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Two very different norths
Melbourne's north runs from some of the city's oldest housing to some of its newest, and the hot water problems change as you head up the map.
The inner north: cottages, weatherboards and renovations
Brunswick, Northcote, Thornbury and Coburg are full of Victorian and Edwardian cottages and weatherboards, many of them renovated more than once. Hot water units in these homes are often squeezed into tight spots: a narrow side passage, a lean-to laundry, the back corner of a small block. Electric storage tanks are common in smaller cottages, and older gas storage units turn up wherever the house has been on gas for decades.
What tends to go wrong: elements and thermostats wearing out on electric tanks, pilot and thermocouple faults on older gas units, and relief valves dripping into a passageway where nobody notices until the fence line is wet.
Post-war Preston, Reservoir and Pascoe Vale
Further out, you'll find post-war weatherboard and brick-veneer homes on bigger blocks. Many are on mains gas with an outdoor gas storage tank. A lot of these units have been replaced at least once, and the replacement is often now the age where repair versus replacement becomes a real question. Our repair or replace guide covers how we make that call.
Growth estates around Epping, South Morang and Mernda
The newer estates in the outer north are a different story. You'll commonly see continuous flow gas units on the outside wall, and some homes with solar collectors on the roof or a heat pump at the side. Continuous flow units show an error code when something's wrong, which helps us diagnose quickly. Newer homes are also increasingly all-electric, which means more heat pumps.
Apartments along the tram lines
Apartment buildings have gone up along the north's tram and train corridors, especially around Sydney Road and High Street. Apartment hot water usually means a compact electric tank or continuous flow unit in a cupboard or on a balcony, or a shared system run by the building. Access can be tight, and owners corporations often have rules about work hours. We work with residents, landlords and building managers. See strata hot water repairs if you manage a building.
Northern suburbs we cover
Brunswick · Coburg · Pascoe Vale · Northcote · Thornbury · Preston · Reservoir · Heidelberg · Bundoora · Thomastown · Lalor · Mill Park · South Morang · Epping · Mernda · Craigieburn
If your suburb's not here, call 1800 571 216 and we'll confirm.
Can it wait till morning?
Sometimes. Here's a straight guide.
Call now if: the tank is leaking, you can smell gas, water is pouring out, or a household with young kids or elderly family has no hot water on a cold night.
It can probably wait if: the water is a bit lukewarm but steady, or the relief valve is dripping slowly and you can catch it.
Either way, ring 1800 571 216 and describe what you're seeing. We'll tell you honestly whether it needs a plumber tonight or can be booked for the morning.
Safe to do while you wait: switch off the power to a leaking unit, isolate the gas supply if you smell gas, and turn the water off at the meter for a major leak.
Renting in the north?
Plenty of households in the north rent, especially in the inner suburbs. In Victoria, a failed hot water service is treated as an urgent repair for rental properties, so tell your landlord or property manager straight away. If you're the landlord or property manager, we can attend and coordinate access with your tenant. Check Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current rules, and see rental property hot water repairs.
What happens when we arrive
- We assess the whole system, not just the obvious symptom.
- We explain what's failed and what your options are, in plain English.
- You approve one price for the job. We charge by the job, not by the hour.
- We fix it, then test every hot tap, the temperature control and the safety valves.
We only recommend replacement when repair isn't practical or cost-effective. If the problem is beyond plumbing, such as an electrical fault outside the unit, we'll tell you and recommend the right trade.
What customers say about OnCall
"After countless refusals from other plumbers I managed to get hold of Aiden and he DID NOT DISAPPOINT … In the end he completely solved the issue and even cleaned afterwards."
Tim Dacey, café owner, Google review
"Aiden was very professional and on time to the job. Got it done and dusted faster than I expected."
Eren, Google review
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews
Northern suburbs hot water questions
Are you a hot water plumber near Preston?
Yes. We cover Preston, Reservoir, Thornbury and the surrounding northern suburbs, 24/7, with immediate dispatch for urgent jobs and ETA updates on the way.
Do you do hot water repairs in Coburg on weekends?
Yes. We're open 24 hours, 7 days, including weekends and public holidays, across Coburg, Brunswick and Pascoe Vale.
Can you fix my continuous flow unit in Epping?
Yes. We repair continuous flow systems across all makes and models. Tell us the error code when you call if you can see one. See continuous flow hot water repairs.
My Reservoir home has an old gas tank. Is it worth repairing?
It depends on the tank's age and condition. If it's sound and one part has failed, a repair usually makes sense. If the tank is leaking or the system is past 10–15 years with several faults, replacement is usually the better call.
Do you work on electric hot water in older cottages?
Yes. We repair electric storage units, including elements, thermostats and anodes. If the fault is electrical beyond the unit, we'll tell you if you need an electrician. See electric hot water repairs.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the fault and the system. We assess it on site and give you a clear price before any work starts. See hot water repair cost.
Do you cover Craigieburn and Mernda?
Yes. Call 1800 571 216 and we'll confirm for your address and give you a realistic estimate on timing.
No hot water in the north? We're on it.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited · Price approved before work starts
What happens next: we'll confirm your details, give you pre-arrival advice if you need it, and send a plumber. You'll get ETA updates on the way.