No hot water? We can usually fix it today
Drainpro Plumbers repairs, replaces and installs hot water systems across Mandurah and the Peel. We're licensed plumbers and gas fitters, so we can handle the whole job ourselves, whether it's an electric tank, a gas storage or continuous flow unit, a heat pump or a solar system. If you've got no hot water, call 0413 904 259 any time.
The systems we work on
Gas storage and continuous flow
Gas is popular in Mandurah because it's quick to heat and cheap to run where there's a mains supply. Storage units keep a tank of hot water ready. Continuous flow (instantaneous) units heat water as you use it, so you never run out and there's no tank to replace. We also connect gas systems to LPG bottles on properties without mains gas.
Electric storage
Simple and cheap to buy, but the most expensive to run unless it's on an off-peak tariff or paired with rooftop solar. A good choice when there's no gas and no space for a heat pump.
Heat pump
A heat pump works like a reverse air conditioner, pulling heat from the air into the water. It uses about a third of the power of a standard electric tank, and Mandurah's mild climate suits them well. Government small-scale technology certificates (STCs) usually take a good chunk off the purchase price.
Solar
Roof-mounted panels heat the water, with a gas or electric booster for cloudy days. Very cheap to run in WA, and STCs apply to these too. We repair and replace solar storage tanks, boosters and valves.
Brands
We repair and replace all the common brands found in Mandurah homes, and can supply a new system from the leading Australian manufacturers. If your system is still under warranty, we'll tell you whether it's worth a call to the manufacturer first.
Repair or replace?
It's the first question everyone asks, and the honest answer depends on the age of the system and what's wrong with it.
Usually worth repairing:
- A faulty thermostat, element, pilot or ignition
- A leaking or worn relief valve or tempering valve
- A system under about 8 years old that's otherwise in good shape
Usually time to replace:
- Water leaking from the tank itself (tanks can't be patched)
- Rusty or discoloured hot water
- A system 10 or more years old that keeps needing repairs
- Your household has grown and you keep running out
We'll give you the options and the price for each on the spot, so you can make the call. More on this in our post on repairing vs replacing a hot water system.
What a new hot water system costs
The price of a replacement comes down to a few things:
- The type of system. Electric storage is usually the cheapest to buy, then gas, with heat pumps and solar costing more up front but much less to run. STCs reduce the price of heat pumps and solar.
- The size. A couple needs much less than a family of five. Too small and you run out; too big and you pay to heat water you never use.
- Like-for-like or a change. Swapping electric for electric or gas for gas in the same spot is the simplest job. Changing type or location means extra pipework, gas or electrical work.
- Access. Units in tight spots, in roof spaces or up on the roof take longer to swap.
We'll give you a fixed price before any work starts, and there's no call-out fee during business hours. Ask for a quote or call 0413 904 259.
Rules for hot water in WA
New homes in WA need an energy-efficient water heater: a solar, heat pump or high-efficiency gas system. Hot water also has to be stored hot enough to stop bacteria growing, then cooled with a tempering valve before it reaches the bathroom so no one gets scalded. We install every system to the Australian standards and handle the compliance paperwork, so you don't have to.