Why is My Hot Water System Leaking?

It might be baffling to not know the exact cause of a water heater leak in your household or workplace. If you suspect a hot water system leak, you should contact Doherty Plumbing Solutions for assistance!

Leaving it until late could cause long-term damage to the unit itself, and even harm adjacent walls and flooring if the leaking water begins to accumulate. Slow leaks, which are not always promptly detected, can further cause irregular water flow from the hot water system.

So, before things snowball into a bigger plumbing issue, it is always advisable to act fast.

While some hot water unit leaks can be tackled with minor repairs, others might require a hot water heater replacement. In this case, licensed plumbing professionals such as Doherty Plumbing Solutions are there to help you find the best option.

What causes water heaters to leak?

Irrespective of any make or model of a hot water system, leaks springing from the unit could be due to one or more of the following causes:

  • Corrosion inside the tank resulting from the old age/overuse of a heater
  • Ill-fitting pipework, which might leave the unit’s supply lines loose
  • Damaged valves, including the pressure and temperature release valve (PTV) and expansion control valve (ECV), which help to keep the unit functioning optimally
  • Higher water pressure in the water mains, compared to the capacity of the heating unit

What to do if you notice a water heater leak?

If you find hints of a hot water system leak, take the following steps:

  1. Try to locate the source of the water leak.
  2. Turn off the water supply to the heating unit from the mains.
  3. Contact a professional plumber for peace of mind, and to gauge if you need a simple water heater repair or a full overhaul of the unit.

Who fixes hot water systems in Melbourne?

When your hot water system starts to act up, and you are frustrated by the sudden inconvenience, Doherty Plumbing Solutions’ team of expert plumbers can help.

Our licensed plumbers provide complete hot water services in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including repairs, maintenance and replacements/installations.

When you choose Doherty Plumbing Solutions for your Melbourne hot water services, you will receive top-of-the-line, quality workmanship.

In the event a hot water unit repair is not possible, we will work with you to determine a replacement that is suited to your home, budget, family, and lifestyle.

We work with industry-leading Australian brands for hot water units, and can make the necessary arrangements to order and install it in your Melbourne home or business.

For regular and reliable servicing of your gas appliances in compliance with the current Australian safety standards, reach out to our team for a quick response:

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    Of the many plumbing services they offer, this is the second time I've engaged them for different types of work. James has been very helpful and efficient in scheduling a time for a roof leak repair. Very pleased that the work was completed promptly. Trust that they have addressed the issues at hand.
    tjokro aminoto Avatar
    tjokro aminoto
    12/13/2024
    Fantastic service. I called with a question about my hot water service and within 24hrs Brian had been out and fixed the problem. Great service, great turnaround times and fair pricing too.
    Emily Kermac Avatar
    Emily Kermac
    4/09/2024
    The team from Doherty Plumbing responded promptly to my emergency call to unblock the sewer drain in our backyard. Tim and Angus were professional, courteous and thorough in their work. I highly recommend this business to take care of your plumbing issues.
    Donna O'Keeffe Avatar
    Donna O'Keeffe
    12/30/2023
    Very appreciative of Doherty Plumbing Solutions for their prompt and excellent service at a particularly busy time of the year in the lead up to Christmas. Attended same day we rang them! Highly recommended.
    John Frazzetto Avatar
    John Frazzetto
    12/30/2023
    Guys arrived on time ..they were very clear as to what our job required and in no time fixed our issue..I would highly recommend Doherty Plumbing!
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    Janet halley
    2/29/2024
    Always reliable and responsive we have used them on multiple tasks.Matt installed a modem toilet onto a vintage drain without difficulty. I have recommended them to my friends
    John Moore Avatar
    John Moore
    7/13/2024
    Communication pre visit was excellent. Yarra Valley water representative said that the problem was on our property and that you should have fixed it. We’re unsure about that and pleased that it was fixed promptly.
    Jane Woodman Avatar
    Jane Woodman
    1/13/2025
    Quick and efficient. The work was done as quoted and unlike many tradies they turned up when they said they would. Very happy with there work.
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    Tony G
    12/13/2024
    Responsive, reasonably priced and pleasant to deal with. Have used several times in the past and will continue to do so.
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    Fiona Walliss
    9/13/2024
    Highly recommended 10/10. On time . Courteous guy , friendly and polite. In lead up to him arriving I was kept in the loop during the whole process. Cost I was amazed it was so reasonable. Being screwed in the past by tradesmen this plumbing service made me realise honest tradesmen are still around. Thanks. Guys.
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    Gazza East Melbourne
    3/30/2024
    For reliable plumbing services, call 03 9877 5775 or 0417 577 432