No hot water? What to check before calling a plumber

There’s nothing worse than jumping in the shower expecting a nice hot start to the day, only to get hit with freezing cold water.

Before you panic, there are a few simple things you can check yourself. Sometimes the problem is an easy fix. Other times, your hot water system might need professional attention.

If you're looking for hot water repair Gold Coast services, here's what to check first.

1. Check if the whole house has no hot water

Before blaming the hot water system, check a couple of different taps around the house.

If the kitchen, bathroom and shower are all running cold, there’s probably an issue with the hot water system.

If it’s only one tap or shower that's affected, the problem could be with the tapware, shower mixer or plumbing instead.

2. Check your switchboard

Have a quick look at your electrical switchboard.

If you have an electric hot water system, the circuit breaker may have tripped. You can reset it once and see if your hot water comes back.

If it trips again, don't keep switching it back on. There could be an electrical fault that needs to be checked by a licensed professional.

3. Has everyone had a shower?

This one sounds obvious, but we have seen it happen!

Storage hot water systems only hold a certain amount of hot water. If you've got a few people in the house taking long showers, running baths and using hot water for washing, you may simply have used it all.

Give the system some time to heat back up and tell those teenagers to keep the showers short!

If you're regularly running out of hot water though, your system might be too small for your household or there could be an issue with the system itself.

4. Check for leaks

Have a look around your hot water system.

Is there water pooling around the bottom? Can you see water dripping from the tank or pipes?

A leaking hot water system shouldn't be ignored. Even a small leak can turn into a much bigger plumbing problem.

If you're dealing with a leaking system, hot water repair Gold Coast services, like Coast Plumbing Solutions, can help identify where the leak is coming from and whether the system can be repaired or needs replacing.

5. Check your gas supply

If your home has a gas hot water system, make sure your gas supply hasn't been interrupted.

If you use LPG bottles, check whether the bottle is empty.

Don't attempt to repair or pull apart a gas hot water system yourself. Gas appliances should always be checked by a licensed professional.

6. Is your water only lukewarm?

You might not have completely lost your hot water.

If the water is getting warm but never super hot, there could be an issue with the thermostat, heating element, gas burner or another component.

A faulty tempering valve can also cause temperature problems. The tempering valve controls the temperature of water coming from your hot water system to your taps.

Our team at Coast Plumbing Solutions can test the system and work out what's actually causing the problem.

7. Listen for strange noises

Is your hot water system making banging, popping or rumbling noises?

This can be a sign that something isn't working as it should.

Older systems can develop problems over time, and strange noises are worth getting checked before they turn into a bigger and more expensive issue.

When should you call us at Coast Plumbing Solutions?

If you've tried the basic checks and you're still getting cold water, it's probably time to call us.

You should also get your hot water system checked if you notice:

• Water leaking from the tank
• Rust or corrosion
• Strange noises
• Water that's too hot or too cold
• Hot water running out quickly
• Repeated electrical problems
• A sudden increase in energy bills
• No hot water at all

Sometimes a simple repair is all that's needed. Other times, replacing an older system may make more sense.

Getting the problem checked early can potentially save you from a much bigger headache later.

Need hot water repairs on the Gold Coast?

Being stuck without hot water is never convenient, especially when you've got kids, a busy household or a full day ahead.

If you've tried the basic checks and your system still isn't working, the team at Coast Plumbing Solutions can help.

We provide hot water repair Gold Coast services, along with hot water system replacements and general plumbing services.

We'll check the system, explain what's going on and help you work out the most practical solution.

Need help with your hot water? Contact Coast Plumbing Solutions for a quote today.