- 300+ five-star reviews · VBA accredited plumbers
- Fully licensed and insured roof plumbers for roof-mounted collectors and tanks
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · Book online
Licensed and insured · Police checked and first aid verified · Australian owned and operated
Why Melbourne calls OnCall for solar hot water
- 24 hours, 7 days: including weekends and public holidays
- More than 15 years of emergency plumbing across Melbourne
- 300+ five-star reviews on Google
- VBA accredited plumbers and licensed, insured roof plumbers
- Electric and gas boosted systems, all makes and models
- Job-based pricing: one price, approved by you first
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
Two types of solar, two sets of faults
Most Melbourne solar hot water systems are one of two designs, and it helps to know which you've got.
- Close-coupled (tank on the roof). The collectors and tank sit together on the roof. Hot water rises into the tank naturally, with no pump.
- Split system (tank on the ground). Collectors on the roof, tank at ground level, and a pump that circulates water between them, run by a controller.
Both use a booster, electric or gas, to top up the temperature when there isn't enough sun. Not sure which you have? If there's a tank on the roof, it's close-coupled.
Solar hot water booster not working
The classic sign is hot water that's fine in summer but cold in winter or after a run of cloudy days. That usually means the sun's doing its job and the booster isn't.
On electric-boosted systems, check the booster switch or isolator is on, and whether a timer controls it. If it's on and you still have no hot water, the element or thermostat may have failed. On gas-boosted systems, the inline gas booster can have ignition or burner faults just like any gas unit.
Your plumber tests the booster and its controls and repairs the failed part. If the fault is in your home's electrical supply rather than the unit, we'll tell you and recommend an electrician.
Solar hot water pump repair
On a split system, the circulating pump moves water up to the collectors and back. When it fails, the tank stops collecting solar heat, and the booster ends up doing all the work, which you'll notice on your power or gas bill.
Signs of a pump or controller fault:
- the pump is silent on a sunny day
- the pump runs all night
- a noisy or rattling pump
- a controller showing an error, or a blank display
Often the cause is the pump itself, a failed temperature sensor, or the controller. We test all three before replacing anything.
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews · Price approved before work starts
Collector faults and frost damage
Collectors sit on the roof through every Melbourne summer and winter, and they take a beating. We see:
- Frost damage after a cold snap on systems that aren't frost-protected, or where the frost protection has failed
- Cracked or leaking collectors from age, hail or impact
- Air locks and blocked flow that stop water circulating
- Frost valves dripping on cold nights. On some systems that's normal; constant dripping in mild weather isn't
We check the collectors, pumps, valves, electric boost and roof-mounted parts, and tell you plainly what's worth repairing.
Solar hot water leaking on the roof
A leak from a roof-mounted collector, tank or pipe can show up as water dripping from the eaves, or a stain spreading across the ceiling below. Don't climb up to look. Switch off the booster and call us.
Our fully licensed and insured roof plumbers work safely at height and can deal with the source of the leak, a collector, a fitting, a pipe through the roof, or the roof tank itself. If the leak has caused damage beyond plumbing, such as to the ceiling, we'll tell you and recommend the right trade.
How we fix it: assess, explain, approve, fix
Assess. Your plumber checks the booster, pump, controller, sensors, collectors, valves and tank, on the ground and on the roof.
Explain. You'll hear what's failed, why, and whether it's worth repairing, in plain English.
Approve. You get a clear price and your options. Nothing happens until you say yes.
Fix. We repair the fault, then test every hot tap, the temperature control and the safety valves.
Solar hot water service in Melbourne
Regular servicing helps a solar system last. A service covers the collectors, pumps, valves, electric boost and roof-mounted parts, plus the sacrificial anode and relief valve on the tank. See hot water system servicing for more.
If a solar system is past its best, a corroded roof tank, damaged collectors, repeated failures, a replacement may be better value. We'll show you why and let you decide. See hot water system replacement, and our hot water rebates in Victoria guide if you're weighing up a new solar or heat pump system.
Pricing: what to expect
We charge by the job, not by the hour. Your plumber assesses the system on site and gives you a clear price before any work starts.
What moves the price:
- the fault and the part needed, a booster element, a pump, a sensor, a collector
- whether the work is on the ground or on the roof
- roof access, pitch and height
- the brand and age of the system, and whether parts are in stock
No work starts without your approval. See hot water repair cost for more.
How it works
- Call or book online. Call 1800 571 216 or book online. Tell us whether the tank is on the roof or the ground, and whether anything's leaking.
- Advice and a plumber on the way. We'll tell you whether to switch the booster off, and keep you posted on the ETA.
- Check and quote. Your plumber traces the fault, from the booster to the collectors, and gives you a clear price.
- You approve, we fix. With your go-ahead, we repair the fault on the ground or on the roof.
- Know what's next. We'll point out anything else on the system or roof worth watching, and whether another trade is needed.
Solar hot water questions
Why is my solar hot water cold in winter?
Usually the booster isn't working. Check it's switched on; if it is, the element, thermostat or gas booster may have failed.
Why isn't my solar pump running?
It may have failed, or a sensor or the controller may not be telling it to run. We test all three.
My solar system is leaking on the roof. What should I do?
Don't climb up. Switch off the booster, and if water is coming through the ceiling, turn off the water at the meter. Then call 1800 571 216.
Is a dripping valve on my solar system normal?
On some systems a frost valve drips on cold nights by design. Constant dripping in mild weather, or a dripping relief valve, should be checked.
Do you work on the roof?
Yes. Our roof plumbers are fully licensed and insured.
Do you repair all solar brands?
We work on all makes and models, electric and gas boosted. If yours is under the manufacturer's warranty, check with them first, because warranty repairs usually go through their own service network.
How much does a solar hot water repair cost?
It depends on the fault, the part and the roof access. We charge by the job and you approve the price before work starts.
Should I repair or replace my solar hot water system?
If the tank and collectors are sound, a repair usually makes sense. Our repair or replace guide covers when it doesn't.
Solar hot water not pulling its weight? Let's fix it.
A licensed OnCall plumber can check it from the booster to the roof, price it, and, once you say yes, fix 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.