How Often Should You Service Your Hot Water System?

Hot water systems are easy to ignore — until they leak, run cold, or fail completely. A little routine maintenance extends their life, keeps them running efficiently, and catches small problems before they become a cold-shower emergency.

How often

• Storage systems (gas or electric): a check every couple of years is sensible, with attention to the sacrificial anode and the pressure-relief valve.
• Continuous-flow gas units: a service every few years keeps them burning cleanly and efficiently.
• Always check the manufacturer’s guidance — some warranties require periodic servicing to stay valid.

What a service covers

• The pressure-relief valve is tested and replaced if needed — a stuck valve is a genuine safety issue.
• The sacrificial anode in storage tanks is checked. This rod corrodes so the tank doesn’t; replacing it at the right time can dramatically extend tank life.
• The tank is flushed of sediment that reduces efficiency and capacity.
• Connections, the burner and seals are checked for leaks and safe operation.

Signs yours needs attention now

• Water that’s slow to heat, or runs out faster than it used to.
• Rusty or discoloured hot water.
• Rumbling or popping noises from the tank (sediment build-up).
• Any sign of water pooling around the base.

If your system is getting on in years and showing any of these signs, it’s better to have it looked at now than to replace it in a hurry when it dies — which, reliably, is on the coldest morning of the year.