Hot Water in a Heritage Terrace: Why Paddington Is Different
Most dwellings in Paddington are semi-detached or row houses and terraces, the majority of which (around 63.7%) are Victorian in origin and date from the 1870s to the early 1900s. The work required to replace or repair a hot water system in one of these heritage terrace houses is truly different from that performed in a modern house or apartment and the differences lie in space, rules and age.
Space first. A Paddington terrace is fairly long and narrow, has little or no side access, and has a small rear yard. Hot water systems don’t often have a nice big space to store them in, like a garage or plant area. The system must go somewhere, typically the courtyard, a laundry nook, or a very narrow exterior wall, and therefore, the size of the system and what kind of system will fit physically is limited.
Then the rules. Since 1968, Paddington has been a heritage conservation area (Australia’s first) and that imposes real limitations on what can be installed where, especially things that can be seen from the street. The installation of a large continuous flow unit or a heat pump on the street-facing face of a listed building is exactly what conservation controls are aimed at stopping. Systems will typically be sited where they will not impact the heritage streetscape, which usually means the back courtyard, not the front or a defining side wall.
And age. The pipework behind a Paddington terrace’s beautiful facade is often old, old galvanised or early copper, which can impact hot water flow, pressure and quality. It’s not much good having a shiny new system pumping through corroded century old pipe! We repair and replace hot water systems in Paddington’s terraces daily, and we take all these things into consideration, space, heritage restrictions and period pipework.
Paddington Hot Water: The Numbers
Paddington houses are mostly terraces, which is why narrow courtyards and heritage rules dictate where a system can go.
The installation of external units on heritage facades is now prohibited in Australia’s first conservation area, Paddington.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme rebate for replacing an electric system with a heat pump. Federal STCs add about $860.
Lifespan for a continuous flow system, longer than storage and a popular space saving option for tight terraces.
Sources: ABS Census (dwelling structure, Paddington); heritage conservation records; NSW Energy Savings Scheme; federal STCs.
Common Hot Water Problems We Fix in Paddington
From a quick element swap to a full heritage-aware replacement, here’s what we see most in Paddington terraces.
No Hot Water at All
The most frequent call. It is usually a failed element or thermostat on electric systems or a circuit breaker popping. When it comes to gas, it is often a problem with a pilot light that will not stay alight, a faulty thermocouple or gas valve. We do not guess at the problem, but we solve the problem and the majority of these repairs are completed within the same day, using parts located on the van.
Low Hot Water Pressure or Flow
A common complaint in terraces. Over a hundred years, corrosion in the aged galvanised pipe narrows it and constricts the flow, leaving the hot water to dribble even if the heater itself is fine. We determine whether it’s the system, the tempering valve or the old pipework causing the flow problem, and discuss the actual remedy rather than just replacing the heater.
Rusty or Discoloured Hot Water
If the hot water is brown or has rust stains, this is generally due to the anode rod being worn out and the tank is corroding from the inside (although in an old terrace it may be rust coming off the old galvanised supply pipe). We work out which it is. If caught in time, the replacement of the anode can prolong service life of the tank, while sections of the aged pipe may require replacement due to corrosion.
Leaking Tank or Fittings
Leaks through the fittings or valves are usually fixable. If the tank body has a leak, it’s most likely because the tank has corroded and must be replaced. If a leaking tank sits near period fabric, in a courtyard or shared laundry, we advise on repair or replacement urgently, as it can damage the shared wall or neighbouring fabric.
Water Too Hot or Not Hot Enough
If the temperature fluctuates from time to time, it may be a problem with the thermostat or a tempering valve that has been scaled up or seized. NSW law stipulates a maximum delivery temperature of 50°C of hot water to bathrooms, and it is almost universally fitted with a tempering valve which wears out over time. We test and replace as necessary.
Running Out Too Quickly
When hot water supply is reduced compared to the past, it may be due to sediment displacing tank capacity, a failing element or a system that is undersized for the household. A continuous flow hot water system is a good option for a space-constrained terrace as it can supply hot water without the need for a large tank. We diagnose the actual cause first.
Signs Your Paddington Hot Water System Is Failing
Most systems warn you before they die completely. Catching these early saves you from a cold-shower emergency in your terrace.
Rusty Water From the Hot Tap
If water from the hot tap comes out brown or discoloured (when the cold water is clear) it is a sign that the tank is corroded and the anode may have reached the end of its service life. Look at the supply pipe as well in an old terrace, as old galvanised can rust.
Dropping Hot Water Pressure
A common terrace cause is the hot side having gradually weakened, due to the internal corrosion and narrowing of the supply pipe, which is now century old and was galvanised. Worth diagnosing before concluding the system is the problem.
Water Pooling Around the Tank
Water in the area around the base of the tank has to be addressed. Early signs of a slow leak from the tank could be a fitting; if it’s a continuous leak from the tank body, it will need replacing. Don’t let a courtyard tank drain against heritage walls.
The System Is Over 10 Years Old
The storage tanks can be used for 8-12 years. If more than a decade old and showing symptoms, it’s better to replace it than have an emergency failure, particularly in winter and particularly where heritage siting needs thought.
Fluctuating Temperature
If the water swings hot and cold, it points to a defective thermostat or tempering valve. Both can be fixed, but if left untreated, can leave you without any hot water.
Rising Energy Bills
When a system becomes less efficient, due to sediment, a scaling element or age, it requires more energy to produce the same amount of hot water. If your bill is creeping up while your usage hasn’t changed, an inefficient hot water heater could be the cause.
Choosing a Replacement: What Works in a Paddington Terrace
Electric Storage
Simplest SwapA common system in Paddington terraces, particularly if you have a laundry nook or a courtyard corner where the tank can be placed. Easiest to replace and the cheapest installation. The disadvantage is the expense of running them and the fact they can take up a lot of space in an already restricted terrace. Keep up to date on anodes and you’ll enjoy full tank life.
Gas Continuous Flow
Space-SavingTypically the ideal choice for a Paddington terrace. Many terraces are already connected for gas, and a wall-mounted continuous flow heater provides hot water on demand without taking up any floor space, and will free up a lot of space in a small house! Lifespan of 15-20 years. The most important factor is placement, typically in the back of the house; it must not affect the heritage streetscape.
Heat Pump
Lowest Running CostThe most energy efficient choice, and thus the most generous rebates, up to $640 from the NSW Energy Savings Scheme and approximately $860 in federal STCs to replace electric. The conundrum of a heritage terrace: a heat pump has a large outdoor unit that needs airflow around it and makes some noise, and it can’t go anywhere that would affect the heritage facade. It can work with a suitable rear courtyard, depending on the terrace’s space and siting.
Solar Hot Water
Heritage-SensitiveSolar potential is also good in Paddington, but there are some conservation issues to consider: if the panels are to be mounted on the roof, they may not be allowed on the front side of a prominent roof; a rear-roof installation may be fine. We measure your roof, the street view, and the heritage controls before you invest in solar so you’re not spending money on something that will not be approved.
Heritage Rules and Where Your System Can Go
A hot water system is an external change, and it can’t intrude on Paddington’s streetscape, because this is Australia’s first conservation area. It’s something many Paddington owners don’t expect when it comes time to replace a system.
The rule of thumb is that any installation visible from the street is the sort of change the conservation measures are meant to control: a large continuous flow unit, a heat pump, solar panels on the street-side roof. A unit attached to a heritage frontage or side wall ruins exactly the streetscape the conservation area aims to protect.
Typically, this means the hot water system is installed at the back in a courtyard, on an L-shaped portion of a roof, or on a roof section hidden from the streetview. The replacement of an existing approved site with a like-for-like is relatively easy. Changing the type, size or placement, particularly towards the street, requires thought and sometimes council approval. We know how to ensure systems are sited in a way that will function, but not be at the expense of the heritage character, and will alert you to any systems that require approval before you commit.
The Period Pipework Behind the System
When replacing your hot water system in a Paddington terrace, one aspect that can be overlooked is the pipework that supplies it. These houses are more than 100 years old and the supply pipes were frequently made of old galvanised steel or early copper, in the walls for generations.
Over the decades, galvanised pipes have the tendency to corrode and reduce their inner diameters. That internal corrosion can seriously restrict flow by the time the pipe is a hundred years old (weak hot water pressure even on a perfectly functioning heater). Installing a brand new system into old, clogged supply pipe results in a new system functioning at the capacity of the old pipe.
We evaluate connecting pipework as part of replacing a hot water system in a Paddington terrace. Sometimes the pipe is fine; sometimes a short feed section needs replacing so you get the full benefit of the new system while we’re here. We’ll be honest with you, there’s no need to wonder why the new heater doesn’t produce hot water: we’ll tell you what we find.
How a Hot Water Call-Out Works
Tell us the symptom, no hot water, weak pressure, rusty water, or leak, and if you know the type of system. We send a plumber to your terrace.
We locate the actual problem (element, thermostat, anode, valve, pilot or old pipework restricting flow) and clearly explain what it is, along with any siting concerns relating to heritage.
A fixed price is quoted prior to work. Where practicable, repairs are carried out on site, or we replace with a system that suits your terrace and honours the heritage restrictions.
We test it all, clean it up and give a written report and warranty specifications, handy for landlords, owners, and your records.
What Our Customers Say
“We had no hot water and they advised against a heat pump for our terrace, but after some research and working out a new system at the back which didn’t affect the front of the house, we had it installed the same day and it was brilliant.”
“Diagnosed quickly and accurately, explained what was wrong, not a lot of pricing tricks and fixed price, knowledgeable, honest. Worked out, our weak hot water was not the heater, it was the old pipe.”
“Helped us consider the alternatives for our terrace without pressuring us, and dealt with our rebate nicely. Very low price, highly recommended.”
Hot Water Repair Paddington: Frequently Asked Questions
Other Paddington Plumbing Services
We also handle these common Paddington jobs.
Emergency Plumber:
Burst pipes, gas leaks, flooding and urgent terrace repairs throughout Paddington, 24/7.
Blocked Drains:
Tree roots, old earthenware drains, sewer backups and CCTV inspection throughout Paddington.
Hot Water Service Areas Near Paddington
We repair and replace hot water systems across Paddington and all surrounding Eastern Suburbs locations.
No Hot Water in Paddington?
Stop putting up with cold showers or weak pressure. We repair and replace all systems, installed on your terrace and respecting the heritage, same day where possible.
