Has your hot water system sprung a leak? If you’re not sure, but your hot water pressure of the shower head has dropped, your water and energy bills are higher than expected or your hot water system simply isn’t working as well as it used to, it could be because you’re dealing with a hot water leak.
Are you sure it’s a hot water leak?
But before we start putting it right, let’s try to confirm that you’re dealing with a hot water system leaking from somewhere. So, are you seeing or experiencing:
- Hot water leaking?: The most obvious way to tell if you have a hot water service leaking water is because you actually see it happening! But if the leak isn’t so obvious, check all the way around the tank and also on and around all of the exposed pipes for pooling or dripping water.
- Reduced pressure?: If there’s a hot water leak, every time you turn on the tap you would be getting a low hot water pressure which is something you wouldn’t like.
- Condensation?: You might think a bit of condensation is perfectly normal, but it’s also a sign that water may be escaping the system and coming into contact with the air.
- Bad smells?: If that leak has been occurring for a while, that musty smell could be mould or mildew – which is not only bad for you but a hint that you are dealing with a hot water cylinder leaking.
- High bills?: Even if it’s just a drip-drip-drip, you’re still paying for every lost drop – and it adds up over a quarterly period, that’s for sure!
- Rusty-looking water?: Unfortunately, tank corrosion and rust go hand-in-hand with a hot water system leaking water.
Hot water leaking? Here’s what to do
Are you certain you’re dealing with a hot water leak? If you’re not sure but you suspect that’s what is going on, there is no time like the present to call a hot water plumber near you. But if you are 100% sure, here’s what to do – right now!:
1. Turn off the power
If it’s an electric hot water system, turn off the hot water at the circuit breaker – but if you’re not sure how, just turn off the mains switch for your entire house. For gas hot water systems, either turn off the gas bottle or the natural gas supply at the mains.
WHY?: Uncontrolled water and electricity obviously don’t mix, but this step will also prevent your system from overheating or being otherwise further damaged.
2. Turn off the water
You can either turn off the water at the system’s shut-off valve or at the water mains.
WHY?: This will at least ensure that no more water is delivered to the tank for now.
3. Drain the tank
It’s simply done by turning on all of the hot water taps in your home. Just remember to eventually turn them back off!
WHY?: While turning off the water supply will stop the leak eventually, draining the system in a controlled way will speed up the process so you’re not left with pools of uncontrolled water around the system or elsewhere.
4. Check for damage
Do you see cracks, holes, or other obvious signs of damage?
WHY?: It’s vital early information for your local plumber, so they can ensure the potential remedy is in their van when they arrive.
5. Document the damage
If the system or your property is indeed damaged, take detailed photos and notes of what it all looks like.
WHY?: This will help in the event you need to file an insurance claim.
6. Call a hot water plumber near you
You’ll need a fully-licensed hot water technician who can quickly assess the situation, locate the problem, minimise the damage and start working on the solution.
Get help for your leaking hot water system
Are you finding it hard to find a fully-licensed emergency hot water plumber near you to simply deal with the problem before it gets any worse or more expensive? We understand that you can’t go long without hot water and that you’re anxious to get a fast fix done to limit the damage and hopefully avoid having to replace the system altogether – so give Hot Water Systems Brisbane a call right now.
While other plumbers are busy with a laundry list of more generic plumbing problems, all we care about are hot water systems all over Brisbane and beyond. From emergency 24/7 hot water repairs to 5-star hot water installation and maintenance services to start-to-finish affordable hot water system replacements, our fully-licensed specialists cover the A to Z of all the hot water-related issues you may be facing. Hot water system leaking? We’ll take care of it, so give Hot Water Systems Brisbane a call today.
