No hot water? Here's what to check before calling a plumber

Cold shower this morning. No warning. Nothing. Here's exactly what to check before you pick up the phone — some of these fixes take two minutes and cost nothing.

Step 1 — Check the circuit breaker (electric systems)

If you have an electric hot water system, the first thing to check is your switchboard. Find the circuit breaker labelled "hot water" or "HWS" — if it's tripped (sitting in the middle position), reset it by switching it fully off and then back on. If it trips again immediately, stop — there's an electrical fault and you need a plumber.

Step 2 — Check the pilot light (gas systems)

Older gas hot water systems have a pilot light that can blow out. Check the front of the unit for an inspection window or follow your system's relighting instructions (usually on a label on the unit). Modern gas systems have electronic ignition — if yours won't ignite, the igniter or gas valve may have failed.

Step 3 — Check your gas supply

If you have other gas appliances (cooktop, heater), check if they're working. If nothing gas-powered is working, your gas supply may be interrupted — call your gas retailer. If other appliances work but the hot water doesn't, the problem is with the system itself.

Step 4 — Check the temperature setting and TPR valve

Someone may have accidentally turned down the thermostat. Check the temperature dial on your system — it should be set to at least 60°C for storage systems. Also look at the temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve — if it's dripping or open, the system may have tripped a safety cutout and needs a plumber to reset it.

Step 5 — Check the age of the system

Find the label on your hot water system — it shows the manufacture date. Electric storage systems last 8–12 years. Gas storage 10–15 years. If yours is at or past that age and suddenly stopped working, it may have simply reached the end of its life.

After checking — what to do next

If none of the above resolves it, call a plumber. At Flow Now Plumbing we're available 24/7 and can usually attend same day across Melbourne. Most hot water repairs take 1–2 hours, and if replacement is needed, we carry common models and can often install the same day.

Still no hot water?

We're available right now. Same-day service across all Melbourne suburbs.

📞 Call 0410 924 363