- Open 24 hours, 7 days, including weekends and public holidays
- We repair what can be repaired, and tell you plainly when it can't
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited · Price approved before work starts
Why call OnCall for a leak
- 24/7 emergency plumbers with more than 15 years on Melbourne callouts
- 300+ five-star reviews on Google
- VBA accredited, licensed and insured
- Police checked and first aid verified
- Charged by the job, approved by you before we start
- Repair first: no replacement unless repair isn't practical
Leaking right now? Do this first
- Switch off the power to the unit. For electric and heat pump systems, turn off the hot water circuit at the switchboard. For gas units, turn the gas control to off.
- Turn off the water. Close the cold water valve on the unit if you can reach it safely, or turn off the water at the meter for a major leak.
- Smell gas? Isolate the gas supply at the meter, keep flames and switches away, and call us.
- Keep the area clear. Water and electrics don't mix. Move kids and pets away and keep rugs and boxes out of the wet.
Then call 1800 571 216. We'll tell you if anything else needs doing and send a plumber with ETA updates.
What our customers say
"Aiden was very professional and on time to the job. Got it done and dusted faster than I expected."
Eren, Google review
"He turned up on time, went above and beyond, showed and explained everything …"
Nancy Tayba, Google review
Google reviews of OnCall's plumbing service.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews
Where is the water coming from?
The location of the leak tells us most of the story.
- Overflow pipe dripping: often the relief valve doing its job, or a valve that's worn out. See relief valve replacement.
- Valves or fittings on the side or top: a loose fitting, a worn tempering valve or a failed valve. Usually repairable.
- Pipework near the unit: a joint or pipe that's failed, not the unit itself. Usually repairable.
- Base of the tank: water pooling under the unit, or rust stains on the base. This usually means the tank itself is leaking.
- Solar systems: leaks can come from roof-mounted collectors and pipework, not just the tank on the ground.
Hot water system leaking from the bottom
This is the one nobody wants to hear, so we'll say it plainly. When a storage tank leaks from the base, it almost always means the inner tank has corroded through. A leaking tank usually can't be repaired, and patching it isn't safe or lasting.
In that case, we'll show you what we've found and explain your options. If replacement is the right call, our hot water system replacement service covers safe disconnection and removal of the old unit and installation of the new one.
Before we reach that conclusion, we check it isn't a valve or fitting dripping down the side of the tank, that happens often, and it's a much smaller job.
Hot water tank leaking from a valve or fitting
When the leak is from a fitting, valve or connection, the fix is usually straightforward. Common repairs include:
- replacing a pressure and temperature relief valve
- replacing a leaking tempering valve
- replacing an expansion control valve on the cold side
- remaking or replacing a leaking fitting or joint
- replacing a failed section of pipework near the unit
These repairs keep a healthy tank running for years. Leaking tempering valves are one of the most common jobs we see, more on tempering valve replacement.
How we handle a leaking hot water unit: assess, explain, approve, fix
Assess. We trace the leak to its source, check the tank's condition and the age of the system.
Explain. You'll hear exactly where it's leaking and whether that's a part or the tank. If the tank's gone, we'll show you.
Approve. You get one price for the job, whether that's a valve or a new unit.
Fix. We repair or replace, then test every hot tap, the temperature control and the safety valves.
Leaking hot water cylinder repair for every system
We attend leaks on all makes and models of gas, electric, continuous flow, heat pump and solar systems. In apartments and strata buildings, a leak can affect the unit below, so we work quickly to stop the water and give the strata manager a clear account of what was done.
Pricing
We charge by the job, not by the hour. A valve replacement and a full system replacement are very different jobs, so we assess on site and give you a clear price before any work starts. See hot water repair cost for what moves the number.
How it works
- Make it safe and call. Switch off the power or gas and water if needed, then ring 1800 571 216.
- Advice and dispatch. We'll guide you on anything else and send a plumber with ETA updates.
- Find the leak. Your plumber traces the source and explains the options.
- You approve, we fix. We repair or replace, test the system and clean up.
Leaking hot water system FAQs
Is a leaking hot water system dangerous?
It can be. Water near electrics, a gas unit with a fault, or a relief valve discharging very hot water are all risks. Switch off the power or gas and call a plumber.
Can a leaking hot water tank be repaired?
Usually not, if the tank itself is leaking. A leak from a valve, fitting or pipe usually can be repaired.
Why is my hot water system leaking from the bottom?
Most often the inner tank has corroded through. Sometimes it's a valve or fitting dripping down the side, so we always confirm the source.
Should I turn off my hot water system if it's leaking?
Yes. Switch off the power or gas to the unit and turn off the water if the leak is heavy.
Is a dripping overflow pipe a leak?
Not always. A relief valve can release small amounts of water while the tank heats. A constant flow means the valve or pressure needs checking.
How quickly can you get here?
We dispatch immediately for urgent jobs and give ETA updates. Timing depends on location, demand and weather.
Will you just tell me to replace it?
No. We only recommend replacement when the tank is leaking or repair isn't practical or cost-effective, and we show you why.
Leaking hot water? We'll stop it and sort it.
A licensed OnCall plumber can find the source, price the fix and get it done once you say yes.
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.