Hot Water System Replacement
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas, trusted since 1985
Leaking, rusted or worn out hot water system? Our plumbers and licensed gasfitters replace gas, electric, heat pump and solar systems, like for like or with an upgrade, and take the old one away. We agree a firm price before we pick up the tools, and there’s no call-out fee during business hours.
- 1Tell us what needs doing
- 2Pick a day and time that suits
- 3We confirm and send a local licensed Tap Doctor plumber
- 4Job done, problem solved
- Trusted since 1985
- Fully Licensed & Insured
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Locally Based Plumbers
- ★★★★★2,000+ Google reviews
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- Gas, electric, heat pump and solar
- Phones answered 24/7
Signs it’s time to replace your hot water system
Not every fault needs a new system. These are the signs that a repair won’t be worth the money. If you’re not sure, your plumber checks the system first and tells you honestly. Faults with a single part are covered on our hot water repairs page.
Water leaking from the tank
A leak from the tank itself, not a valve or fitting, means the tank has failed. Tanks can’t be patched.
Rust on the tank or rusty hot water
Rust coming through the base or seams, or brown hot water from the taps, usually means corrosion inside the tank.
Ten years old or more, with repeat repairs
Most storage systems last around 8 to 12 years. Past that, paying for repair after repair rarely makes sense.
The hot water keeps running out
If the household has grown, a bigger tank or a continuous flow unit fixes the problem a repair can’t.
Parts that aren’t worth fitting
When a major part such as a gas control or heat exchanger fails on an older system, the repair can cost close to a new unit.
Running costs
An old electric tank is one of the most expensive ways to heat water. A heat pump or instant gas unit can cost far less to run.
Hot water system leaking? Do this now
A split tank can empty a lot of hot water quickly. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call rather than booking online.
What to do first
- Turn the heating off. Electric: switch off the hot water circuit at the meter box. Gas: turn the gas control on the unit to off.
- Turn the water off at the cold water isolation valve on the pipe going into the tank. If you can’t find it, turn the water off at the meter stop tap.
- Keep clear of hot water: water in the tank can be 60°C or hotter, so don’t touch the PTR (temperature and pressure relief) valve or hot pipes.
- Call 1300-655-827. If you smell gas near the unit, turn the gas off at the meter and call us from outside.
Signs your hot water system needs a plumber
- No hot water, or it runs out much faster than it used to
- Water pooling under the tank or rust on the base
- A PTR valve that drips or runs all day
- Lukewarm water at the taps (often the tempering valve)
- Rusty or discoloured hot water
- A pilot light that keeps going out, or an error code on an instant unit
After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
Call 24/7: 1300-655-827Replacement options
Replace like for like, or use the replacement to change to a system that suits you better. Your plumber explains the options for your home and gives you a firm price for each before any work starts. All system types are explained on our hot water systems page.
Gas storage, like for like
The old tank out and a new one in, on the same gas and water connections where they’re still sound. Usually the simplest replacement.
Gas storage to continuous flow
Swap a tank for an instant unit on the wall that doesn’t run out. The gas line sometimes needs upsizing, and we check that before quoting.
Continuous flow replacement
An old or failed instant unit replaced with a new one, often on the same mounting and connections.
Electric storage
Electric tanks replaced for homes, units and granny flats without gas, from small units to family-sized tanks.
Electric tank to heat pump More →
A heat pump uses far less electricity than a standard electric tank. A common upgrade when an old electric tank fails.
Solar tanks and boosters More →
Failed solar tanks and boosters replaced. For solar faults that can be repaired, see solar hot water repairs.
What happens on a replacement
From the first look to hot water at the taps, this is how a Tap Doctor replacement runs.
1. We check the system
Your plumber confirms the system can’t be repaired, and shows you why where possible.
2. Options and a firm price
You get the replacement options that suit your home and a firm price for each. Nothing starts until you agree.
3. The old unit comes out
We turn off the power or gas and water, drain and disconnect the old system, and take it away.
4. The new system goes in
New unit fitted with a new PTR valve, a tempering valve where it’s needed, and the gas line upsized if the new unit needs it.
5. Tested before we leave
We check for leaks, check the hot water temperature at the taps and make sure everything is working.
6. Pay on completion
Cash, card or Osko bank transfer, collected when the job is done.
Repair or replace?
There’s no point paying for a repair on a system that is about to fail, and no point replacing a sound tank with one worn part. This is how your plumber weighs it up.
Usually worth repairing
A system under about 8 years old with a failed part: a PTR valve, element, thermostat, thermocouple, gas valve or tempering valve. See hot water repairs.
Usually time to replace
Water leaking from the tank itself, rust through the tank, or a system past 10 to 12 years that keeps needing repairs.
Keep it running longer
Regular hot water servicing, including the PTR valve and anode, helps a new system reach the end of its expected life.
You see the evidence
Where possible your plumber shows you the worn or broken part before you decide.
Recent hot water replacements
Short videos from recent Tap Doctor jobs: leaking and rusted tanks replaced, and a continuous flow install.
Leaking hot water system replaced, Rheem 125L electricSouth Yunderup
Rusted gas storage tank replacedCannington
Rheem 26 continuous flow hot water installSwanbourne
Burst pipe flooded the gas line, new Rheem 16 hot waterGolden Bay
How pricing works
A replacement depends on the system you choose, its size, access, and whether the gas or water lines need changing. So we look first and agree the price with you on site, with a firm price for each option.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look at the job during business hours.
A firm price, agreed on site
Your plumber looks at the job, explains what’s needed and gives you a firm price before any work starts.
No obligation
If you decide not to go ahead, there’s nothing to pay during business hours.
Further work quoted first
If we find something else that needs doing, we quote it and you decide before we do it.
Pay on completion
Cash, credit or debit card, or Osko bank transfer, collected when the job is done.
After hours
Our phones are answered 24/7. After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
Why people call Tap Doctor to replace a hot water system
A new hot water system is a big decision, often made in a hurry. This is how we handle it.
Plumbers and licensed gasfitters
Gas connections and gas line upgrades are done by a licensed gasfitter, so the job doesn’t need a second trade for the gas.
Options, not a sales pitch
If a repair will do, we say so. If it won’t, you get the options that suit your home.
Old unit taken away
We remove the old system and take it with us.
We call ahead and arrive on time
We confirm your booking, then call before we arrive so you’re not waiting at home all day.
What customers say about their hot water replacement
“Gas hot water heater started leaking. Tap doctor came out immediately and replaced the old unit. The plumbers were efficient and very professional.”
“The analysis, the quote and work was done swiftly. Our troublesome gas water heater was replaced with the instantaneous water heater. The system was back on line in 24 hours”
“The boys from Tap Doctor were prompt and professional. They removed the old non-functioning unit and installed a new Continuous flow unit in a very timely manner.”
“I got home late afternoon to find the hot water system leaking quite badly. Called Tap Doctor and Carl came out first thing the next morning. Replaced the unit and ensure all hot water taps were working.”
“So easy to deal with. Had a Rinnai Instantaneous swap over for a gas Storage. Professional job and the installers were fantastic especially Mitch.”
“Mark was brilliant/ our hot water tank split and we had no hot water (with a baby and toddler two days before Christmas!) he arrived only an hour after calling and diagnosed the issue. He completely replaced the hot water tank by the afternoon we had hot water again.”
“I had a storage hot water system installed today. Thank you to the 2 very efficient plumbers who installed it and took the old one away.”
Local hot water plumbers, since 1985
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas has been replacing hot water systems since 1985. Our plumbers and gasfitters live and work in the areas they cover, so there’s usually someone close by, and our phones are answered 24/7.
More on hot water: hot water systems, repairs, servicing and solar hot water repairs.
- Perth
- Plumbers and gasfitters in Perth →
- Mandurah
- Plumbers in Mandurah →
- Canberra
- Plumbers in Canberra →
- Gladstone
- Plumbers in Gladstone →
- Phone
- 1300-655-827, 24/7
Hot water replacement FAQs
How do I know my hot water system needs replacing?
Water leaking from the tank itself, rust through the tank or rusty hot water, and a system past 10 to 12 years that keeps needing repairs are the usual signs. If the fault is a part, such as a PTR valve, element, thermostat or tempering valve, a repair is often the better option.
Should I replace it with the same type?
A like-for-like swap is usually the quickest and lowest upfront price. If the hot water keeps running out, your household has changed or running costs matter, a replacement is the right time to look at continuous flow or a heat pump.
Can you change my storage system to continuous flow?
Yes. Changing from a gas storage tank to a continuous flow (instant) unit is one of the most common changes we make. An instant unit sometimes needs a bigger gas line, so we check that before we give you a price.
Can I replace an electric tank with a heat pump?
Yes, in most homes. A heat pump needs floor space outside with room for air to flow around it, and a power supply. Your plumber checks the spot and tells you what’s involved before quoting. More on heat pumps.
Do you take the old hot water system away?
Yes. We disconnect and drain the old unit, remove it and take it away.
Will I need a new tempering valve?
A replacement hot water system has to be set up so the water at your bathroom taps stays at 50°C or less, usually with a tempering valve. If yours is old or missing, we fit a new one as part of the job, and the new system gets a new PTR valve.
Do you replace all brands?
We work on most hot water brands and types, including Rheem systems, and can replace gas, electric, heat pump and solar systems.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
A replacement depends on the system, the size, access and whether the gas or water lines need changing, so we don’t guess. A plumber looks at your system and gives you a firm price for each option before any work starts, with no call-out fee during business hours and no obligation.
My hot water system is leaking now. What should I do?
Turn off the power or gas to the unit, turn off the cold water isolation valve going into the tank, keep clear of the hot water and call us on 1300-655-827, any time.
Time for a new hot water system?
Book online in under 2 minutes, or call us any time.