Your hot water system works really hard for you, 24×7, throughout the year providing warm baths, clean clothes, and sparkling dishes and pots. To make your hot water system last its expected lifetime of 15 years, perhaps beyond, and keep it running efficiently and reliably, follow this simple routine maintenance schedule:

REGULARLY INSPECT YOUR HOT WATER SYSTEM

For peace of mind, we highly recommend self-inspecting your hot water system to ensure everything is running smoothly. Pick a date in a month and check your hot water system over from top to bottom. Look closely for any dents, leaks, wear and tear or cracks. This exercise will only take five minutes of your time but will save you from problems that could escalate to bigger issues costing you money and wasting precious water.

BE CAREFUL AROUND THE HOT WATER SYSTEM

If your system is located outdoors, in your garden or backyard, be careful not to damage the pipes or tank from the mower, whipper snipper or any other garden equipment. Keep the area clear and take care when working in the area. Any damage, cracks or dents to pipes or the tank can be costly and impact your hot water system’s life expectancy.

GOING ON A VACATION? TURN YOUR HOT WATER SYSTEM OFF

If you are going on a vacation for a few weeks we recommend you turn your hot water system off. Why? If not, your hot water system will continue to heat water – using energy – even though you’re not using it. This tip will extend the life of your system as well as save your energy.

GET PROFESSIONAL ANNUAL MAINTENANCE OR INSPECTION

Much like a car, a hot water system needs timely maintenance which should only be conducted by trained, experienced and certified hot water specialists. Professional plumbers would know how to check for any warning signs and suggest ways to keep your hot water system running like new. A trained plumber would check for leaks and corrosion, inspect burner, clean or repair parts and check pressure settings to ensure optimum performance.

KEEP TEMPERATURE SETTING AT LOWER LEVELS

Most professional plumbers recommend a temperature setting on the lower side. However, the default setting in a hot water system could be much higher. By keeping the heating setting on lower setting will help reduce the chances of your water heater overheating as well as save you up to 5-10% on your energy bill.

INSULATING BLANKET FOR YOUR HOT WATER SYSTEM

Simple but effective, this tip helps reduce energy consumption by decreasing the amount of standby heat loss. This step can also extend the life of your hot water system by lowering the demand on it.

WARNING SIGNS THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG WITH YOUR HOT WATER SYSTEM

Popping, gurgling sounds from the tank
Bad odor from the tank or heated water
Water leaking from your tank
No hot water in the taps anywhere in the house or different water temperatures in different taps
Rust-colored water

If you experience these issues, the most likely cause is a faulty part or faulty installation. Call Horncastle Plumbing for any repair or maintenance services you may need. We work around the clock and can be at your doorstep in no time. With many years of Adelaide hot water replacement experience, we have helped thousands of households install new hot water systems as well as service or repair existing ones. Horncastle Plumbing crew are Adelaide hot water specialists and provided a fast, professional and affordable hot water and plumbing service you can depend on.