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Imagine that you have jumped into the shower on a winter morning and got hit with cold water? Then you realise your hot water system has stopped working. Now you are confused about how to fix this issue, whether you should call an electrician in Perth or a plumber. This confusion is understandable, as hot water systems contain both plumbing and electrical components.
Contacting the wrong one first can waste both time and money. Read this blog to cut through the uncertainty so you can make the right call depending on what is actually wrong with your system.
When to call local electrician in Perth: If the system has no power, the heating element has failed, the circuit breaker keeps tripping, or the water is lukewarm, contact an electrician.
When to call a plumber: You need to contact a plumber if you notice water leaking, dust or discolouration, or have low hot water pressure.
When you need to contact both: In case you have a leaking water tank combined with an electrical fault, you need to contact both.
Now, before knowing whom you need to contact, it is extremely important to understand what type of system you have. Perth homes usually run on one of the following:
Electric storage system: A tank that stores and heats water using electric heating elements.
Gas storage or instantaneous system: Heated with the help of a gas burner rather than electric power.
Heat pump systems: This system uses ambient air to heat water with electrical components controlling the process.
Solar hot water systems: Here, water is heated by roof-mounted collectors, usually with an electric or gas booster.
Before contacting an local electrician in Perth or a plumber, take two minutes to check these two:
Go to your switchboard and look for a tripped breaker. If one is in the middle of “off” position, try switching it back to “on”. If it stays on, then your hot water system will start heating. Allow at least 1 to 2 hours for the electrical storage tanks to reheat before testing the taps.
Again, if it trips immediately, then there is likely a fault in the system. Do not keep resetting it, and contact an a electrician near Perth. Now, if everything is fine with the switchboard, then the issue is probably not electrical.
The pressure relief valve, also called the T&P Valve, is a safety device that is located on the side of your tank, near the bottom third. It has a small lever that you can lift to test it.
First, lift the lever and check whether water is flowing out of the overflow pipe. If no water flows, then the valve may be stuck, or the tank may need to be refilled. Here, you need to contact a plumber. If there is water pooling under the tank, it is a leak, and you also need to contact a plumber.
Sometimes it’s not a big issue, just a setting. Your hot water system has a thermostat that controls the temperature. If it’s set too low, the water will feel lukewarm or even cold. Have a quick look. If needed, adjust it slightly, but don’t go too high.
Give it some time after adjusting. These systems don’t heat instantly, it might take a while to respond. If the temperature still doesn’t improve after waiting, then yeah, something deeper is wrong. You must immidiately get in tough with an expert electrican in Perth.
Take a quick walk around the system. Do you see water pooling? Any dripping? That’s a clear sign something’s off. Also, listen closely. Hissing, banging, or popping sounds? Not normal.
These usually point towards internal pressure issues or sediment build-up. If you ignore these early signs, the damage can get worse pretty quickly. Better to act early than deal with a full breakdown later.
Here are the circumstances where you need to contact an electrician:
The circuit breaker keeps tripping
The system has no power
The water is only lukewarm
The system runs on and off at peak power and never heats up
There is damage, exposed or burnt wiring
When you are upgrading or replacing the system
Thus, if you come across any electrical issue causing the hot water system to malfunction, contact an electrician in Perth. Remember, an electrical problem in your water system is extremely serious. It is always recommended not to overlook those. A persistent electrical fault can shorten your system's lifespan.
HQ Electrical and Air is an industry-experienced, skilled electrical solutions provider in Perth, offering comprehensive electrical and air conditioning services across Western Australia. Our expert Perth-Based electrician handles each case with precision, care and compliance. We devised our maintenance plan in line with clients' requirements and ensured timely, high-quality service. We believe in maintaining long-term relationships with our clients. When it comes to electrical maintenance, you can con count on us. Visit our blog page to know about our corrective electrical maintenance and repair methods.