It is certainly not pleasant to shower or take a bath without hot water, particularly when it’s freezing outside. This is why it’s important to ensure that your home’s hot water system is functional all the time. But how exactly do you deal with a leaking hot water system? What do you need to do to have it fixed?
Identify Where The Leak Is
If you suspect that your hot water system is leaking, the first thing you need to do before you call a professional for help is to find out where the leak is coming from. Is the leak coming from the top or bottom of the hot water cylinder? Or perhaps it’s from the pressure relief valve (PRV) or pressure/temperature relief valve (PTRV)?
If the system is leaking from the PRV or PTRV, don’t worry because the leak might not be as serious as you think it is. It’s normal for both these valves to leak a small amount of water from time to time. Now when the leak is coming from the top or bottom of the hot water cylinder, that’s an entirely different story.
Switch Off The Heater
Before you call technicians and tell them, “My hot water system is leaking,” make sure to turn your heater off. If you have an electric system, find the circuit breaker and switch off the breaker for your water heater. On the other hand, if you have a natural gas water heater, flip the on/off switch.
Cut The Water Supply
Make sure to switch off the water supply, too. Look for a small black tap or lever on the pipe leading into the bottom of the unit and turn it off. If you can’t move the inlet tap, consider turning off the water supply at the mains water metre.
Seek Professional Help
Seek professional assistance as soon as possible. If you’re in the Shoalhaven, contact Shoalhaven Hot Water & Elements for your hot water system repairs. With our help, you can quickly get your hot water system up and running again.
