When to Call a Plumber About a Faulty Appliance
Avoid the inconvenience of calling the wrong tradie for a faulty appliance. Here is a guide on when to call a plumber
Rebecca Senyard
26 May 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. A licensed plumber with more than 10 years' experience on the tools, passionate about sharing what I have learned to help with your new build or renovation. I also write an award-winning blog, The Plumbette.
Houzz Australia Contributor. A licensed plumber with more than 10 years' experience... More
It can be a common practice to blame a plumber for a faulty appliance after it has been installed. It can also be an incorrect assumption that a plumber can fix every faulty appliance they install. The reality is, plumbers run water pipes to the appliance and connect waste pipes from the appliance to the main drain point. They can follow the installation steps by the book, and yet, if the appliance is faulty, they won’t be able to do a thing about it.
If a plumber has an electrical license endorsement or has done the required appliance training, they may know what to do. But if they don’t (and most don’t) they will not be the best tradesperson to call when an appliance goes belly up.
If a plumber has an electrical license endorsement or has done the required appliance training, they may know what to do. But if they don’t (and most don’t) they will not be the best tradesperson to call when an appliance goes belly up.
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.
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.
Faulty appliances in the kitchen
The dishwasher: With all appliances, especially the dishwasher, a plumber’s job is to connect the water to the appliance and hook up the waste.
When it comes to a faulty dishwasher, however, your local plumber will not be the right person to contact. A brand-approved repairer is the best person to call. To find a local repair person with this brand recommendation, search online or contact the brand directly for numbers of local tradies who can assist.
Tip: Always check the warranty as the repair may be within the warranty period.
The dishwasher: With all appliances, especially the dishwasher, a plumber’s job is to connect the water to the appliance and hook up the waste.
When it comes to a faulty dishwasher, however, your local plumber will not be the right person to contact. A brand-approved repairer is the best person to call. To find a local repair person with this brand recommendation, search online or contact the brand directly for numbers of local tradies who can assist.
Tip: Always check the warranty as the repair may be within the warranty period.
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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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.
Plumbing Lingo: How to Talk to Your Plumber Like a Pro
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.
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.
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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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.
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
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.
Faulty appliances in the laundry
As I mentioned above, plumbers will have no clue how to service a washing machine (unless they have done the training and have an endorsement to prove they know what they’re doing). So if you have a fault with the machine itself, check the warranty and call the manufacturer for a service, or ask for the details of a local repairperson they recommend. Manufacturers will endorse certain tradies if they have done training and are knowledgeable about the brand’s appliances.
If there is no water running to the washing machine, a plumber will need to be called to replace the taps connecting the hoses.
As I mentioned above, plumbers will have no clue how to service a washing machine (unless they have done the training and have an endorsement to prove they know what they’re doing). So if you have a fault with the machine itself, check the warranty and call the manufacturer for a service, or ask for the details of a local repairperson they recommend. Manufacturers will endorse certain tradies if they have done training and are knowledgeable about the brand’s appliances.
If there is no water running to the washing machine, a plumber will need to be called to replace the taps connecting the hoses.
Faulty appliances can be a pain in the butt to deal with. We often want everything done now, so when technology fails, it can be a massive inconvenience costing both time and money to get it repaired.
Some faults can occur because of the incorrect installation of the appliance. Did you know that you can void the warranty of your appliance if you’ve installed it yourself? Many appliances that require a water and waste installation will specifically state a licensed plumber must install this appliance. Always ensure the right licensed trade is booked to do the installation to avoid a DIY fault not covered by warranty.
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Have you ever called a plumber who was unable to fix your faulty appliance? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
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Find a plumber in your area
Some faults can occur because of the incorrect installation of the appliance. Did you know that you can void the warranty of your appliance if you’ve installed it yourself? Many appliances that require a water and waste installation will specifically state a licensed plumber must install this appliance. Always ensure the right licensed trade is booked to do the installation to avoid a DIY fault not covered by warranty.
Tell us
Have you ever called a plumber who was unable to fix your faulty appliance? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
More
Find a plumber in your area
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Cas gas, not sure where you reside, but most delivery drivers will not install. They deliver only. For washing machines, if the services are there, the replacement is straightforward and they may do this for you. Not for dishwashers though. If they do install, you may find they have a license to install which you may pay extra to install.
Thank you for sharing your experience Bob. :) For me, I did what I could and called the professional when what I did didn't work. Coins and lint are a common problem in washing machines.