- All makes and models serviced by VBA accredited, licensed plumbers
- One price for the job, approved by you before we start
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited · Price approved before work starts
Why book your service with OnCall
- More than 15 years of Melbourne plumbing, much of it fixing systems that weren't maintained
- 300+ five-star reviews on Google
- VBA accredited, licensed and insured
- Police checked and first aid verified plumbers in your home
- Job-based pricing: you know the cost before we start
- 24/7 backup: if something fails between services, we're the same people you call
What our customers say
"He turned up on time, went above and beyond, showed and explained everything and got the job done … he left the job site spotless."
Nancy Tayba, Google review
A Google review of OnCall's plumbing service.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews
Why hot water servicing matters
A storage hot water unit holds a tank of water at high temperature, under mains pressure, every hour of every day. Parts wear. Valves stick. Sediment settles in the base. None of that is a problem if someone checks it, and all of it becomes a problem if nobody does.
Regular servicing helps your system:
- last closer to the top of its expected 8 to 15 year lifespan
- keep its safety valves working the way they should
- heat efficiently, without creeping energy bills
- avoid the breakdown that always seems to land on the coldest morning
What a hot water service includes
What we check depends on your system type.
Gas hot water service check Burner, ignition and pilot, safety controls, flue and gas connections, for natural gas and bottled gas units.
Electric storage Heating elements, thermostats and the sacrificial anode.
Solar Roof-mounted collectors, pumps, valves, the electric or gas boost and roof-mounted parts.
Heat pump Heat exchanger performance and how well the unit is recovering.
On every storage system Pressure and temperature relief valve, tempering valve, expansion control valve where fitted, fittings and connections, and a look for any early signs of leaks or corrosion.
If anything needs replacing, we'll explain it and price it. Nothing extra happens without your approval.
Hot water anode replacement
Inside most storage tanks sits a sacrificial anode: a metal rod designed to corrode so the tank doesn't. Once it's worn away, the tank itself starts to rust from the inside, and a rusting tank eventually leaks. At that point, it usually can't be repaired.
Checking the anode and replacing it before it's gone is one of the most cost-effective things you can do for a storage system. How fast an anode wears depends on water quality and use, so we check it rather than guess. If yours is due, anode replacement can usually be done as part of the service.
Signs your system needs attention now
Book a service, or a repair, if you notice:
- the temperature not holding steady
- small leaks or moisture around the tank
- rust-coloured hot water
- banging, rumbling or hissing noises
- the water taking longer to heat
- energy bills rising for no obvious reason
If water is leaking or you smell gas, don't wait for a service, see emergency hot water repairs.
How a service works: assess, explain, approve, fix
Assess. We check the system against the list for its type and test the safety valves.
Explain. You get a plain account of the system's condition: what's fine, what's wearing, what's likely to need attention soon.
Approve. Any parts that need replacing are priced before we do them.
Fix. We carry out the approved work, test every hot tap and leave the system running properly.
If the service shows the tank is near the end of its life, we'll tell you honestly so you can plan a replacement instead of being caught out. Our repair or replace guide helps with that call.
Hot water maintenance for strata and rental properties
For strata managers and landlords and property managers, planned maintenance is cheaper and less disruptive than an emergency call from a tenant at night. We service units across apartment buildings and rental properties and give you a clear record of what was checked and what needs attention.
Pricing
We charge by the job, not by the hour. The price of a service depends on the system type, its access (a roof-mounted solar unit takes more work than a ground-level tank) and any parts that need replacing. You get a clear price before work starts. See hot water repair cost.
How to book
- Call or book online. Tell us the system type, brand if you know it, and your suburb.
- Pick a time. We'll book a plumber in.
- Service and report. Your plumber checks the system and explains what they found.
- Approve any extras. Any parts are priced first, and only fitted with your OK.
Hot water servicing FAQs
How often should a hot water system be serviced?
Check your owner's manual, as manufacturers set their own intervals. As a rule, a regular service every few years keeps most systems in good shape, and we'll suggest a timeframe after we've seen yours.
What is a sacrificial anode?
It's a metal rod inside the tank that corrodes in place of the tank. Replacing it before it's fully worn helps protect the tank from rust.
Do you service gas hot water systems?
Yes. We check the burner, ignition, safety controls and gas connections on natural gas and bottled gas units.
Do you service solar and heat pump systems?
Yes, including roof-mounted collectors, pumps, valves and boosters on solar, and heat exchanger performance on heat pumps.
Can a service stop my hot water system leaking?
It can catch worn valves and fittings early. If the tank itself has corroded through, servicing won't fix it, and we'll tell you.
Do you service all brands?
Yes, all makes and models. If your unit is under manufacturer warranty, check the manufacturer's servicing requirements.
Can you service units across a strata building?
Yes. We work with strata managers and give a clear account of each unit.
Book a hot water service before winter does it for you.
A licensed OnCall plumber can check your system, explain its condition and price any work before it's done.
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.