Common causes of gas water heater failure
Gas water heaters are crucial for supplying hot water to residential and commercial properties. Several prevalent issues can lead to their failure:
- Faulty gas valves failing to properly regulate gas flow
- Broken thermocouples unable to sense the pilot light
- Corroded heat exchangers leading to leaks
- Sediment buildup reducing efficiency
- Pilot light problems where the ignition fails
- Poor ventilation in homes leading to overheating
- General wear and tear over time
The experienced plumbers at Menai Plumbing often troubleshoot these common gas water heater issues in the Menai, Sydney area. We specialise in precisely diagnosing water system issues and executing necessary repairs or replacements to restore your hot water service.
Insufficient or fluctuating hot water
Several common reasons why a gas water heater produces no hot water, or only cold water, include:
- The thermostat could be faulty, failing to properly regulate water temperature when water fails to reach the desired heat
- Inconsistent gas flow from gas line or valve complications can affect water pressure.
- Sediment buildup in the tank reduces the efficiency of heated water over time
- The water temperature might shift to being too hot or too cold, affecting your hot water’s optimal functioning if the water heater is nearing the end of its useful lifespan
Before calling a professional, you can check your system by:
- Checking the pilot light to ensure it’s lit and the burner ignites, akin to checking power in electrical appliances
- Inspecting your gas line and valves for leaks
- Draining the tank to remove sediment and prevent water quality issues
- Adjusting your water tap thermostat set temperature slightly higher
If you’re still without hot water after these measures, contact Menai Plumbing for an assessment and necessary repairs or replacement.
Pilot light and burner issues
Heater problems can manifest as common pilot light and burner issues that cause a gas water heater to fail:
- A malfunctioning thermocouple, failing to detect an extinguished pilot light and shut off the gas, can be costly
- An issue with the gas valve not providing adequate fuel to keep the pilot light ignited
- Burner ports getting blocked by sediment buildup over time
- The ignition not sparking properly to relight the pilot
Homeowners can usually safely inspect their hot water heater components and relight the pilot light if necessary. Key steps include:
- Ensure the gas supply to the water heater is on to keep the heater pilot light functioning
- Pressing the ignitor button while holding a flame to the pilot light
- Holding down the button for a few minutes to ensure the pilot light remains operational
- Releasing and ensuring the pilot stays ignited
- Ensuring that the main burner ignites when you turn hot water on at your tap
If you continue to experience issues with the pilot or burner, Menai Plumbing can assess your gas system and reinstate your hot water supply.
Water heater leaks and corrosion
There are a few key signs water heater leaks and corrosion to watch out for:
- A noticeable drop in water levels from the tank, valves, or fittings
- Rust-coloured water emerging from your hot water faucet
- An overall reduction in water heater performance and hot water capacity over time
Corrosion leading to heater malfunction is common when you’re without hot water, as tanks or pipes may leak after years of use and mineral accumulation. With time, corrosion of the anode rod may cause your water heater to fail, resulting in rusty water.
If you notice leaks towards the top of the tank, this generally indicates an issue with the inlet/outlet valves or fittings.
Sediment buildup
Over many years of operation, sediment can gradually build up at the bottom of the water heater tank, affecting the relief valve. Buildup of sediment can impede heat transfer within the tank, a common issue. An excessive sediment layer reduces the efficiency of the water heater because it takes too long to heat water.
Signs that sediment buildup is affecting your gas water heater include:
- Less water capacity
- Higher energy bills
- Banging noises from the tank known as water hammer
- The water heater may start failing prematurely
Prevent sediment buildup by installing a whole house water sediment filter on the main water supply line, benefiting all outlets. This filters out minerals and extends the life of your water heaters and other water-using appliances.
To remove existing sediment accumulation, have a plumber access the drain valve and flush your tank. Menai Plumbing’s proficient team provides this service, so don’t hesitate to contact us to maximise your water system’s efficiency and lifespan.
Gas leaks and emergency protocols
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous, so it is critical to act quickly if you detect signs of a potential leak. The most common symptoms include:
- A 'rotten egg’ smell indicative of a foul odor signalling gas issues
- Unusually high gas bills
- Dirt or dust blowing from gas appliances
- Flames coming from appliances unexpectedly
- Difficulty lighting appliances
- Excess moisture on walls or windows
Should you notice these signs, immediately leave the area, shut off the gas, and contact the gas company, to prevent being left without hot water. Do not turn any electrical devices or appliances on or off, as a spark could ignite the gas. Furthermore, it’s crucial to contact qualified gas fitters such as Menai Plumbing for emergency assistance.
Our technicians are fully licensed and trained to handle your water tank and potential gas leak situations. We can:
- Pinpoint the exact location of the leak using advanced detection methods
- Isolate and shut off only the affected gas lines
- Repair or replace damaged pipes or joints
- Restore safe gas connections once the leak is fixed
In the Sydney Menai region, you can rely on our 24/7 emergency plumbing services to rapidly respond and make the situation safe if you ever detect signs of a dangerous gas leak. We know how critically important, and potentially life-saving, these rapid response interventions can be.
Maintenance tips to prolong lifespan
Regular maintenance can significantly prolong your tankless water heater’s life compared to traditional tank models. Our expert plumbers provide key maintenance insights for what to do with your gas electric water system:
- Annually drain your heater tank to remove mineral sediment that can accumulate, affecting the heating element. Homeowners often question how sediment buildup diminishes heating efficiency.
- Inspect the anode rod every 2-3 years and replace if corroded to prevent water damage; it’s one of the key heating elements ensuring water heats efficiently. The anode rod protects the tank from corrosion.
- Examine pipe fittings, valves, and connections for any signs of leaking water and make the necessary adjustments or replacements.
- Clean the burner/pilot assembly, thermocouple, and flame arrestor when doing other annual checks to remove dust/debris.
- Flush out the heat exchanger coils on your electric water heater annually for maximum efficiency.
- Test the TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valve to ensure it is still functioning properly.
- Verify that gas supply lines and water lines have no kinks that could impede water flow.
Your plumber at Menai Plumbing can handle all aspects of your gas water heater maintenance, including a check power supply and circuit breaker if needed. Our preventative care and attention to minor issues can extend the operating life significantly. Contact us anytime for repairs or to inquire about maintenance service packages.
When professional help is needed
While you can attempt basic troubleshooting for your gas hot water system, there are critical situations that necessitate professional assistance from licenced plumbers such as Menai Plumbing:
- If you cannot relight the pilot light or the heater still isn’t working after several attempts, the underlying problem may be complex and require professional intervention
- For corrosion leaks, especially rust-coloured water from taps, the water heater too degraded for DIY work and needs replacement
- Gas leaks are extremely hazardous and require qualified technicians to detect the source and make the area safe again
- When hot water issues persist despite homeowner efforts to service valves, sediment, anode rods etc. an expert evaluation is needed
- If you’re asking 'do I need to consider replacing my gas water heater after 10-15 years?', it’s generally wise to get a professional opinion about replacement or servicing needs
Our team at Menai Plumbing has the advanced diagnostics tools and expertise to accurately inspect your entire system and restore continuous flow of hot water, resolving your water heater problems through repairs or full replacements when age and corrosion take hold. With professional preventative maintenance, we can also extend the lifespan significantly.
For specialised hot water and gas servicing in the Menai, Sydney area, email [email protected] or call 1300 349 338 to consult with our team and schedule an appointment.
Ensuring reliable hot water system operation
Having a reliably operating gas hot water system is essential for any home or business. Based on the common gas water heater failure points discussed, there are a few key ways you can help ensure ongoing hot water supply:
- Conduct annual maintenance such as flushing sediment and inspecting anode rods to gauge costs against your hot water needs
- Check pipe fittings, valves, and joints periodically for leaks and address issues promptly
- Conduct a hot water check on your water heater for signs of failure like rust-coloured water and evaluate your hot water usage with an annual inspection by a licenced plumber
- Replace heaters that are more than 10-15 years old
- Install whole house sediment filters, considered one of the water heaters best practices, to prolong the appliance lifespan
- Discover how to safely fix the pilot light as an interim solution for burner or ignition problems
Menai Plumbing’s licensed plumbers, with their experience and advanced tools, guarantee your hot water systems remain reliable over time. We handle repairs, maintenance, replacements and emergency callouts around the clock.
For professional assistance with common water heater malfunctions in the Menai region, give us a ring on 1300 349 338 and we’ll schedule an appointment.
