The underlying cause of the lack of hot water could also be causing property damage so it is important to get a plumber to investigate if it is not easily rectified. Here are some of the symptoms of no hot water and how a local plumber can identify and resolve them.
Insufficient Hot Water
- Symptom: When warm water or not sufficiently heated water is coming from the hot water tap.
- Cause: Sediment accumulates over time at the bottom of the hot water system tank and reduces heating efficiency. Perth water often contains a high mineral count which can lead to hard water and accelerate this process.
- Identifying: A plumber will may conduct a visual inspection of the inside of the tank and monitor the water quality for particles and discolouration as they drain the tank.
- Repair: The plumber will flush the tank clear of sediment and inspect the other elements inside the hot water system and remove excessive build up of sediment if required.
Low Water Pressure
- Symptom: When the hot water dribbles out of the faucet or is delivered slower than usual.
- Cause: Sediment and mineral deposits inside pipes are usually the cause of low water pressure. The deposits narrow the opening for water to pass through and a dip in water pressure is the result.
- Identifying: The best plumbers in Perth have specialised equipment to measure flow rates of pipework. A visual inspection as well as familiarity with local Perth water quality can help pinpoint scale deposits, signs of corrosion and blockages.
- Repair: The plumber will flush the pipes to clear out debris and accumulated build up. Flushing is the standard method for clearing pipes and ensuring your hot water system can deliver water at the normal pressure.
Fluctuating Water Temperature
- Symptom: While subjectively not as bad as having no hot water at all, fluctuating water temperature is usually more noticeable on colder days.
- Cause: Malfunctioning thermostats can result in fluctuating hot and cold water as this component is responsible for regulating water temperature.
- Identifying: Water fluctuating between scalding hot and lukewarm is a strong indicator of this issue but a plumber will also listen out for certain noises and inspect the heating elements and thermostat for damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
- Repair: Plumbing experience helps with knowing if a simple adjustment will correct a malfunctioning thermostat or whether a complete replacement is warranted.
Strange Noises from the Water Heater
- Symptom: You hear strange noises that sound like rumbling, creaking, ticking or popping coming from your hot water system during heating cycles.
- Cause: The creaking and ticking sounds can be caused by the thermal expansion of metal components in the water heater. The rumbling and popping are normally associated with sediment build up that has trapped pockets of air inside the system and these react during the heating cycle.
- Identifying: A Perth plumber uses their local experience to listen for distinctive sounds that can indicate the cause of the strange noises.
- Repair: Once again, flushing the tank will clear the tank and eliminate noises occurring from sediment build up. The plumber will clean and replace parts affected by thermal expansion if necessary and can also lower the temperature setting to prevent more damage from happening down the track.
Water Leaks Around the Water Heater
- Symptom: Noticing visible water leaks around a hot water system is self-explanatory and should be dealt with promptly to prevent safety hazards and water damage.
- Cause: Water leaks can be attributed to a number of issues including loose or damaged fittings, corrosion, faulty valves, condensation and tank damage.
- Identifying: Visual and audible inspections are most common, especially of the tank surface and pressure relief valve, but your plumber may also inspect your water metre if they are suspicious of a concealed leak.
- Repair: Tightening connections, patching leaks and replacing valves and faulty components addresses the cause of most leaks. The plumber could also insulate pipes or install a drain line to minimise condensation and prevent water accumulation around the hot water system.
It is always important to be proactive and prompt when seeing the symptoms listed above that relate to hot water problems. These symptoms of hot water issues are just some of the more common that arise in Perth and different plumbers have varying skills and local experience when it comes to identifying the cause and rectifying the problems.
Provista Plumbing & Gas is a licensed and insured plumber that services both the north and south of river areas when it comes to plumbing repairs. Hot water systems are their speciality and they back all their jobs with a workmanship guarantee, while using quality parts, so you can contact them with confidence the next time you have a hot water issue.