Can a leaking hot water system be repaired, or does it need replacing?

It depends on where the leak is. A leak at a fitting, valve, or connection can often be repaired. But when the tank itself is leaking, the inner cylinder has usually corroded through and replacement is the only lasting fix. We check the source first before recommending either.

Why is water pooling under my hot water system?

Pooling water can come from the tank, the relief valve, or a pipe in the ground beneath the unit. On this Maroubra job the unit was leaking and a buried water line had also split. It is worth having both the unit and the surrounding pipework checked, not just the tank.

How long does a gas hot water system usually last?

Most gas storage systems last around 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality, usage, and maintenance. Replacing the sacrificial anode partway through can extend that life. Once a tank starts leaking from the cylinder itself, it has generally reached the end of its service life.

Does replacing a gas hot water system need a licensed plumber?

Yes. In NSW, work on gas and water connections must be done by a licensed plumber and gasfitter. It is not legal or safe as DIY. A compliant install also needs the correct relief and tempering valves, which a licensed plumber sets and certifies.

What should I do if my hot water system is leaking right now?

If you can safely reach them, turn off the water supply to the unit and shut off the gas, then call a licensed plumber. Catching a leak early helps prevent water damage to the wall and slab behind the unit, which is harder and costlier to put right later.

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Case study · 5 min read

Emergency hot water replacement, Maroubra

An emergency callout in Maroubra: a leaking 12-year-old hot water system, a burst pipe buried underneath, and a same-day Rheem gas replacement.

Adam Norton · 22 June 2026

Adam Norton from Norton Plumbing standing beside a newly installed Rheem gas hot water system in a brick side passage in Maroubra

We got the call to a home on Garrett Street in Maroubra: the hot water system was leaking and water was pooling at the base. When a storage tank starts leaking, it rarely stops on its own, so we headed straight out.

What we found

The existing gas unit was 12 years old and had reached the end of its life. The tank was leaking and water was running down the side passage, collecting against the brick wall and the slab. At that age a leaking cylinder is almost always past repair: the inner tank has corroded through, and no patch will hold it.

Old leaking gas hot water system standing against a brick wall in a Maroubra side passage, with water pooling at the base — The failed 12-year-old unit in the side passage. You can see the water pooling at the base, Garrett Street, Maroubra.

The bigger surprise was underground. While clearing the area we found a second fault: a buried water line running beneath the unit had split and was spraying underground. That is the kind of leak that quietly soaks a wall, lifts paint, and pushes up a water bill for months before anyone works out where it is coming from.

Plenty of Maroubra homes run the hot water unit down a narrow brick side passage, with the water and gas lines buried alongside it. So when water is pooling, it is worth checking the ground, not just the tank.

The fix

Two jobs in one visit. First the burst pipe: we dug it out, cut back to clean copper, and repaired the line so the ground stopped flooding.

Then the hot water replacement. We removed the old failed unit and installed a new Rheem gas storage system, with fresh copper connections and a compliant tempering valve so the water reaching the taps sits at a safe temperature. For what we cover, see our hot water services.

Adam Norton from Norton Plumbing in a branded polo connecting the copper fittings on a new Rheem gas hot water system in Maroubra — Connecting the new Rheem unit. Fresh copper and a compliant tempering valve replaced the old, failed install.

Why a leaking tank usually means replacement

When a leak is at a fitting or a valve, a repair is often enough. When the tank itself is leaking, the inner cylinder has generally corroded through, and there is no lasting patch for that. At that point a replacement is the safe call. We always check where the water is coming from before recommending one over the other.

Getting hot water work done safely

Hot water work in NSW is not DIY territory. Both the water and gas connections must be carried out by a licensed plumber and gasfitter, and the install has to meet the standards NSW Fair Trading sets for gas and plumbing work. A compliant job means the right gas connection, the correct relief and tempering valves, and a unit that is safe to run for the next decade.

If your hot water has gone cold, or there is water pooling where it should not be, that is worth a same-day look. We handle hot water repairs and replacements across Maroubra and the Eastern Suburbs, and we answer the phone around the clock for emergencies like this one.

Contact Norton Plumbing

Norton Plumbing is a family-run plumbing business serving Maroubra and the Eastern Suburbs since 2019. Adam Norton is our primary technician and holds NSW plumbing licence 397768C. Phone: 0477 858 951. Based at 10/11a-15 Berwick Street, Coogee NSW 2034. See our hot water service page for what a replacement involves.

Frequently asked

Common questions

Can a leaking hot water system be repaired, or does it need replacing?: It depends on where the leak is. A leak at a fitting, valve, or connection can often be repaired. But when the tank itself is leaking, the inner cylinder has usually corroded through and replacement is the only lasting fix. We check the source first before recommending either.
Why is water pooling under my hot water system?: Pooling water can come from the tank, the relief valve, or a pipe in the ground beneath the unit. On this Maroubra job the unit was leaking and a buried water line had also split. It is worth having both the unit and the surrounding pipework checked, not just the tank.
How long does a gas hot water system usually last?: Most gas storage systems last around 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality, usage, and maintenance. Replacing the sacrificial anode partway through can extend that life. Once a tank starts leaking from the cylinder itself, it has generally reached the end of its service life.
Does replacing a gas hot water system need a licensed plumber?: Yes. In NSW, work on gas and water connections must be done by a licensed plumber and gasfitter. It is not legal or safe as DIY. A compliant install also needs the correct relief and tempering valves, which a licensed plumber sets and certifies.
What should I do if my hot water system is leaking right now?: If you can safely reach them, turn off the water supply to the unit and shut off the gas, then call a licensed plumber. Catching a leak early helps prevent water damage to the wall and slab behind the unit, which is harder and costlier to put right later.

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