How often should I book a hot water service?

When you think about it, the hot water system in your home really is a superstar. It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and doesn’t get a leisurely lunch break or the occasional overnight sleep to rest and recover. It is therefore really important that you ensure your system is regularly serviced, to ensure it can continue offering the same optimal, round-the-clock service without a hitch. But realistically, how often are you supposed to get your hot water heater serviced?

What is the average lifespan of a hot water system?

In Australia, the average lifespan of a hot water unit is between 8-12 years. Just think, you may keep your car for a lesser period than that, but you still get it regularly serviced, so why should your hot water system miss out?

How often should I get my hot water heater serviced?

The way in which you use your hot water system, as well as the type of system you have, will affect the timeline in which you should have your hot water heater serviced. Remember, these times are rough guidelines only for storage systems, and you should speak to your local professional as to whether your services should be more regular than normal :

• Domestic hot water heaters: once every 12 months
• Commercial hot water heaters: once every 12 months
• Industrial hot water heaters: once every 12 months

If you live in an area that has hard water, you should have your system serviced every 6 months. Always refer to your water heater manual for specific brand and model advice though!

What should a hot water unit service include?

When you contact a licenced plumber and gas fitter to complete a hot water system service, it should generally include :

• Checking the anode (if an electric or solar hot water system)
• Gas pressure check
• Burner pressure check
• Checking the thermostat
• Valve check
• Checking for leaks or signs of corrosion on the cylinder and heat jacket
• Cleaning the system
• General once-over to check the soundness of the system

The anode in electric and solar hot water heating systems needs replacing every 5 years, and the thermostat needs replacing every 3-5 years. If you believe that these times are coming up when your service is due, get your plumber to complete the replacements while they are completing your service.

Why should I get my hot water system serviced?

There are heaps of reasons that you should regularly have your hot water system serviced, including :

• Safety! You hear stories about hot water units blowing up or bursting, and you don’t want that to be your system
• Helps extend the lifespan of your hot water system
• Helps your unit run more efficiently, meaning lower energy bills
• Increases reliability of your system
• Reduces the need for regular repairs
• Keeping your servicing up-to-date can assist in protecting any warranties your may have on the unit or your home
• Reduces the likelihood of a costly accident happening, if regular servicing is checking all the system parts

How do you know when your water heater requires a service?

There are heaps of different signs a water heater gives out to know that it is time for a service… or it may mean your system needs replacing. These range from water leaking from the system to the pilot light frequently going out, to the constant changing of water temperature. If anything isn’t right with your system, it is highly recommended that you contact your local professional and they will be able to decipher the issue and resolve it quickly and efficiently. Sure, you can take a look at the system yourself but remember, a qualified professional will have the appropriate knowledge and tools to figure out the problem and likely resolve it a lot easier than you can.

What about hot water system maintenance?

Although a lot of people think that servicing and maintenance are the same things, they can vary in a few different ways. In this case, it is important to regularly maintain your hot water system between services, to ensure all components are working at their optimal level. This means doing things like checking the temperature and pressure relief valve (the TPR valve) every four months and checking your system for cracks once every four weeks or so, as well as completing a half-yearly flush out of your system to remove any built-up dirt, minerals or sediment that has built up over the last six months. Maintenance also helps extend the life of your hot water unit, which is a major benefit! Speak to your local plumber, and they will be able to put together a maintenance schedule for you.

If you have any questions regarding hot water servicing, or you believe your system may be due for a service, give the team at Everyday Plumbing a call on 0488 801 008 or complete an online job booking form. We can help maintain and service all major hot water system brands, so get in contact today.