When to Call a Plumber About a Faulty Appliance

Recently my washing machine stopped spinning. I knew it was something I couldn’t fix, so I organised for the right trade (who services my brand of washing machine) to come out and have a look at it. When I was sharing this incident with a friend, she scoffed at me and said, “But Bec, you’re a plumber. You should be able to fix your own washing machine!” I explained to her that I could not and most plumbers wouldn’t know how to either.

So when do you call a plumber on a faulty appliance? How do you know which service person to call, so you can avoid being charged unwarranted call out fees? Here is a handy explanation so you can call the correct tradie, the first time.

What plumbers can fix
Generally, any appliances a plumber supplies and installs can be serviced by that plumber. Appliances such as hot water units and boiling/chilled water units are the main appliances plumbers may be able to fix if there is a fault. If they are unable to fix the fault, they will organise a service from the manufacturer or supplier, or supply and install a new appliance.

The boiling/chilled water unit: A boiling/chilled water unit is an appliance that is usually supplied and installed by the plumber. If there is an electrical fault, a service call to the manufacturer will be warranted.

If the boiling/chilled water unit requires a service or change in filter (usually the light will turn on the tap to indicate it’s time for a filter replacement) a plumber will be able to do this work for you.

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The gas stovetop: If your gas stovetop has stopped working, check firstly that you have gas. Once you’ve checked the gas is on, a licensed gas plumber will need to be called to check the connections and gas jets.

Tip: In some instances, the appliance might not be fixable and may need to be replaced. Instead of ringing around to do quotes, use the plumber who is there to do the replacement for you. The only thing you will need to organise is a replacement stove.

Garbage disposal system: The main reason a garbage disposal system becomes faulty is because it’s blocked. Usually a plumber is the person called out, and generally, if the blockage can’t be fixed, the plumber will disconnect the appliance and reconnect the sink waste to suit a new plug and waste.

Tip: Advise your plumber when you make the call about your garbage disposal, so they can ensure they bring out a spare (if you want it replaced) or have the right-sized plug and waste to install in the larger sink hole. They may also need to bring a double bowl connector to connect two sinks.

Faulty appliances in the bathroom
The hot water unit: Generally, a hot water unit will be installed outside a property, in a duct or in the ceiling in a multi-residential dwelling. But it mainly affects the bathroom because hot showers instantly disappear with no hot water.

The reasons for a faulty hot water unit will depend on what type of hot water unit you have. An instantaneous gas hot water unit may have a fault due to carbon build-up and lack of maintenance services. Hot water units should be serviced annually, but it’s a check-up most residents avoid because it incurs another bill. And if something ain’t broke, why call someone to fix it?

But all hot water unit manuals will request an annual service to prolong the life of the unit. Electric hot water units could have faulty valves, a faulty anode or a burst cylinder. A burst cylinder is an indication of a full hot water unit replacement.

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When to call a plumber on your faulty hot water unit: This is a general guide on when to call a plumber for a faulty hot water unit.

• If the hot water unit is still within it’s warranty period, call the manufacturer for a service call-out.
• If the hot water unit is out of the warranty period and the water coming from the hot tap is cold, this is a sign that the element needs to be replaced. In this instance, an electrician will be required, not a plumber.
• When in doubt, there are plumbers who have an electrical licence who are able to do both the plumbing and electrical service on a hot water unit. The best way to find a plumber with these licences is to ask them at the time of booking a call-out. Their endorsements may also be advertised on their Facebook page or website.

Faulty solar hot water unit: A plumber with a licence endorsed to service and maintain solar hot water units is the correct tradesperson to call for a faulty solar hot water unit. Not all plumbers are knowledgeable in solar hot water units, so it’s important to call a plumber with this endorsement. In some cases, a replacement will need to be installed if the unit is old and cannot be repaired.