With the Gas Hot Water System Maintenance Guide Australia you have a practical way of ensuring your home’s hot water is as reliable and safe as it should be. There is value in regular servicing of a gas system; it will put you on to any worn parts, corrosion or a blocked flue and let you know of gas leaks or weak water pressure before what is a small fault has you paying for an expensive cold shower.
My name is Clara Whitmore and I do not care for maintenance advice that is only good for a pretty diagram. I want to see what works in an actual home. So this guide will tell you what needs checking and when to call in a licensed gasfitter for some professional gas hot water repair advice, be it for a continuous flow set up in a busy suburb or an old storage unit out in regional Victoria.
The Safety Fundamentals of Gas Hot Water
A gas appliance requires fuel, ventilation, ignition and a means of safely discharging exhaust. Compromise any of them and the heater can be rendered unsafe or at best inefficient. One does not want to be applying a “she’ll be right” approach or a butter knife to a gas water heater.
Any of the following are cause for concern to an Australian homeowner: odd odours, yellowing of the flame, a flue in poor repair or the system shutting down time and again. You can put aside any guesswork and refer to your state or territory regulator for safety information on gas appliances, Energy Safe Victoria being one such source.
What Kind of Heater Do You Have?
An insulated tank is where a gas storage system does its heating. Expect to find a burner, thermostat, temperature pressure relief valve and perhaps an expansion control valve. Then there is the instantaneous or continuous flow type which only puts on the heat when an appliance or tap demands it.
Consequently the maintenance is not the same. With a storage system you must look after the tank, the sediment and sacrificial anode rods. A continuous flow calls for clear air intakes, a flue without obstruction and an ignition you can rely on.
Servicing Intervals
It is sensible to have an older or hard worked system serviced once a year if you notice a drop in performance, but two years between professional gas hot water servicing is enough for most homes in Australia. The manufacturer will have their own recommendations based on the model and warranty so those instructions should be your first port of call.
Marking a service for every 24 months on the calendar is preferable to finding the system has given up on a Sunday night and having to deal with a plumber who is rather exuberant in his invoicing.
When to be More Diligent
If the household demand is high or the heater has to contend with coastal salt, flooding, bush dust and the like, more frequent checks are in order. This applies to commercial and rental premises as well as any home with vulnerable residents.
Put the service report in with the manual. Note down the date, the model, what was replaced and any faults. It makes for a handy record of the system’s life and comes in useful for any talk of warranties.
Make Sure of Local Rules
Only a properly licensed person should be doing gas work. As the licensing arrangements are not the same across the states and territories of Australia, go to your building authority or local regulator to vet credentials. In Queensland one might look to the Building and Construction Commission for answers on contractor matters.
Do not make the mistake of equating a handyman with a gas hot water service. A licensed gasfitter is the one with the training to get at the burners, combustion and gas connections.
Inclusions of a Professional Service
You will not find a technician merely dusting off the cabinet. He will appraise the whole of the appliance from the water flow and controls to the gas supply and exhaust. And he will do it by the book; a Thermann for instance is to be serviced in accordance with the maker’s instructions, not some generic list taken from another brand.
Combustion and the Gas
The gasfitter will be over the burner assembly, the pilot light and the ignition to see how the flame is behaving. Most gas appliances should be giving a steady blue flame; anything unstable or of a yellow hue warrants a closer look for contamination or an issue with the air supply. He may also put equipment to use to measure carbon monoxide risk and the like. Leave the adjusting of burner pressure or changing of gas types well alone.
Looking at the Flue and Ventilation
For the combustion products to be put out in a safe manner the flue has to be sound. The technician will be on the lookout for any blockage, unsuitable termination, loose joint or sign of damage. Air intakes and ventilation openings are to be inspected as well.
Ventilation should not be covered by a shed, boxes or pot plants; even an obstruction that is neat in appearance can impede the combustion air. Where dust, smoke or storms are a factor, a look at the external flue after any hard weather is in order, though one should put off making repairs and have a professional do it.
Water And Safety Controls
A service performed by a professional will cover water pressure and temperature controls, safety and expansion valves (where they are to be found) as well as the TPR valve. Under abnormal conditions this valve will let off excess temperature or pressure so it cannot be left to discharge often, nor can it be capped or blocked.
There is a sacrificial anode rod in some storage tanks for corrosion protection. Depending on the site and what the manufacturer says, it may have to be replaced from time to time. But if the tank has rusted through, putting in a new anode is of no use.
Maintenance the Homeowner Can Do
There are visual checks a homeowner can make without having to open up the gas appliance or take covers off. They are a way of picking up on changes early and providing the technician with something to go on.
The mistake most make is to think of the heater as a box unto itself. In fact it is tied to your gas, water, electricity, drainage and ventilation, so a problem in one of those systems will be felt in the performance of the other.
The Surrounding Area
- Make sure there is nothing stored near the heater, be it laundry, chemicals, cardboard or garden gear.
- You should be on the lookout for staining on pipework, damp earth, puddles of water, rust or compromised insulation.
- See that the flue outlets and outside air intakes are free of obstructions.
- Put an ear to it for any hissing, banging or clicking from the burner that seems out of the ordinary.
When you book a service, access is important. The technician must be able to get to the isolation valves and controls. Unlock the gates, put the pets away and have a clear path to the appliance. Should the unit be sequestered in a locked cupboard or hemmed in by belongings, expect the job to run over or be put back.
Flame And Operation
Only watch the pilot light or burner window in the manner the manufacturer prescribes, do not be tempted to remove panels for a better view. If the flame is a different colour or the unit is shutting down with some frequency, have a professional come and have a look.
In the event of a gas odour, switch the appliance off provided it is safe, then get out of the area and ring the gas emergency number or a licensed professional. Steer clear of electrical switches and flames. Anyone who is unwell or dizzy should be put in fresh air and given urgent help.
Looking After Your Storage Or Continuous Flow System
With a gas storage hot water system the maintenance is about the tank, sediment and valves. A continuous flow system demands more attention to the heat exchanger, ignition, filters and flow sensors. Yet both require the same safety checks for a gas appliance. Combustion hazards are indifferent to whether the water is instant or held in a tank, whatever the label on the front might say.
Storage Tank
Examine the outside of the tank for bulging or rust and any water at the base. While a small drip from a valve warrants prompt action, water coming from the tank body is a sign of serious failure.
Sediment flushing is of some value in places with mineral water if the manufacturer is in favour of it, but do it wrong on a hot, pressurised system and you risk damage or burns. When in doubt let a plumber or licensed gasfitter handle it.
Continuous Flow
Filters on the outside are to be cleaned only as the manufacturer allows and in accordance with the isolation procedure. Blocked filters, scale or a sensor fault will show up as error codes, poor flow or the temperature running up and down.
Do not just keep hitting the reset button. It may put right a temporary thing but if the system keeps shutting down there is a fault to be diagnosed.
Signs of Trouble
Often a gas hot water system ceasing to work is the end result of something that was brewing weeks before. An early response will stave off the need for an emergency replacement.
People are sometimes taken aback to find that “no hot water” is not invariably a failed burner. You can have the same trouble from a tripped control, an electrical issue or a bad thermostat.
Faults to be aware of
- Water that is lukewarm or varies in temperature, or none at all.
- An electronic ignition that will not hold or a pilot light that goes out.
- Any of the following should be cause for concern: a yellow flame, soot or odd odours, a burner that is noisier than it should be.
- The same goes for water leaks, rust, damp insulation, puddles and pressure-valve discharge.
- Or perhaps you are seeing fault codes, uncharacteristic gas consumption, slow recovery or shutdowns that keep happening.
In such cases, put any thought of making your own repairs to the flues, safety valves, gas connections or burners out of your mind. From a safe vantage point, photograph what you can see of the display or leak and make a note of the time of the fault, then get in touch with a licensed gasfitter.
Maintenance Checklist For Homeowners
Consider this checklist a handy way to stay on top of things in between professional visits. It does not replace the need for a proper inspection, combustion test or repair by a licence holder.
| Timing | Homeowner Action | Professional Action |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Check for unusual sounds, blocked vents, rust, puddles and leaks. | Put in a call for help if there is any change. |
| Before winter | Make sure you have access, put down the model number and review what the manufacturer says. | Have the system serviced if it is overdue or has been unreliable. |
| Every 12 to 24 months | See what the warranty and service record dictate. | Carry out the annual or two-year servicing as recommended. |
| After a storm or flood | Leave any equipment with visible damage alone. | A safety assessment is in order before putting it back into use. |
| When symptoms present themselves | Record them and discontinue use of the unit if it is not safe. | Have the controls (gas, water, electrical and safety) and the flue diagnosed. |
Suppose you have a day to put right a suspected fault; make safety the priority. See if there is a smell of gas, anything amiss with the flame, water in proximity to electrical parts or an obstruction to ventilation. Do not waste the afternoon trawling the internet for a cheap part. Make the area easy to get at and book someone who is qualified.
When To Put In A New System
You can get more life out of an appliance with maintenance but you will not undo a bad storage tank, old safety components or advanced corrosion. If the energy bill is up, parts are hard to come by, the appliance does not comply with today’s installation standards or one is called upon to do too many repairs, replacement is the wiser course.
There is no set lifespan for a gas hot water system. One that has been put in well can go on for years, though much depends on the quality of the work, the weather it is exposed to, how it is used and maintained and the water. Do not be guided by the age on the label, have a repair-versus-replace evaluation done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of maintenance is required of a gas water heater?
An examination of the vicinity for any leaks, rust, damaged flues or blocked ventilation is a start. The manufacturer instructions will tell a licensed gasfitter what to look for when he inspects the flue, water controls, safety valves, ignition, gas connections and the like.
Is it necessary to service a gas hot water system?
It is. A professional will spot trouble with the flue, pressure, combustion or corrosion. Adhere to the schedule laid down by the maker, be it an annual or two-yearly service, as the household and the appliance may warrant.
What are the usual problems with a gas hot water heater?
One might encounter a failing thermostat, sediment or scale, a restricted flow of water, issues with the pilot light or ignition and safety controls on the way out. The symptom can be the same for all of them, so it is better to diagnose than to be replacing parts at random.
How long will a gas hot water system last?
That is a matter of usage, maintenance, the model and how it was installed. Let a professional look over the tank, the valves and the burner and whether parts are to be had before coming to a view on repair or otherwise.
Can I do the servicing?
For visual checks and to clear the area, yes. But leave the gas side of things, the burners, flues and safety controls to a person with a licence. Bypassing a safety device or tampering with gas connections is not to be done.
Hot Water Safety
Maintaining a good gas hot water system is largely a case of being observant of minor changes, leaving the ventilation unobstructed and having it properly serviced before it turns into an emergency. Take repeated shutdowns, a yellow flame or any leak or gas smell in stride and act on it. Record your inspections and read the manual. It is a sensible and safer way to run things and easier on the budget. You will thank yourself for the organisation later on rather than have to take a cold shower while the nearest plumber has his hands full and the weather is as flat as a pancake.