Even when you have plenty of hot water, it’s still a good idea to look at your water heater from time to time. If the day comes when you see it leaking or find evidence that it has been leaking, it’s time to look even closer.
How to Troubleshoot the Problem
If you’re the handy sort
and are comfortable with finding the source of the leak - by turning off the energy and water supplies, in that order - the instructions below will prove helpful.
If you’re even a little unsure of yourself
, contact Kalamunda Plumbing to troubleshoot the problem for you.
1. Find the source of the leak.
Is your system it leaking from the cylinder? Or perhaps the pressure relief (PRV) or pressure/temperature relief valve (PTRV)?
If it’s the PRV or PTRV, things might not be so serious.
It’s normal for these valves to leak a little water
occasionally, just not 24 hours a day.
If the leak is coming from the top or bottom of your
electric or solar hot water system
, turn off the electricity at the power board to prevent water and electricity from coming into direct contact.
If you have a leaking
gas hot water system
, look for the gas pipe running into the system and turn it off at the stop tap or lever valve.
2. Turn off the water supply.
This step applies to heat pumps, ground mounted solar, gas, and electric water heaters.
Look for a small black stop tap, butterfly valve, or lever valve on a pipe leading into the bottom of the unit, or into the side just above the base.
Turn the valve off fully in a clockwise rotation
. If you have a roof-mounted solar water heater, look for a small black stop tap or butterfly valve on the side of your house and next to the PRV that drips on a hot day, or when your booster is on. Once again,
fully turn this valve off clockwise
.
If you can’t find the inlet tap, or it has seized up,
turn off the water at the water meter
. Before you do, it’s a good idea to fill a kettle or jug with water for drinking along with a couple of buckets so you can flush the toilet. Next step? Call Kalamunda Plumbing.
It’s Time to Call in the Pros
Our team of licensed, fully qualified plumbers has the knowledge and experience to maintain, repair, and install all types of hot water services, including:
- Electric hot water systems
- Gas hot water systems
- Heat pumps
- Gas & electric boosted solar hot water systems
- Roof & ground mounted solar hot water systems
We’ll investigate the water heater problem and advise you on the best solution. If a new system is called for,
we’ll remove and safely dispose of the old unit
– that's one less thing for you to worry about
.
Also, if you’re not sure whether to purchase the same kind of system you have now or a different type, our technicians will be happy to provide you with a range of options.
When a replacement system is called for, count on Kalamunda Plumbing to recommend and install only high quality equipment.
As a valued customer, you also can
count on saving money
on all types of home plumbing matters...including water heater repair and replacement.
