Is it time to service our Hot Water unit?

Servicing and maintaing gas appliances around your home such as ducted heating units, gas cookers
and hot water units is a great way to keep your family safe as well as ensuring your gas appliances are working efficiently and don’t let you down!
Checking and servicing your gas hot water unit, heating and other gas appliances can save you money and provide appliance reliability for your home. Melbourne plumbing services, Newman Plumbing are licensed gas fitters and can assist with gas servicing and installation of gas appliances.

Regular maintenance and servicing is recommended for safe and efficient gas appliances around the home.
There are several points that a licensed gas fitter can observe and tend to while servicing your gas hot water unit.

• Integrity of plumbing pipe work to your hot water unit. 
• Associated hot water service valves operation and condition.
• Temperature limiting device.
• Hot water delivery.
• Anode inspection.
• Temperature pressure relief valve.
• Expansion control valve if fitted.
• Correct flue and ventilation from your hot water service.
• Testing and adjusting burner pressure for efficient operation.
• General installation and condition of unit.                                                                                       

It is recommended by manufactures that an annual service be conducted on your hot water service at home by a licensed gas fitter. Servicing must be performed by a qualified person.

• Inspect and flush Temperature Pressure Relief valve.
• Inspect and flush Expansion valve if fitted
• Check and if necessary adjust burner gas pressure for efficient operation.
• Check Piezo igniter, gas control and thermocouple condition and operation.
• Check operation of and clean pilot and burner.
• Visually check the hot water heater for any potential problems and advise.
• Inspect all plumbing, water and gas to the unit and isolating valves.

                            Major Five Year Service.
It is recommended by manufactures that a major five year service be conducted on any components, such as Temperature Pressure Relief valves which are not covered by warranty. This type of service also will ensure correct operation and efficient operation of your hot water unit.

A major five year service would include:

• Replace Temperature Pressure Relief valve with the appropriate valve.
• Inspect and flush expansion control valve if fitted and replace valve if required.
• Check and if necessary adjust burner gas pressure.
• Check Piezo igniter, gas control and thermocouple condition and operation.
• Check operation of and clean pilot and burner.
• Visually check the hot water unit and potential problems and advise.
• Inspect all plumbing, water and gas to the unit and isolating valves.

“This will ensure your in Hot Water all the time!”

A few tips in maintaining Hot Water at home.

Are you using more hot water than you think?

Is one outlet such as the shower using more hot water than you think?  Very often it is not realised the amount of hot water used, particularly when showering. Carefully review the family’s hot water usage. Have you licensed plumber fit new water saving tap ware or a flow control valve to each shower outlet to reduce water usage.

Is the pilot flame alight?

Check the pilot flame is burning by viewing through the opening in the top of the hot water service cover or remove the service panel to provide access to view the pilot. Relight the pilot flame according to the lighting instructions on the hot water service. If the pilot is going out by itself this is generally a indication the hot water unit could do with a service.

Temperature Pressure Relief valve is running?

It is normal and desirable this valve allows a small quantity of water to escape during the heating cycle.

However, if it discharges more than a bucket full of water in 24 hours or fails to stop dripping there may be another problem.

This is another sign that your hot water service is due for a service.

Going away?

If you plan to be away from home for a few nights, we suggest you leave the hot water unit in normal operation. However, if you plan to stay away for an extended time, the gas control knob can be turned to the “star” or pilot position to conserve energy. Follow the instructions which are normally on the back of the service panel or a sticker on the unit. When returning from you break away you will need to turn

the dial  back to the original position for the burner to reignite and heat the water. This could take up to an hour to regain desired hot water temperature.

Testimonials 

“We’ve always appreciated Newman Plumbing’s fast response and problem solving both at home and our business”

Sue – Balwyn North

A licensed plumber should always work on your plumbing system

Contact Newman Plumbing on 98993442

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