Repair conditions in Canberra
Winter freezes
At Canberra Airport, June averages 12.9 days at or below 0°C, July 15.8 and August 12.0. Pipes running outside to a tank, solar collector or heat pump are the exposed ones, and the ACT Government's advice is to insulate all pipes and storage tanks.
Soft water
Icon Water rates Canberra's water as soft, at about 43 mg/L, and links scaling to hard water. If a repair quote blames scale, ask the plumber to show you.
Gas repairs are allowed
The ACT has no rule forcing gas appliances out, so a gas unit can be fixed. Weigh the repair against the Government's expectation that parts of the network close from the mid-2030s.
Checks before you book
- Look at the hot water circuit on the switchboard. Don't keep resetting one that trips.
- Gas unit: note any fault code on the display, and check whether the cooktop has gas.
- Frosty start: see whether hot water returns once the sun reaches the outside pipes.
- Water around the base: close the cold water valve to the tank and keep the area dry.
- Photograph the label with the brand, model and manufacture date.
What a repair specialist looks at
A plumber will chase the cause before quoting: the thermostat or element on an electric tank, the ignition or gas valve on a gas unit, the relief valve if it's dumping water, or pipework that froze and split. On heat pumps and solar systems, expect them to check the outdoor pipes and their lagging, because those face the frost.
A drip from the relief valve or a damp tank is a leak you can see. Icon Water's undetected leak adjustment is for leaks that couldn't be seen, so don't count on it here.
Repair or replace?
The ACT Government says an electric storage unit over 10 years old may be due for a more efficient replacement. With gas, a repair is allowed, but each one is a bet on how long the network keeps running where you live.
If replacing looks smarter, our Canberra replacement page sets out the order of steps. The national repairs guide lists symptoms and their usual causes.
Warning signs on a repair call
- A new system pushed before anyone has tested the part that failed.
- Gas work offered by someone who can't name a gasfitter class on their ACT licence.
- Advice to turn stored water well below 60°C to save money. The Australian Building Codes Board says turning storage down promotes Legionella growth.
What we would do
On a frosty morning, give it until the sun has been on the pipes before you call anyone. If it's still cold, get a hot water specialist to name the failed part and price that repair on its own. For a gas unit, ask yourself whether you'd rather spend that money towards a heat pump. Then lag the outside pipes, whichever way you go.