve their efficiency by up to 40%; this is something water systems need periodically. This involves checking pipe insulation, clearing sediment from hot water heaters, and replacing faulty parts like heating elements or anode rods before they fail.

Have a technician adjust thermostat settings for optimal energy usage based on your household size and your hot water heater usage patterns. Installing heat traps, low-flow showerheads, and ensuring adequate insulation on pipes and the exterior of your tank provide additional efficiency boosts.

By keeping your water system well-maintained, you are ensuring your system’s performance and energy savings over time. The small effort of regular upkeep reduces electricity bills and carbon emissions while extending the operating life of your hot water system by years. Contact the team at Penshurst Plumbing to inspect your system and provide further custom tips for improving efficiency.

When Professional Service is Needed

While regular hot water system maintenance can help preserve your appliance, professional inspections and servicing provide maximum benefit for performance and longevity. Our qualified technicians have the expertise to thoroughly examine all components and proactively identify issues before they cause breakdowns.

We recommend contacting Penshurst Plumbing for professional heater inspections when your system shows any of the following signs your heater may need attention:

• A sudden increase in electricity bills, which may indicate heating element failure or limescale buildup
• New gurgling, banging or strange sounds coming from the unit
• Dripping taps or valves, which could signal leaks
• Rusty coloured water indicating corrosion inside the tank
• Error codes, smoke, odd smells or abnormal functionality

Should your unit need a careful look, our comprehensive inspections include checking out your water system’s pipes, wiring, heating elements, and overall condition. We identify faults early and restore peak efficiency through adjustments and part replacements as needed.

Trust Penshurst Plumbing to keep your hot water system running smoothly for years to come. Contact us at 1300 349 338 or [email protected] to schedule your next inspection.