Salmon Plumbing Guarantee to ARRIVE ON TIME to your scheduled appointment.
In the rare instance that your plumber has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we promise to give you a MINIMUM 30-minutes notice of ANY change in arrival time and will offer to reschedule, if that’s more convenient for you
If we don’t give you at least 30 minutes notice in advance, we will happily give you a FREE Hour of Service on your plumbing job.
This offer is not to be used with any other offer.
Does not apply to quoted jobs.
Discounts will not be applied to overdue amounts.
Deposits
Deposits are not refundable however partial or total refunds of deposits may be made at the sole discretion of Salmon Plumbing.
Cancellations
Salmon Plumbing reserve the right to charge for lost time as a result of cancellations and or postponement made less than 2 business days from the scheduled appointment time.
Warranties
Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).
From hot water system repairs to total replacement, we’ll get your hot water problems sorted TODAY, guaranteed.
Not an emergency? Keep reading and you might just avoid one…
Have you been neglecting your hot water system?
Be honest – when was the last time you scheduled hot water servicing? Life is busy, we get it. And we know maintaining your hot water system is nowhere near the top of your to-do list. We also know that for many Brisbane homeowners, it’s not on the list at all.
But it really should be.
In fact, hot water servicing should be carried out every five years – at least.
No, it’s not a sneaky service that plumbers have invented so they can charge you an arm and a leg. Check out your manufacturer’s warranty – in most cases, regular servicing carried out by a licensed technician is a condition of the warranty. Long story short, if something goes wrong with the system and the company thinks it’s because you haven’t maintained it properly, they could deny your claim. To ensure you’re meeting your warranty obligations, refer to your user manual for the recommended maintenance schedule.
Why is regular hot water servicing so important?
Apart from maintaining your warranty, regular hot water servicing is essential if you want to get the most out of your system. This hard-working plumbing fixture lives a tough life – especially in Brisbane. After more than 30 years as leading plumbers in Brisbane, we can tell you that a neglected hot water system costs more to run, is less efficient, and dies far sooner than it should.
And after all, if you’ve gone to the trouble of investing in a reliable and energy-efficient hot water system, it just makes sense to invest in its proper maintenance.
Scheduling annual hot water servicing is key to:
Ensuring your system is running efficiently – when it’s not, you can expect your water heating bill to skyrocket.
Avoiding major faults and repairs – with regular maintenance, your plumber can identify and rectify issues early, and replace important components before they fail and cause major headaches.
Extending the life of the unit – regular maintenance prevents your unit from working harder than it should, reducing excessive wear and tear and helping you avoid premature replacement.
Ensuring safe operation – detect and address risks like gas leaks, bacteria build-up, hot water leaks and more.
Hot water system maintenance you can’t ignore
Regular hot water servicing can address a range of different issues, and these will vary depending on whether you have a gas, electric, solar or heat pump hot water system.
However, there are some particularly crucial components that must be replaced to protect your system: the sacrificial anode and the hot water valves.
What is the sacrificial anode?
The sacrificial anode protects your hot water tank from rust. With a lifespan of 5 years, the sacrificial anode will begin to corrode over time. If left to rust and wear out completely, the anode can no longer do its job. This leads to electrons in the water causing the hot water tank to rust. Replacing the anode significantly extends the life of your hot water tank – and it may even double it! Learn more about sacrificial anodes here.
Not convinced that this part could be so important? Some manufacturers stipulate that failure to carry out tank maintenance and anode change will void the warranty. It doesn’t matter if you have a heat pump hot water installation, gas, electric or solar system, you’ll need to replace the anode or risk trashing your system.
New and corroded sacrificial annode comparison
What is a hot water valve?
Hot water valves progressively fatigue over time and do not operate to peak effectiveness. These components may be small, but don’t underestimate their importance!
Temperature and pressure relief valve
This valve, also known as a TPRV, regulates the temperature and pressure in your hot water tank. By releasing water when the pressure reaches a certain level, it reduces stress on your hot water tank. The older it gets, the stiffer and less sensitive it becomes, which diminishes functionality. This increases the expansion and contraction of the hot water tank, leading to greater fatigue and a shorter tank life.
Cold water expansion valve
The cold water expansion valve in a hot water system sits on the inlet of the tank. Also known as ECVs, cold water expansion valves are designed to be activated at lower functioning pressure than a TPRV, and release cold water instead of hot water when the hot water storage system becomes pressurised. They become less effective with time.
Tempering valve
The tempering valve in a hot water system works to regulate the temperature of the hot water to 50 degrees +- 3 degrees. The tempering valve should be replaced every 5 years – but as a minimum, its filters should be cleaned and temperature reset.
Pressure limiting/pressure reduction valve
This valve limits or regulates incoming water pressure to ensure it does not go above 500 KPA. When operating effectively, it works to extend the life of your hot water unit and downstream tapware, fixtures, and appliances. Be aware, if the water inlet pressure does exceed 500KPA, your system’s warranty may be void. Don’t take the risk!
Duo valve or isolation/non-return valve
Designed as a shut-off point for the water supply into the hot water unit, this valve prevents hot water from being pushed into cold water. Ultimately, this is a health and safety issue and works to save energy by preventing hot water from escaping.
Who can perform hot water servicing?
The installation and maintenance of your hot water system is subject to plumbing regulations and standards in Queensland – and there are penalties for non-compliance. Always choose a qualified technician with the necessary trade licenses to carry out any preventative maintenance or repairs on your hot water system.
Salmon Plumbing is the leading expert when it comes to Brisbane’s hot water services. Our team are fully insured, QBCC licensed plumbers and gasfitters. Our relationship with our customers doesn’t end after we install a new hot water system. We offer ongoing support, including comprehensive maintenance programs, prompt repair services, and expert advice, ensuring your hot water system continues to perform optimally for years to come.
Why do Brisbane’s hot water units need regular servicing?
Brisbane’s unique climate can impact the performance of your hot water system in a range of ways.
High humidity
High humidity is part and parcel of living in Brisbane, and we experience this during a significant portion of the year. High humidity can result in corrosion in your unit, and the electrical components can fall victim to condensation. This can lead to malfunction, short circuiting, and other potential safety hazards.
Intense heat and UV radiation
Brisbane’s hot weather and year-round UV radiation can degrade external components in your hot water unit, and this can negatively impact energy efficiency. An annual inspection can address issues early to save you higher running costs over time.
Extreme weather
Brisbane weather is unpredictable and often extreme, which can wreak havoc on hot water systems. Potential risks include:
Flooding: If you live in a flood-prone area, your hot water system could be submerged. This can cause damage to electrical components and other parts of the system, corrosion, and sediment build-up.
Lightning strikes: Brisbane’s frequent electrical storms during summer can lead to lightning strike damage, impacting the thermostat, heating element, and wiring. Surge protection is recommended to safeguard against this.
Hail damage: In the event of a major hailstorm (and the golf ball-sized hailstones that can come with it), hot water units can sustain physical damage to the system and outward casing.
Water seepage: Heavy downpours can leech into the hot water system and lead to corrosion and problems with the circuitry, which will affect the system’s overall performance.
Hard water
Over time, Brisbane’s hard water can lead to scale build-up on your hot water system’s heating elements, negatively affecting the longevity of the unit. Regular servicing can address this issue.
What about commercial hot water services?
Salmon Plumbing offers commercial hot water maintenance and repairs designed to minimise downtime because business downtime is costly. We don’t just repair systems; we restore operations. Our priority emergency response and rapid repair services minimise disruption and get your business back on track quickly.
The Salmon Plumbing team have spent more than 30 years installing, maintaining and repairing tens of thousands of hot water systems across Brisbane homes and businesses. Our extensive experience and local expertise mean we don’t just service Brisbane; we understand it.
Our hot water services can assist you to:
Maximise the performance and energy efficiency of your hot water system
Reduce greenhouse emissions and lower your energy bills
Extend the life of your hot water system
Prevent costly repairs or premature system failure and replacement
Ensure the system is operating safely.
Don’t wait until something goes wrong! Our friendly team are here to discuss all your hot water plumbing and maintenance needs.
