Hot Water System Repairs and Replacements in Hervey Bay and Maryborough

Clear answers on what's gone wrong with your hot water system, and an honest view on whether it's worth repairing.

Electric, Heat Pump, Solar and Gas

Hot Water Not Working? We’ll Find Out Why

If your hot water has stopped working, runs out quickly or has started leaking, Guaranteed Plumbing can diagnose the problem and repair or replace your system across Hervey Bay, Maryborough and the wider Fraser Coast. We look after electric storage, heat pump, solar and gas hot water systems. We work out what has actually failed before we recommend anything, and we explain it clearly so you know whether you’re looking at a small repair or a system that’s reached the end of its life.

If your system needs replacing and we can’t fit a new one straight away, we can connect a temporary hot water unit to keep you going in the meantime.

Which Hot Water Systems Can Be Repaired?

How repairable a system is depends on the type:

Electric storage: The simplest and most common system. Parts such as the anode, valves, element and thermostat can be replaced, but once the tank itself starts leaking it can't be repaired, and the system needs replacing.
Heat pump: These have more components that can fail, and repairs can be expensive. Many of our customers choose to replace a failed heat pump with a standard electric system. If you have solar panels, a timer can run the new system during the day so it heats the water using the power your panels generate.
Solar: Solar systems have components that can fail and can usually be repaired. Most also have a booster switch for cloudy weather (see the checks below).
Gas: Gas systems have components that can fail and be repaired. For more complex gas faults, we work alongside a specialist gas technician.

What’s Usually Behind a Hot Water Problem

Most hot water systems give some warning before they fail: intermittent drops in temperature, a drop in flow, or water appearing around the base of the unit. Sometimes there’s no warning at all, and you wake up to no hot water. These are the faults we deal with most often:

Worn sacrificial anode: Most storage hot water systems have an anode, a metal rod that slowly corrodes so the steel tank doesn't. It needs replacing every three to five years, but most people don't know it's there. A worn-out anode is behind around 90% of the tanks we see rust out and fail.
Tempering valve problems: This valve controls the temperature of the water leaving the system. When it fails, the water is often constantly lukewarm, or the hot water coming out of your taps is slow.
Pressure limiting valve problems: This valve sits either on the hot water system or at the water meter. When it fails, the pressure can rise and fall, but more often it's reduced.
Element or thermostat faults: The element heats the water, and the thermostat tells it when to switch on and off. If water flows from your hot tap but doesn't heat up, one of these is usually the cause.
Reduced flow or temperature changes: Often an early sign that a component inside the system needs attention, rather than a reason to replace the whole unit.
Water around the base of the unit: Have it looked at. It can be as simple as a leaking fitting, but if the water is coming from the tank itself, the system usually needs replacing.
No hot water at all: The cause depends on the type of system. The checks below can help narrow it down.

Stopping a Leak Until We Can Get There

If your tank is leaking from one spot, you can usually stop it temporarily. Find the valve on the water pipe where it connects to the bottom of the tank and turn it off. That stops water pushing into the tank, which stops the leak, and the system will still heat the water already inside. When you need hot water, turn the valve back on, then turn it off again when you’re done. It will leak while the valve is open, so this is only a stopgap, but it can get you through a weekend without paying after-hours rates. If the tank is leaking in more than one place, this won’t help, so give us a call.

Checks You Can Do Before You Call

When you call us about a hot water problem, we’ll ask a few questions and usually ask for a photo of your system. It helps us work out what’s wrong before we arrive, and sometimes it saves you a call-out altogether. You can run through the same checks yourself:

Look for water: Check around the tank, on the ground and along the pipes. If you find water, try to see where it's coming from. A leaking pipe or fitting is usually a simple repair. Water coming from where a fitting screws into the tank, from a seam in the casing or from underneath the tank usually means the system needs replacing.
Turn on a hot tap: Open the hot tap at any sink or shower and watch the flow. It doesn't matter whether the water is hot or cold. No flow points to a valve problem. Good flow with no leak usually means an electrical fault, such as the element or thermostat.
Check your meter box: Occasionally a problem on Ergon's side trips the breaker or relay that controls your hot water. The hot water you use isn't being reheated, so you run out.
Solar systems, check the booster switch: Most solar systems have a booster switch, often an unlabelled switch in the kitchen or pantry. Ask an electrician to confirm what it is. After a few overcast days the panels can't heat the water, so switch the booster on to heat it with electricity.
Gas systems, check your gas bottles: Pour boiling water down the side of the cylinder. Because the gas inside is liquefied and very cold, condensation forms a clear line on the outside that shows how much gas is left.
Gas systems, check for leaks: Mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the exposed gas fittings you can see. Bubbles mean a leak. Never disconnect or adjust gas fittings yourself, and call us if you find one.

Repair or Replace?

It depends on the history of the system. If you’ve been in the house for 10 to 15 years, the system has never been serviced and the anode has never been replaced, a leaking tank or a system with no hot water is usually due for replacement. A system that’s been maintained is often worth repairing. We ask questions and diagnose first, so you don’t pay for big work you don’t need.

Maintenance makes the biggest difference:

How a system looks on the outside says little about its condition inside: a tired-looking system can be in perfect condition if its anode has been replaced on schedule.

For a closer look at the decision, read our guide to repairing or replacing a hot water system on the Fraser Coast.

Older Copper Hot Water Systems

Many older Fraser Coast homes have a copper hot water system made by Saxon. These are often written off as failed, but in many cases they only need topping up.

They heat water in a tank, and a copper coil runs through it. The water you use flows through the coil and picks up the heat. Over time, water evaporates from the tank, so less of the coil sits in hot water and you seem to run out of hot water quickly.

Topping the tank up using the lever on the side of the system can bring it back to full performance.

Hot Water Systems and the Fraser Coast

Anode type: Water quality varies from region to region, and it affects which anode a system needs. In Hervey Bay, magnesium anodes are used to suit the local water, while Bundaberg, for example, uses aluminium anodes. Whatever the type, the anode needs checking every three to five years.
Salt air: Coastal salt air can make the outside of a system and its fittings look worn, but it's rarely the reason a system fails.
Flexible hoses: We don't check flexible hoses as part of a hot water repair, but we do check them as part of our Home Health Check, which we offer to new clients and to clients we haven't visited for a while.

Hot Water Systems and Property Purchases

Buying a home? The hot water system is one of the most expensive items that catches buyers out. Depending on the system, a replacement can cost between $2,500 and $8,000.

Our pre-purchase plumbing inspection includes the hot water system:

Common Questions About Hot Water Systems

What is a sacrificial anode and why does it matter?

It’s a metal rod inside a storage hot water system that slowly corrodes so the steel tank doesn’t. In other words, it wears out so the tank doesn’t have to. It needs replacing every three to five years. A worn anode is behind around 90% of the tanks we see rust out, and replacing it costs a few hundred dollars compared with a few thousand for a new system.

My hot water is lukewarm or slow. What's causing that?

Often it’s the tempering valve, which controls the temperature of the water leaving your system. When it fails, the water tends to stay lukewarm or the flow from your hot taps slows down. A faulty pressure limiting valve can cause similar symptoms, so we check both.

Why has my water pressure dropped?

There are lots of possible causes: a faulty pressure limiting valve, a blocked or kinked pipe, corroded pipework or a failing valve. Finding the cause is a process of elimination, and we’ll work through it with you.

Is water around the base of my hot water system serious?

It can be. Check where the water is coming from. If it’s a pipe or a fitting, it’s usually an easy repair. If it’s coming from where a fitting enters the tank, from a seam, or from under the tank where you can’t see, the system will usually need replacing. Either way, have it looked at.

How much does it cost to repair a hot water system?

It depends on what’s wrong. Replacing an anode costs a few hundred dollars, while a failed tank means a new system, which ranges from about $2,500 to $8,000 depending on the type. We diagnose first and explain your options before any work starts, and all pricing, including any call-out fee, is given up front before work begins. Call us on 1300 937 477 and we’ll talk through your situation.

How long does a hot water system last?

With proper maintenance, 15 to 20 years. Most systems come with a five or seven-year warranty on the tank, and replacing the anode every three to five years is the biggest factor in how long yours will last.

Can I get hot water while I wait for a replacement?

Yes. If we can’t replace your system straight away, we can connect a temporary hot water unit so you’re not without hot water in the meantime.

My solar hot water has gone cold after a few cloudy days. Is it broken?

Probably not. Solar systems can’t heat water without sun. Most have a booster switch, often an unlabelled switch in the kitchen or pantry, that heats the water with electricity. If you’re not sure which switch it is, ask an electrician to confirm.

Hot water not working in Hervey Bay or Maryborough? Call Guaranteed Plumbing on 1300 937 477 or book online, and we’ll get to the bottom of it.

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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Heath and the boys at Guaranteed Plumbing are simply the best!

Quick, efficient and knowledgeable and they actually respond when you call (a sometimes rare quality these days!)

The got the job(s) done without any fuss, had a laugh along the way, and most importantly…they understood that some of us like our water at approximately the temperate of Hades 😆🔥

Quality work, quick and easy. Highly recommend.
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a PLEASANT experience!  Thank you Guaranteed Plumbing for the ONLY return call after I made 8 contact calls to plumbers in Hervey Bay. A very professionally run service with text reminders of booking date and time and also a quote up front ! Heath was happy to go through the quote with me and Bryce the professional that turned up to replace my toilet cistern was professional, prompt, (even came early at my request) and left the site pristine clean. He even assisted me with contact details for another roof plumber to assist with another project. Well done to GP... you are now my GO TO for all plumbing requirements!
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been using the services of Heath and his team at Guaranteed Plumbing since 2017 and I have always been impressed with the standard of their work. Heath has always ensured that I'm happy with the completed work, and he and his team have always shown a wonderful level of kindness and respect. Guaranteed Plumbing are truly professional, and I would recommend them to anyone in our area who is seeking the services of reliable and competent plumbers.
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was absolutely blown away by our experience with Guaranteed Plumbing. From the quick booking to confirming the exact arrival time and actually showing up as promised - it was a refreshing change from many trades we’ve dealt with over the years.

Heath was professional throughout and his persistence in diagnosing the issue saved us thousands of dollars and a lot of unnecessary work that another plumber had recommended.

So glad we found him. Highly recommend.
  
 
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   Luke Sharp 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. On our pre purchase building inspection, moisture was detected in one of the en-suite walls.
Called Heath, got a detailed explanation of what he can do and was able to have it done within the time frame I required. Very in depth report was given with lots of photos and video. Answered all my questions with honest answers and within his field of expertise. Will be the first plumber I call when the need arises.
  
 
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   Carol Stredwick 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Heath is an excellent plumber and solved our corroding pipe problem under kitchen sink with quick and confident efficiency. His explanations and solving of problems were easy to understand and recommendations very helpful. We certainly recommend Guaranteed Plumbing to anyone needing quick and sensible and reasonably priced plumbing.
  
 
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   Lou 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Heath and Ben were on-site investigating a possible blocked drain. I mentioned an unrelated issue  with a toilet. After completing the drain work, Heath looked at the toilet, explained what the issue was and Ben installed the replacement part on the same day.  I highly recommend Guaranteed Plumbing Solutions and will use them again - thank you Heath and Ben.
  
 
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   Brianna T 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had Heath come out for some plumbing works at my property and was absolutely blown away. His knowledge, care & quality work is so evident and I couldn't have been more impressed! Reasonable prices, seamless communication & expert trade knowledge! I will always recommend GPS to all my family & friends!

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