Hot water health check quiz · about 2 minutes

Repair or replace your hot water system?

Answer a few quick questions to understand the health of your system. Built by plumbers with 25+ years experience.

We'll show you where your system stands and whether it makes sense to maintain it, repair it to extend its life, or start planning for replacement.

Repair when it makes sense. Replace when it's the better long-term option.

Avoid making decisions under pressure, and being stuck with a costly emergency call-out.

Start the Quiz

Before you start (optional)

Handy to have: your system's age. Snap a photo of the data plate if you can. It's usually on the side of the tank, or the unit's front panel.

Can't find it? Just pick “Not sure” in the quiz.

Start the Quiz

Rinnai data plate showing the date of manufacture as 04.01.2008

Hot Water System Health Check Quiz

Outright·Plumbing

Takes 2 mins

Answer what you know to understand your hot water system.
Repairs extend life

If a repair or service can safely extend the life of your system, that's what we'll tell you.
Judged the way a plumber would

Your result weighs age, type, rust, noises, pressure and repair history, the same signals we check on site.

When your hot water plays up, you want advice you can trust.

We bring more than 25 years of hands-on experience servicing, repairing and replacing hot water systems across Melbourne.

Today we're proud to have 800+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, earned by giving customers honest advice, quality workmanship and reliable service.

★★★★★

We woke up 6am with no hot water. Within an hour of calling I received a call back from Tom, and within 3hrs they were onsite…

Before 12pm that day we had a new hot water system installed and the old one gone without a trace. Tom was completely honest from the get go, and left the site immaculate.

Michael Ioppolo

★★★★★

My mother had been quoted by another plumber for a replacement hot water system. I rang Outright Plumbing for another quote. Tom came out and had a look at it.

It needed to be replaced, and Tom was so helpful and gave my mum a better price. I highly recommend Outright Plumbing.

Darren Andrews

★★★★★

Tom installed my new hot water service in a very efficient and prompt way and he is very friendly.

He also explained all maintenance tips in a very clear manner.

Grace Long

★★★★★

Tom replaced our hot water system so quickly, efficiently and explained all we needed to know with such patience.

With kids at home and us in desperate need to have our hot water back, the friendly service was everything we needed. From our first contact with Courtney to the finished job with Tom, we could not fault one part of our experience.

Jess Enright

★★★★★

Tom did a great job replacing my hot water system today. From giving me options, explaining the options (with the associated costs), same day installation and ease of payment, I must say I'm impressed…

I felt like Tom was trustworthy and experienced from the get go, which is why I decided to go with Outright Plumbing.

Chris Lyons

Common questions

A few things people ask.

How long should a hot water system last?

It depends on the type. As a general guide, electric storage systems tend to last 10 to 15 years, gas storage 8 to 12, continuous flow 8 to 12, solar 8 to 12, and heat pumps 8 to 10. Age on its own doesn't mean a system needs replacing, but once a unit is past the top of that range, money spent on repairs is less likely to be money well spent.

There's rusty water coming from the hot tap. Is that serious?

Usually, yes. Rust in your hot water often means the inside of the tank is breaking down, and on an older system that generally points to replacement rather than repair. On a newer system it's worth having someone look before assuming the worst.

Water is pooling under my unit. What does that mean?

Take it seriously. Once water is pooling underneath, the tank has generally gone, and that applies at any age. A leak from a fitting is a much smaller job, which is why it's worth having it looked at rather than guessed.

Can my system be repaired instead of replaced?

Often, yes. On a storage system, parts like the thermostat, element or valves can usually be replaced, and a straightforward repair can add years to a unit that's otherwise sound. What can't be repaired is a failed tank. Continuous flow units don't have a tank, so there it depends which part has failed, and some heat pump faults need a refrigeration mechanic rather than a plumber. As a general rule, a system that has needed repeated call-outs, or is past the top of its expected lifespan, is usually one where another repair won't pay for itself.

Is the result a proper inspection?

No. It's an indicative read based on your answers, not a formal inspection. It's a good guide to whether you're fine, should keep an eye on things, or should start planning a replacement. If you want certainty, one of our plumbers will confirm it on site.

What happens after I finish it?

You answer nine short questions, add your details, and your result comes up straight away. If it says your system needs looking at, a licensed plumber will follow up to talk it through. No obligation.

How accurate is a two-minute quiz?

It weighs the same signals a plumber does: the age and type of your system, household size, rust, noises, leaks, pressure and repair history. That makes it a reliable indication rather than a guarantee. A look on site is what confirms it.