Hot water system replacement in Burwood
Out with the old and in with the new. A customer in Burwood had reached the end of the road with their gas hot water system, and Doherty Plumbing Solutions replaced it with a new unit in the same external position.
The customer is enjoying their hot water again.
Our hot water service covers repairs, replacements and new installations, and our plumber in Burwood works across Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.
Quick answer
What work was completed at this Burwood property?
The existing external gas hot water system had come to the end of its service life and was replaced.
The old unit was disconnected and removed, and a new AquaMAX gas storage system was installed in the same position against the external wall.
New pipework was run to the unit, the gas and water connections were made, and the system was commissioned so the customer had hot water again.
Job overview
| Location | Burwood, VIC |
| Property type | Residential |
| Problem | Ageing gas hot water system at the end of its service life |
| Unit location | External, against the side wall of the house |
| Service | Hot water system replacement |
| Old unit | AquaMAX gas storage hot water system |
| New unit | AquaMAX gas storage hot water system, installed in the same position |
| Work completed | Old unit disconnected and removed, new system installed, new pipework and connections, system commissioned |
| Outcome | Hot water restored |
| Plumber | Doherty Plumbing Solutions |
The problem
The property had an external gas storage hot water system mounted against the side wall of the house. It had been there a long time and had reached the point where replacement made more sense than another repair.
The job photos show the condition of the old unit. The casing was weathered and marked after years of sitting outside, the burner compartment at the base was open, and the gas control had been pulled off the unit.
Hot water systems do not usually fail without warning. Rising running costs, water that does not get as hot as it used to, rust marks or water pooling at the base, and repairs that start coming closer together are all signs a unit is nearing the end.
What we found
The old unit was an external AquaMAX gas storage system. At its age, a repair would have been money spent on a unit that was going to need replacing before long anyway.
The position itself was sound. The unit sat on a solid base against the wall with the existing gas and water services already run to that point, so there was no need to relocate the system or re-run services across the property. That keeps a replacement straightforward.
How we replaced the system
The old system was isolated, disconnected from the gas and water supply, drained and removed.
A new AquaMAX gas storage unit was then installed in the same position. New pipework was run to the unit and the water and gas connections were made, including the relief line, with new copper visible in the finished photo.
Gas work is licensed work for good reason. Every connection is tested before the system is handed back, and the installation has to meet the relevant standards.
The result
The customer went from an ageing unit at the end of its life to a new gas hot water system in the same spot, with the work contained to the one external wall.
Another happy customer in Burwood enjoying their hot water again.
What this Burwood job shows
There comes a point where repairing a hot water system stops being the economical choice. When a unit is old enough that parts are getting harder to justify, the money is often better spent on a replacement that will run reliably for years.
A like-for-like replacement in the same position is usually the most straightforward option. Where the existing services are already run to the spot and the base is sound, there is no need to relocate the unit or open up walls, and the job stays contained.
It is also worth deciding before the system fails completely. Replacing a unit on your own timeline is a far better experience than discovering the problem in a cold shower on a winter morning.
Related reading: Gas plumbing · Signs your hot water unit needs replacing · Which hot water system to choose
Frequently asked questions
How long does a gas hot water system last?
Service life varies with the type of system, water quality, usage and how well it has been maintained. A plumber can inspect the unit and advise whether a repair or a replacement makes better sense for your situation.
What are the signs a hot water system needs replacing?
Common signs include water that no longer gets properly hot, running out of hot water sooner than it used to, rust marks or water pooling at the base of the unit, noises from the cylinder, and repairs becoming more frequent.
Can a new hot water system go in the same spot as the old one?
Often, yes. Where the existing base is sound and the gas and water services are already run to that position, a like-for-like replacement can usually be installed in the same place, which keeps the work contained.
Does a gas hot water system have to be installed by a licensed plumber?
Yes. Gas work must be carried out by a licensed professional. Connections are tested and the installation must meet the relevant standards before the system is handed back to the customer.
Do you replace hot water systems in Burwood?
Yes. Doherty Plumbing Solutions repairs and replaces gas, electric and heat pump hot water systems throughout Burwood and Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.
Need a hot water system replaced in Burwood?
If your hot water is running cold, your unit is showing its age or you have been quoted for another repair on a system that may be past it, Doherty Plumbing Solutions can help. Our team can assess the unit and explain whether a repair or a replacement is the better option.
Call Doherty Plumbing Solutions on (03) 9877 5775 or get in touch online.
