Brisbane plumbers encounter diverse hot water systems daily, ranging from traditional gas and electric models to more eco-friendly options like solar-powered and heat pump systems. Each type of system comes with unique care and maintenance requirements, making it essential for homeowners to understand the specifics of their particular unit. Proper hot water system maintenance ensures a reliable hot water supply and efficient operation year-round.
As experts in all aspects of plumbing and gas fitting, Brisbane Plumbers possess comprehensive knowledge of these various hot water systems. Their expertise allows them to address multiple hot water needs, from installation and repairs to routine maintenance. This includes inspecting and replacing anode rods, checking pressure relief valves, and assessing when hot water system replacement might be necessary. To help homeowners prolong the life of their existing hot water system and avoid unexpected breakdowns, Brisbane plumbers have compiled a set of essential maintenance tips.
We’ll explore four key recommendations to help you keep your hot water system in top condition, ensuring a consistent and safe water supply for your household regardless of type or age.
Drain Your Hot Water System
Regular maintenance of your hot water service is crucial for its longevity and efficiency. One essential task that plumbers emphasize is draining your hot water system, particularly if it has a tank. You or a professional Brisbane plumber should perform this process every few months. Draining your hot water tank serves multiple purposes:
- It clears debris and sediments that accumulate with regular use
- It reduces the likelihood of pipe blockages due to excess build-up
- It helps prevent future plumbing problems that might require professional intervention
To properly drain your hot water tank, follow these steps:
- Drain about a quarter of the tank
- Slightly open the pressure relief valve to prevent excessive pressure build-up
- Connect a hose and allow water to flow, cleaning out sediments
This process removes debris and allows you to inspect critical components such as the heating element and the sacrificial anode rod. The anode rod plays a vital role in protecting your tank from corrosion, and regular draining provides an opportunity to check its condition and replace it if necessary.
Brisbane plumbers recommend a different approach for tankless hot water systems. Instead of draining, run water over the unit’s exterior to remove debris. This practice limits the chance of debris solidifying, which could potentially damage the unit’s material or affect its performance.
It’s important to note that while draining your hot water system is a crucial maintenance task, it’s not the only one. Regular checks of the pressure relief valve, inspection of electrical connections for electric systems, and monitoring for any signs of leaks or unusual noises are equally important.
Checking the Pressure Valve
Pressure relief valves are critical safety features in your hot water system. They are designed to prevent excessive pressure build-up that could lead to dangerous situations. Homeowners or professional Brisbane plumbers must check these valves periodically as part of regular hot water system maintenance. The temperature pressure relief valve can freeze or become less responsive over time, potentially compromising your system’s safety.
Use Your Dishwasher
Brisbane plumbers frequently point out that dishwashers are far more water-efficient compared to washing dishes by hand. Handwashing, in fact, uses up to three times more water than a dishwasher. Modern dishwashers, particularly those with a 4.5-star water rating, use only 15 litres per cycle. By contrast, filling a sink with soapy water or letting the tap run while handwashing uses far more precious drinking water. A dishwasher also saves time and effort, making it a smart choice for water conservation and efficiency.
However, it is important to make sure your dishwasher is used efficiently. Only run the dishwasher when it has a full load, as this reduces the number of times you need to use it, cutting down on both water and energy consumption. Make sure to stack your dishwasher effectively to maximise space and ensure that all items are properly cleaned. By following these simple practices, you can save money on water bills and significantly reduce your household’s water usage.
Dishwashers can be affected by excessive pressure buildup if the pressure relief valve is faulty. Regularly checking the valve can prevent costly repairs and ensure proper functioning.
Fit Your Faucets With Aerators
Aerators are one of the most cost-effective ways to save water. Brisbane plumbers often recommend aerators because they reduce water usage without compromising the flow rate. An aerator works by mixing air into the water flow, splitting it into smaller streams. This reduces the volume of water coming through the faucet while maintaining sufficient pressure for everyday tasks.
Aerators are inexpensive and easy to install, making them an ideal solution for anyone looking to conserve water at home. Fitting aerators onto your taps helps you cut back on the amount of drinking water used without even realising it. These devices are particularly effective when used in conjunction with water efficient shower heads, which reduce water flow without affecting your shower experience. This combination can have a significant impact on your overall water usage and help lower your water bills.
Using aerators can also help prevent too much pressure, which could lead to unnecessary strain on plumbing systems, reducing the likelihood of leaks and wear.
Use Single-Lever Mixer Taps
Single-lever mixer taps are designed to provide better control over water temperature, thus reducing wastage. With traditional two-tap systems, it often takes a while to get the right balance between hot and cold water, which means a lot of water gets wasted during adjustment. A single-lever mixer allows you to regulate both the temperature and flow using one simple motion, making it far easier to get the desired water temperature immediately.
Brisbane plumbers usually recommend single-lever mixer taps for improved water efficiency. Though older properties may still have separate hot and cold taps, retrofitting mixer taps is a worthwhile investment to help conserve water and cut down on unnecessary wastage. Plus, this installation can also contribute to reducing water bills over time.
Installing single-lever mixer taps may require some plumbing adjustments, so it’s best to consult a hot water specialist to ensure the installation is done properly and efficiently.
Use Still Water to Clean Fruits and Vegetables
Many households use running tap water to wash fruits and vegetables, which ends up being a huge waste. Brisbane plumbers advise placing fruits and vegetables in a basin filled with water rather than letting the tap run. Using still water for cleaning is an excellent way to conserve water while effectively washing your produce.
After rinsing your fruits and vegetables, the rinse water can be repurposed for watering plants in your garden. This simple change saves both drinking water and helps to water plants in an eco-friendly manner. Every drop counts, and reusing water this way can have a significant impact on overall water conservation efforts.
Using a plugged sink instead of running water helps to avoid excessive pressure on your plumbing system, which can contribute to long-term wear and potential leaks.
Ensure You Have No Leaks
A dripping tap or a leaking pipe may not seem like a big issue, but over time it can lead to significant water wastage. Brisbane plumbers estimate that a dripping tap can waste up to 9,000 litres of water each year—that’s equivalent to an individual’s monthly water usage. The best way to prevent this wastage is to have an expert inspect and fix leaks in your home.
You can also monitor your water meter to detect possible leaks. If you notice the meter reading going up when no water is being used, it’s likely that there is a hidden leak somewhere in your home. Addressing these water leaks as soon as possible will not only conserve water but also help lower your water bills.
Repairing leaks promptly is an important step towards a more water-efficient household. If you notice any signs of water leaks—whether a dripping tap or damp spots on walls or floors—it is crucial to fix leaks immediately to avoid unnecessary water wastage. Regular maintenance checks of your faucets, pipes, and appliances can prevent leaks before they escalate into larger problems.
If you find leaks, it’s recommended to contact a hot water specialist to repair leaks efficiently and ensure your plumbing system is in optimal condition.
Choose Water-Efficient Washing Machines and Shower Heads
Washing machines are another area where significant water savings can be made. Opting for a water-efficient washing machine that is designed to use minimal water can greatly reduce the household’s water consumption. Always wash with a full load to maximise efficiency and ensure that you’re not using more water than necessary.
In the bathroom, installing a water-efficient shower head can make a big difference. Modern shower heads are designed to limit the flow rate while still providing a comfortable showering experience. Additionally, using a shower timer can help you limit your showers to 4-5 minutes, saving both water and energy. This simple habit, combined with efficient fixtures, can cut down your water usage considerably.
Older hot water systems are particularly prone to excess pressure if efficient fixtures are not used. Ensuring that your shower heads and washing machines are water-efficient can prevent unnecessary wear on older systems.
Reuse Rinse Water
When washing dishes by hand, it is recommended to fill one sink with soapy water and another with clean water for rinsing. Instead of letting the rinse water go down the drain, consider reusing it for other tasks around the house. Rinse water can be used for pre-soaking laundry, flushing toilets, or even watering plants in your garden. By adopting this practice, you not only conserve water but also get double use out of the same amount of water, ultimately helping to reduce your water bills.
If you are unsure about how to implement effective water-saving measures or need advice about reusing water safely, consulting hot water specialists can provide you with practical, expert advice.
Water Plants During Cooler Hours
Watering plants in the early morning or late evening is an effective way to minimise water evaporation. Brisbane plumbers often recommend watering during these cooler periods to ensure that your plants receive maximum hydration without wasting water. Consider using a watering can rather than a hose to ensure that you’re using a measured amount of water and avoid excessive wastage.
Using greywater, such as leftover water from washing machines or dishwashing, is another way to water plants while conserving water. As long as the water does not contain harmful chemicals or excessive soap, it can be safely reused in the garden. This approach ensures that less water is wasted and that every drop is put to good use.
Using greywater and watering cans helps avoid putting excess pressure on older plumbing systems, which may struggle with large volumes of water.
Invest in a Shower Timer
Reducing the amount of time spent in the shower is one of the most effective ways to save water. A shower timer is an inexpensive tool that can help you monitor your shower duration. Keeping showers to 4 minutes or less can save thousands of litres of water annually.
Shorter showers not only conserve water but also help save on energy bills, especially if you use hot water. Less hot water used means less energy required for heating, which makes shower timers an excellent tool for both water and energy efficiency.
If your hot water system struggles to keep up, reducing shower times might not be enough. A hot water specialist can help you identify areas for improvement to ensure fantastic service and efficiency.
Install a Water-Saving Toilet
Toilets account for a large portion of indoor water usage, especially older models that use significantly more water per flush. Installing a dual-flush, water-saving toilet can greatly reduce water consumption. These toilets have two flushing options—one for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste—allowing you to use only as much water as necessary. This small change can make a significant impact on reducing your water consumption and ultimately lower your water bills.
Older toilets may create too much pressure on the plumbing system, leading to leaks. Water-saving toilets help mitigate this issue by optimising the volume of water used per flush.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to shutting down your system:
1. Locate the power source (electricity or gas) and turn it off
2. Close the cold water supply valve to prevent water from entering the tank
3. If you have a tank system, consider draining it to prevent stagnation:
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve
- Open the drain valve and let the tank empty
- Once empty, close the valve and detach the hose
4. For tankless systems, simply turning off the power and water supply is usually sufficient
Following these steps will conserve energy and protect your home from potential plumbing disasters such as flooding, leaks, or burst pipes that could occur in your absence. This is especially important for older hot water systems that may be more prone to failure.
Upon your return, remember to reverse the process:
1. Open the cold water supply
2. Open hot water taps throughout the house to release any air
3. Once water flows steadily, close the taps
4. Turn the power back on
This shutdown and restart process is an excellent opportunity to perform other maintenance tasks, such as checking the water temperature settings and inspecting for any signs of wear or corrosion. If you’re unsure about any aspect of this process, don’t hesitate to consult with professional Brisbane plumbers. They can provide guidance specific to your system and ensure everything functions correctly when you return from your trip.
Check the Hot Water Unit for Cracks and Leaks
Incorporating regular checks for cracks and leaks into your maintenance routine is crucial for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your hot water system. Conduct a thorough visual inspection around your unit every couple of months, paying close attention to any signs of moisture, corrosion, or damage. If you suspect a crack or leak, it’s advisable to contact Brisbane Plumbers immediately. Their excellent customer service and efficient service ensure that potential issues are addressed promptly, helping you avoid costly repairs.
Professional plumbers can perform a comprehensive examination, including checking less obvious leak locations and inspecting critical components such as heating elements and the TPR valve (Temperature and Pressure Relief valve). These yearly licensed plumber inspections are invaluable for maintaining your system’s health and can save you money in the long run by preventing major breakdowns.
Be alert to unusual noises from your hot water system, as these can indicate underlying problems. Additionally, monitor your water bill closely. A sudden, unexplained increase in water usage, especially when accompanied by issues like low pressure or lack of hot water, could signal a hidden leak or defect in your system.
Do You Need A Brisbane Plumber?
If you are currently experiencing issues with your Brisbane hot water system, you should consider getting professionals to handle your hot water problems. Seeking the help of a licensed Brisbane plumber will lessen the possibility of damage and lower the chance of future hot water issues.
Hot water system problems are all-day work for The Brisbane Plumbers. Hot water system installation, maintenance, and repair are the most common. If you have any problems or concerns about your hot water system, call The Brisbane Plumbers today. We are Brisbane’s leading emergency plumbers. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, any day of the year. We also have a 60-minute response time guarantee. Call now on 1300 847 086.