What to Do When Your Gas Hot Water System Breaks Down

Ice baths are great. Ice showers, not so much. A busted gas hot water system is one of those household emergencies that makes you realise just how much you take hot water for granted. If you’ve panicked and are on page five of YouTube DIY repair videos and it isn't helping, here’s what you should do when your gas hot water system calls it quits.

Gas systems aren't playing around

Gas hot water systems are a little more complicated than your average household appliance. It is equipment that combines flammable gas, high temperatures, and water pressure all in one package. It sounds pretty intense but is safe as long as it is cared for the right way.

The Australian government doesn't mess around regarding gas safety, and for good reason. They've made it clear that DIY gas fitting work is a no-go zone for regular homeowners. This can lead to potential fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning, everything we'd like you to avoid.

What can you actually check yourself?

You are not completely helpless when your hot water disappears. There are a few basic things you can safely check before calling in your friendly local tradies, but you need to be careful and smart about them:

• If you smell gas at any point, stop everything. Turn off the gas supply, get some fresh air flowing, and call a professional immediately.

• Check the pilot light (if you've got an older system). Sometimes, these little flames just go out, and relighting them might solve your problem. Your hot water system should have specific instructions somewhere on the unit. Generally, you'll need to turn the gas control to "pilot," hold it down, and use the igniter button or a long lighter to get things going again. Just make sure you've turned off the gas supply first and let any residual gas clear out.

• Have a look at your gas supply valve, which should be parallel to the gas line when it's open. If it's sitting perpendicular, someone might have turned it off.

• Try adjusting your thermostat if the water's too hot or not hot enough. Most systems have a thermostat near the bottom of the tank that you can adjust with a screwdriver. Around 49°C is usually the sweet spot for instantaneous systems, storage systems will sit at around 60°C for most households.
  

When to call the professionals

Knowing when to stop trying to fix it yourself is just as important as knowing what you can check. If your pilot light won't stay lit after a couple of attempts, or if you're dealing with significant leaks, strange smells that don't go away, or noises that persist even after flushing, it's time to call in a professional.

The same goes if you feel slightly uncomfortable or uncertain about any step. There's no shame in admitting something's beyond your skill level, especially when we're talking about your family's safety.

Why professional help is worth every cent

Nobody wants to shell out cash for a repair bill when money's tight. But cutting corners with gas hot water systems can cost you way more financially and in terms of safety in the long run.

Licensed gas fitters fix the obvious problem while diagnosing what's really going on. That weird noise might seem like a minor annoyance, but it could be pointing to a bigger issue that'll leave you without hot water again in a few weeks if it's not properly addressed.

Professional maintenance can also extend your hot water system's life from the typical 8-12 years to well over 20 years. When you factor in the energy savings from a properly maintained system and the cost of avoiding a premature replacement, professional service is a pretty smart investment.

Call the team at Good Maintenance today

Professionals like the team at Good Maintenance have a team of fully employed, registered, and experienced plumbers who have spent years in training to become a gasfitter and get certified in Type A servicing to repair and maintain gas systems.

We know the Australian safety standards inside and out and have the right tools for the job. We can spot potential problems before they turn into disasters, and our work comes with warranties and compliance certificates that keep your insurance valid while giving you peace of mind. Let’s get those hot showers back and make sure you have a system you can rely on today.