Hot water repairs
Fault-finding on gas, electric, heat pump, continuous flow and solar systems — ignition and pilot faults, failed elements and thermostats, valve faults, leaks and no hot water.
Hot water · Sydney
Hot water plumber Sydney
Hot water repairs, servicing, replacement and installation across Sydney — gas, electric, heat pump, continuous flow and solar systems.
Owner-operated — Joel Polifroni attends and carries out the work himself. Hot water and blocked drains are our two specialist areas.
What we do
Repairs, servicing, replacement and installation
Hot water servicing
Checking and servicing of the system and its safety components, including the PTR valve, tempering valve, isolation valves and temperature setting.
Hot water replacement
Like-for-like replacements and changeovers where a system has reached the end of its life, including removal of the old unit.
Hot water installation
New installations and relocations, set out correctly with new water and gas connections where required, then commissioned and temperature-set.
System types
Hot water systems we work with
Gas continuous flow
On-demand systems that heat water as it is used. Repairs, replacements and new installations.
Gas storage
Storage systems with a gas burner and thermostat — fault diagnosis, valve work and replacement.
Electric storage
Element, thermostat and valve faults, plus full replacement of electric storage units.
Heat pump
Systems that draw heat from the surrounding air into a storage tank. Assessment, replacement and installation.
Solar hot water
Roof-mounted and split solar systems, including boosted units, valve faults and replacement.
Changeovers and upgrades
Moving from one system type to another where the gas, water and electrical services and the location allow it.
Faults
Hot water problems we investigate
- No hot water at all
- Hot water that runs out too quickly
- Water not reaching the expected temperature
- Temperature fluctuating during use
- Water that is too hot at the tap
- Leaking tank, valve or connection
- Water discharging constantly from the PTR valve
- Reduced hot water pressure or flow
- Pilot light or ignition faults on gas systems
- Banging, rumbling or unusual noises
- Discoloured or rusty hot water
- An ageing system that needs assessment
Repair or replace
How that decision is made
- The age and general condition of the unit
- Whether the fault is a component or the tank itself
- Availability of replacement parts for that system
- Whether the tank is leaking, which is not repairable
- How well the current system suits the household's demand
- The condition of the existing water, gas and electrical connections
- Available space and access at the existing location
- Whether the system still meets current installation requirements
We assess the system first and explain the practical repair and replacement options before any work is agreed.
Installation requirements
Valves, safety and connections
A hot water installation is more than the unit on the wall. These are the parts of the job that keep the system safe and compliant.
- Tempering valves are required on new hot water installations serving personal hygiene fixtures, so water delivered to bathrooms is limited to a safe temperature.
- The PTR valve (pressure and temperature relief valve) is a safety device on storage systems. It is checked and, where required, replaced as part of repair and replacement work, and its drain line must discharge safely.
- Cold water expansion control, isolation valves and a correctly graded relief drain line are fitted where the installation requires them.
- Electric storage replacements involve a restricted electrical disconnect and reconnect of the existing circuit to the new unit, which Joel is separately certified to carry out. Any other electrical work, including new or altered circuits, is carried out by a licensed electrician.
- Gas work — including new or modified gas supply to a continuous flow or storage system — is carried out under our gas fitting licence and leak tested before commissioning.
- Specialist solar work outside our licensing is referred to the appropriately licensed trade.
Frequently asked questions
Hot water questions
Need help with gas pipework or appliances? View our Gas Fitting service.Why do I have no hot water?
On a gas system it is often ignition, the pilot or a gas supply issue. On electric storage it is commonly the element or thermostat. It can also be an isolated supply, a tripped circuit, or a tank that has failed. We diagnose it on site before recommending repair or replacement.
Should I repair or replace my hot water system?
That depends on the fault, the age and condition of the unit, whether parts are available, and whether the system still suits the household. A component fault on a sound unit is usually worth repairing. A leaking tank is not repairable and needs replacement.
Why is water dripping from the valve on my hot water system?
Some discharge from the PTR valve is normal as water heats and expands. Constant or heavy discharge usually means the PTR valve has failed, the water pressure is too high, or expansion control is needed. It should be assessed rather than plugged or left running.
Why is my hot water too hot, or not hot enough at the shower?
Temperature at bathroom outlets is controlled by a tempering valve. A failed tempering valve, an incorrect thermostat setting or a mixer fault can each cause it. We test the delivered temperature to find out which.
Do I need a tempering valve on a new system?
New hot water installations serving personal hygiene fixtures require a tempering valve so the water delivered to bathrooms is limited to a safe temperature. It is included as part of a compliant installation.
Can I change from a storage system to continuous flow?
Often, yes. The existing gas supply, water services, proposed location and the manufacturer's installation requirements all need to be assessed first, so we confirm it on site before quoting the changeover.
Do you handle the electrical side of an electric hot water replacement?
Joel holds restricted electrical disconnect and reconnect certification, which covers disconnecting the old unit and reconnecting the new one on the existing circuit. Any other electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician.
What should I do if my hot water system is leaking?
Keep clear of hot water and electrical components and call us. If it is safe to reach, isolating the cold water supply to the unit will usually stop the flow while an assessment is arranged.
Which parts of Sydney do you cover?
Hot water repairs, servicing, replacement and installation across the Sydney metropolitan area.
Need help with your hot water system?
Whether the system has stopped working, is leaking or needs replacing, call and we will assess it and explain the options.