Hot Water Systems and Dodgy Tradies – Buyers Beware!

When replacing your old hot water heaters with a new hot water system, whether it’s solar hot water systems, gas hot water systems, or other types of storage tank unit or heat pump; there’s a genuine problem that has the potential to cost you thousands of dollars and unnecessary heartache. It’s the dodgy tradie epidemic that is getting worse, not better.

To stay abreast of industry updates and news, I follow a couple of Facebook plumbing-related pages. While scrolling through the most recent posts, I saw some pictures and comments that instantly made me feel for the customer and angry. A dodgy tradesperson was getting away with illegal and dangerous work on hot water systems or water heaters.

A highly recommended plumber on the Gold Coast posted the picture on Facebook who was asked to repair a hot water system. The new hot water system had been installed two months prior by another tradesperson. He was no longer answering or returning the calls of the upset homeowner.

Faulty Hot Water System Installation

A dodgy tradie had installed the existing hot water system in question, and it was a ticking time bomb. The significant faults were as follows:

1. It had been connected in such a way that if the thermostat failed and the water continued to boil, there was a very high likelihood of an explosion of the hot water supply due to a blocked relief valve discharge pipe.
2. A tempering valve had not been installed. This vital component prevents children and the elderly from scalding burns by blending hot water with cool water to 50 degrees Celsius.
3. The non-return isolating valve was not installed. This component aims to prevent hot water from going back through the cold supply. For example, it prevents melting hot water tap washers and plastic components like toilet cistern filling valves.
4. The cold water expansion valve that discharges water to prevent damage to isolating valves and other pipework was missing.
5. There was no safe tray under the unit to prevent water from flooding the house if there was ever a leak from the hot water system.
6. There was zero insulation on the pipework for preventing heat loss.

The installation did not comply with Australian standards for hot water systems. And the pipework looked like my dog had fabricated it (no offence intended Ebony, my lovely kelpie).

Most hot water systems or hot water cylinder, when installed correctly, will provide hot water on demand without further thought and are energy efficient (since we all know and care about greenhouse gas emissions), whether it’s electric hot water systems, continuous flow systems, solar hot water systems, or electric instantaneous water heaters. They (natural gas storage systems, electric systems and instantaneous hot water heater systems) require a minor service every few years to ensure the relief valve is operational. And replacement of the sacrificial anode, usually every five years. However, when certain unfavourable conditions align, a hot water system can turn into a dangerous bomb inside your home and can even skyrocket your energy bills. How much more if you have gas systems? Such a water heater system, installed or fixed incorrectly, is a ticking threat to your home and family. Never mind the running costs, you should consider calling fast a fully licensed professional for a hot water system replacement.

The television show Mythbusters conducted an experiment where they removed all safety valves from a hot water system and then pressurised the unit. The subsequent explosion launched the tank over a hundred meters and peppered the surrounding area with dangerous shrapnel.

I’m a business owner, a tradesman and an employer, but foremost I’m a person who wants to help people with plumbing problems and provide quality solutions and efficient service.

I believe that it’s my duty as a business owner to prevent consumers from having a similar experience to the poor customer referred to above. It is the responsibility of reputable business owners to call out dodgy tradies who should not be in business. Think about the risk in your pocket and life when dodgy tradies take care of your hot water repairs and maintenance for your gas hot water system or gas water heaters, solar hot water system, instantaneous system and electric models. You deserve expert advice on trusted brands and peace of mind everything will run smoothly and safely.

In my opinion, there has been a severe decline in the standard of workmanship and gaps in the fundamental knowledge of tradespeople. Furthermore, I regularly see a blatant disregard for the law and regulations from dodgy tradespeople.

With that in mind, you should ask the following when choosing hot water system experts to repair or supply and install your hot water system:

1. Will you come to my home and discuss the best type of hot water system? What suits my water heating needs — electric hot water systems or gas hot water systems? Will you consider the number of people in the house, the energy efficiency of the system, my budget and any plans that I have for my home?
2. Do you hold the correct plumbing licence to install hot water systems?
3. Do you hold the necessary electrical licence? If there were ever an insurance claim at the property due to an electrical surge, the insurer would require that a licenced tradesperson had installed your hot water system.
4. Will the system be installed per the Australian Standards and local authority requirements?
5. Do you offer a lifetime warranty on your workmanship?
6. Has the system and its components been thoroughly tested?
7. Will the system and its components be brand new and not ex-showroom floor stock?
8. Does the system have a minimum 10-year manufacturer’s warranty?
9. Will indoor installations have the required safe tray and automatic shut off valve to prevent flooding in my home?
10. Do you submit the legally required Notifiable Work form to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission?

It would be best to get a sense of trustworthiness from the trade business. And there should be plenty of customer reviews to support the satisfaction of others who have tried the highly recommended company before you.

Hot Water System Installed By Our Team

The size of the business is also an important consideration. If there is a problem with the hot water system in the future, the company you chose should have the personnel available to attend and perform a warranty repair.

The following picture is a hot water system we installed inside a customer’s home the day before I wrote this article.

The customer left a 5 star Google review stating the following:

“All the guys are friendly and professional. I had my Hot Water System replaced within 24 hours of my call. They arrived on time, did a professional job, and cleaned up after themselves. Made the whole trauma of dealing with tradesmen a pleasant experience.”

I genuinely hope that this helps you decide on repairing or replacing your hot water system with the best hot water system by experts and prevents you from having a potentially dangerous and costly experience.

Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs whether it’s for your old hot water system and existing system or a cost effective new hot water unit on 1300 390 361. From continuous flow system to an electric hot water system, heat pumps, and other hot water systems run through solar panels for low running costs— you can rely on us to provide you a complete range of plumbing services with many benefits aside from a great price.

We’re the cheaper price and our excellent job will speak for itself. Our highly trained team with many years of industry experience are always ready to provide Australian households with an exceptional service at the best price, no matter the household size and your hot water tank problem! We can even even help you formulate an informed decision in choosing from the leading hot water system brands.

Regards,
Dane
Owner of Gold Coast Plumbing Company