Hot Water Systems

It depends on what failed and how old the tank is. A failed valve, element or thermostat on a system under about eight years old is usually worth repairing. A leak from the tank itself means the cylinder has corroded through, and replacement is the only honest fix.

Age matters because storage tanks typically last roughly eight to twelve years. Spending several hundred dollars repairing a system already at the end of its life rarely makes sense, but nor does replacing a young system over a cheap part. Anthony diagnoses the actual fault first and gives you costs for both paths where both are realistic, so the decision is yours with real numbers.

As a rough guide, a one or two person household runs comfortably on a 125 to 160 litre electric storage tank, three to four people suit 250 to 315 litres, and larger households or homes with big bathtubs are better at 315 litres or above. Gas storage runs smaller because it recovers faster, and continuous flow units are sized by flow rate rather than storage.

The right answer also depends on your tariff, roof space, gas supply and how your household actually uses hot water. Anthony sizes the system for your home rather than just fitting whatever is on the truck, which is how you avoid both cold showers and paying to heat water you never use.

Usually within the day for common electric and gas storage systems, subject to supplier stock. Anthony carries the fittings for standard changeovers and sources tanks from local suppliers, so a like-for-like replacement is often running again the same day you call.

If your system is repairable, you will be told that too. Sometimes a valve or element fixes it for a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Where replacement is the honest answer, the old unit is disconnected and taken away as part of the job.

Yes. Anthony is a licensed gas fitter as well as a plumber, covering both natural gas and LPG. That includes new appliance installations, cooktops, heaters and hot water, gas line runs, leak detection and repairs, pressure testing and compliance certificates.

Having one licence holder for both trades means jobs that involve water and gas, like a kitchen renovation or a hot water changeover, are done in one visit by one person instead of juggling two trades.

You get a clear quote before work starts, not a surprise afterwards. For straightforward jobs Anthony can usually quote from a phone call and a photo or two. Bigger jobs like renovations, septic systems or tank installations get a site visit and an itemised written quote.

If something unexpected turns up once the work is open, you hear about it and approve the change before it happens. Where a repair is only going to buy you time, Anthony will tell you that up front, with rough costs for the longer-term fix, so you can make the call with real numbers in front of you.

Anthony Martin Plumbing is based in Lake Cathie and works across the whole Mid North Coast, including Bonny Hills, Laurieton, North Haven, Dunbogan, Camden Head, West Haven, Kendall, Kew and Lakewood, plus the southern side of Port Macquarie.

Being local matters for more than convenience. Response times are shorter, travel costs stay out of your bill, and Anthony knows the housing stock in the area, from older fibro cottages on galvanised pipe through to new builds in the estates. If you are just outside these areas, call anyway. If the job suits, Anthony will travel for it.