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Vulcan tank leaking or gone cold? Do this first
- Leaking? Switch off the power to an electric tank at the switchboard, or turn the gas control off on a gas tank. Then turn off the cold water valve on the unit if you can reach it safely.
- Smell gas? Isolate the gas at the meter and keep flames and switches away.
- Water spreading? Turn off the water at the meter and move anything that can soak it up.
Then call 1800 571 216. We'll talk you through anything else and send a plumber.
For landlords and property managers
Vulcan systems turn up in a lot of rental properties, so the person ringing us is often the property manager, not the person in the cold shower.
In Victoria, a failed hot water service is treated as an urgent repair for rental properties. Check Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current rules on urgent repairs.
When you call us about a tenant's Vulcan, we can coordinate access with the tenant, diagnose the fault, and give you a clear price to approve before any work goes ahead. You get a plain account of what failed and what we did, so you can update the owner. See rental property hot water.
How old is your Vulcan?
Plenty of Vulcan tanks in Melbourne have been in place a long time, so age is worth checking first. The rating plate or label on the side of the tank usually shows the model and manufacture details.
As a rough guide, hot water systems last 8 to 15 years, depending on how they're maintained, the water quality and how hard they work. A Vulcan that's well past that and starting to fail is often a candidate for replacement. A younger one with a single failed part is usually worth repairing. Our repair or replace guide goes through it in more detail.
Vulcan Freeloader repair
The Freeloader is Vulcan's gas storage range, and a common sight in Melbourne homes with mains gas. The common faults:
- Pilot won't stay lit: usually the thermocouple, the gas control or a draught at the flue.
- Burner lights but water stays lukewarm: thermostat problems or sediment in the base of the tank.
- Dripping relief valve: a constant drip isn't normal. See relief valve replacement.
- Rust-coloured water: can point to a worn anode or a corroding tank.
- Water at the base: a tank leaking from the base usually can't be repaired.
All gas work is done by licensed plumbers with gas safety checks before we leave.
Vulcan electric hot water repair
Vulcan's electric storage tanks are everywhere: in laundries, under stairs, in apartment cupboards and outside on a slab. When one fails, it's often one of these:
- No hot water at all: a failed element or thermostat.
- Not enough hot water: one element of a two-element tank has failed, or the off-peak supply isn't switching on.
- Tripping the power: often a shorted element. If the fault is in the home's wiring rather than the unit, we'll tell you that you need an electrician.
More on electric hot water repairs.
How we work on your Vulcan
Your plumber checks the whole tank, not just the bit that's failed, then explains what they've found and what the options are. You get one price for the job, on site. We don't charge by the hour, and nothing starts until you approve it. Once you've said yes, we do the repair, then test the hot taps, temperature and relief valve before we leave.
"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 of OnCall Emergency Plumbers
Call 1800 571 216: 24/7 · 300+ five-star reviews · Price approved before work starts
Vulcan hot water replacement
If your Vulcan is leaking from the tank, is over 10–15 years old, or has had several repairs already, replacing it usually costs less in the long run. You can go like-for-like with another gas or electric storage tank, or look at a different system type. We'll talk through water use, household size and running costs, then safely remove the old tank, install and test the new one, and commission it. See hot water system replacement.
Under warranty?
If your Vulcan is new enough to be under the manufacturer's warranty, check with the manufacturer first. Warranty repairs usually go through the manufacturer's own service network. For everything else, call us.
What a Vulcan repair costs
Every job's priced on site, once your plumber has seen the unit. A thermostat swap on a ground-level electric tank and a Freeloader replacement in a tight cupboard are very different jobs, so we don't guess over the phone. You approve the price before work starts. See hot water repair cost.
Vulcan hot water FAQs
Do you repair Vulcan hot water systems?
Yes. We repair and replace Vulcan gas and electric storage tanks across Melbourne, as an independent plumbing business.
Can you deal with my tenant directly?
Yes. We can arrange access with the tenant and keep you updated. You approve the price before any work starts.
My Freeloader's pilot keeps going out. What should I do?
Try relighting once using the instructions on the unit. If it goes out again, leave it and call us. If you smell gas, isolate the gas first.
Is it worth fixing an old Vulcan?
If the tank is sound and one part has failed, often yes. If it's leaking or well past its expected life, replacement usually makes more sense.
Do you work weekends and nights?
Yes. Our phones and plumbers run around the clock, every day of the year, including public holidays.
Can you get it going today?
Often, yes. We try to fit in same-day repairs across most Melbourne suburbs.
Vulcan let you down? Call us.
Tell us whether it's gas or electric, how old it is if you know, and whether it's leaking. We'll take it from there.
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.