Hot water is a given for us. But why do customers call us when they have no hot water or too little? This phenomenon often happens unexpectedly on a Friday afternoon or at the weekend.
Is your hot water cylinder broken and needs replacing?
We naturally assume we can take a shower to relax at any time of day or a hot bath to unwind in the evening. However, this quiet moment becomes a nightmare when you suddenly and unexpectedly find yourself under a cold shower. Why is the hot water cylinder system no longer heating? Or is there no water coming out of the tap at all? Have other consumers used all the available hot water? Or is the pump broken?
In New Zealand, hot water cylinders are among the most popular and standard hot water heating systems used in almost every household. This is mainly because of their reliable operation and long lifespan. However, every hot water cylinder eventually wears out. Ultimately, there are significant signs of whether it is worth repairing your hot water cylinder or whether it is better to replace it.
The 7 signs that your hot water cylinder needs replacing
1. No hot water
You turn on the hot water faucet in the kitchen, and the water that comes out of your tap is cold and stays cold. Or you look forward to a hot shower and are shocked that only cold water comes out of the shower head. Or you want to relax in a warm bath and are blindsided by ice-cold water when you get in.
Consequently, cold water from every tap in your home is a major sign that your hot water cylinder needs replacing!
2. Low water pressure
Although old low-pressure hot water cylinders are still used in New Zealand, a decrease in water pressure or a change in water flow rate can indicate a serious problem. If you’ve noticed a continuous decrease in water pressure (e.g., when showering) or a decline in water flow rate, it is likely related to sediment in the water heater or your home’s pipes. As a result, scale buildup will worsen over time and needs quick action to reduce the risk of running out of hot water.
3. Running out of hot water
Do you wash the dishes and know you don’t have enough hot water for a relaxing bath afterwards? Do you have just enough hot water for one shower a day? Are you constantly running out of hot water in your household?
As a result, your hot water cylinder isn’t producing enough hot water to serve all units adequately. Check how long your hot water supply will last. If you are used to showering for much longer before running out of hot water, your hot water cylinder may have a problem.
4. Leaking hot water cylinder
If you discover water dripping from your hot water cylinder, this could be due to a leak in the water tank. First, check if water has already accumulated on the floor around it. If there are already puddles or pools of water around the hot water cylinder, or even a jet of water is flowing from the cylinder into the floor drain, you should act immediately. Therefore, a leaking hot water cylinder usually indicates a severe internal defect and needs a replacement.
5. Hot water cylinder making noise
Keep an ear out for your hot water cylinder. If you regularly notice unusual clanking or popping noises, there is most likely a mechanical defect. Noises such as cracking, popping or whining may indicate a deteriorating heating element. Or they are caused by burnt sediment and limescale. A gurgling or even boiling noise is caused by a pressure build-up or severe overheating in the tank.
Finally, all these noises are untypical for a hot water cylinder and indicate a severe problem.
6. Discoloured or smelly water
If the water from the tap smells strange or shows a discolouration, the cause can be manifold. One reason may be a problem with the hot water cylinder. A rotten-egg smell, for example, can be caused by bacteria accumulating in the heating unit. If the drinking water turns brownish, it may indicate rust in the water tank. This could be due to a broken anode rod in the water tank. This element kills bacteria and removes rust from the tank water.
7. Old hot water cylinder model
We recommend checking the age of your hot water cylinder. Most hot water cylinders are warranted for 5-10 years. Many last beyond the warranty expectation. But if your hot water cylinder is in the double digits of its lifespan and you have noticed poor performance or any of the warning signs above, it might be time to replace it with a newer model.
Modern hot water cylinders are far more efficient, reliable and mostly maintenance-free. New stainless steel technologies make hot water cylinders specifically suitable and safe for storing drinking water.
Get expert advice for your hot water cylinders in Auckland
Defects, malfunctions or even breakdowns, especially during cold periods, at weekends and on a Friday afternoon, are particularly inconvenient for our customers. However, these events also provide an opportunity to consider a maintenance contract and/or a new hot water cylinder. A faulty, defective hot water cylinder requires specialist knowledge.
If you live in Albany, Orewa, Millwater or Silverdale, call us and schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers.
Why is my hot water cylinder not working?
If your hot water cylinder stops working properly or breaks down, there can be several reasons.
The non-return valve is stuck
Hot water must not push back into the cold water pipe. A non-return valve prevents this. However, if this valve is stuck, only a small amount of water flows back into the hot water supply, and the pressure in the hot water pipes drops.
Limescale is built up in the boiler
Depending on the area, tap water contains more or less lime. When heated, limescale precipitates and accumulates in the hot water storage tank or the pipes. After a few years, several kilos of limescale can build up in an average 200-litre storage tank. A particularly warm spot in the hot water cylinder is usually the hot water outlet. Here, limescale gradually clogs the pipe, and not enough hot water reaches the taps in the house.
Switching valve/mixer valve is faulty
If the hot water heating is controlled via a mixer valve, this may be defective or not managed correctly. As a result, only the heating is replenished, but not the hot water supply – or vice versa.
Corrosion of individual elements
If seals become porous or the boiler has a defect, water can leak from the storage tank. You may then need to repair the pipes and seals. Corrosion can also lead to a leak. When atmospheric oxygen reacts with metal, it causes rust, which decomposes over time.
We won’t leave you in the lurch! Emergency breakdown service for hot water cylinders in Rodney
Whatever causes issues with your HWC, our electricians and plumbers will fix it. At Aqua Works, we repair, service, and install hot water cylinders quickly and straightforwardly.
If you live in Dairy Flat, Coatesville, or Albany Heights, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you!
Can a hot water cylinder be repaired?
If your hot water cylinder has a defect, a specialist company should always do the repairs or replacement. Because if you do the work yourself, you could end up incurring even higher expenses or causing more extensive problems. There is no general answer to how expensive it is to repair a defective hot water cylinder. Costs always depend on the extent of the repair work. If your faulty hot water cylinder requires many hours of work to repair, a full replacement may be cheaper. Talk to our service team, and we will inform you about the costs and options.
Professional support for hot water cylinders in Warkworth
For your safety, you should not attempt to repair the heating system yourself. You may also lose warranty coverage on newer appliances. Especially if the hot water cylinder heats drinking water, a specialist should carry out the repair. This is because the expert must meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Standards. The plumber will ensure the storage tank regularly heats the water to at least 60°C to prevent Legionella infestation.
If you are located in Warkworth, Matakana, Omaha, Leigh, or Mangawhai, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time if you notice any issues with your hot water cylinder. Our service team will contact you and provide honest advice on repairing or replacing your hot water cylinder.
Hot water element replacement
With a hot water cylinder, it is crucial to spot early warning signs. As a homeowner, you need to identify when this important system starts to fail. The sooner you recognise the following problems, the less likely you will be left out in the cold.
However, sometimes it just needs a hot water cylinder element replacement. If the heating element stops working, it doesn’t automatically mean you have to buy a new hot water cylinder. Replacing a hot water heater element may seem complex and is best done by a professional.
Each hot water cylinder has a thermostat that controls the heating element. If the water heats up very slowly or you do have no hot water at all, there might be a problem with the thermostat. This heating element is located inside the water tank and controls the water temperature. As soon as the water temperature drops below 60 degrees, this immersion element switches on.
This is required by law to prevent Legionella bacteria from growing. If the thermostat malfunctions, the element can fail and shut down permanently. This way, you run out of hot water and expose yourself and your family to a severe health risk.
Call us for professional service for your hot water heater element replacement
Our highly skilled and experienced team looks forward to providing honest and reliable advice on whether you need a hot water element replacement. We will help you choose the best hot water cylinder option for your individual needs.
If you live in North Auckland, the Rodney district, or the Warkworth area, call us and schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers.
Which hot water cylinder brands do we repair and service?
We service, maintain and repair all leading brands, makes and models of hot water cylinders. Whether it is a copper low-pressure hot water cylinder, an enamel hot water cylinder, a stainless steel hot water cylinder or a heat pump hot water cylinder, we have the experience and knowledge.
If you cannot find your model below, please call us.