At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we provide expert hot water repairs, replacements, and installations—carried out by licensed professionals with over 100 years of trusted experience. We get your system working properly, without the hassle.
A faulty hot water system can affect comfort, increase power bills, and cause property damage. You might notice water running cold, low pressure at the taps, or unusual smells. These are often signs of internal faults like broken thermostats, worn-out heating elements, or corrosion inside the tank.
In homes, a broken system can disrupt showers, kitchen use, and laundry routines. In commercial properties, it can interrupt daily operations and lead to hygiene concerns. If left unchecked, small faults can turn into full system breakdowns and water damage.
Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas provides expert hot water maintenance and servicing across Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, and Northern Buller. We work with all major systems—gas, electric, solar, and continuous flow—and use the right tools to catch faults early and keep your setup working properly. A typical hot water maintenance service includes:
Need ongoing servicing to avoid hot water issues? Contact us today to book a maintenance check and keep your system in top condition.
Not all hot water systems are the same. Each type runs on a different energy source and delivers hot water in its own way. Choosing the right system depends on your property, usage needs, and energy setup. Here’s how the main types work:
Electric Hot Water System
Electric systems heat water using internal elements, similar to how an electric jug works. These are common in homes where gas isn’t available or in properties needing a straightforward, low-maintenance setup. They’re usually installed with a hot water cylinder and come in low or mains pressure versions. While reliable, they can be slower to heat and may cost more to run over time compared to gas or solar.
Gas Hot Water System
Gas systems use burners to heat water and are known for fast recovery and strong pressure. Continuous flow (califont) models heat water only when needed—no storage cylinder required—making them efficient and space-saving. Cylinder-based gas systems are also available for households with high usage. If you already have gas onsite, this can be a cost-effective way to get consistent hot water year-round.
Solar Hot Water System
Solar hot water systems use rooftop panels to collect heat from the sun, reducing your reliance on electricity or gas. Most setups include a booster element to ensure hot water is available on cloudy days. These systems cost more upfront but offer long-term savings on power bills, especially in regions with good sun exposure. Regular checks help keep panels and boosters working at full efficiency.
Mains vs Low Pressure
Hot water systems in New Zealand run on either mains pressure or low pressure. Mains pressure delivers strong flow from all taps and suits modern plumbing setups, especially mixers and multiple outlets running at once. Low pressure systems deliver less force and are often found in older homes. Choosing the right pressure type affects both water flow and appliance compatibility.
Not sure what system you have or what would suit your property best? Tuffnell Plumbing can assess your setup and recommend the most efficient system for your needs.
Hot water systems can often be repaired—but at a certain point, fixing the same issues over and over stops making sense. Here’s how to tell when a full replacement is the better option. At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we assess your system properly and give you a clear recommendation based on performance, cost, and safety.
Unsure whether to repair or replace? Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas will inspect your system and give you straightforward advice—no pressure, just the facts.
Homes, rentals, and businesses across Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, and Northern Buller rely on hot water systems for comfort, hygiene, and daily use. Over time, systems can fail due to age, worn-out parts, internal corrosion, or thermostat faults—leading to cold water, low pressure, or system leaks if not fixed promptly.
Regular servicing and early repairs help prevent breakdowns, protect water quality, and extend the life of your system. At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we provide expert hot water repairs, maintenance, and full system replacements for gas, electric, solar, and continuous flow setups. Whether it’s a leaking valve, failed element, or cylinder installation—we’ll get it sorted quickly and properly, with no mess and no delays.
We provide hot water system services throughout:
We’re trusted by homeowners, rural clients, and commercial sites across Nelson and Tasman region. When your hot water system fails, you need a team that shows up on time, knows what they’re doing, and gets it sorted properly. That’s exactly what we offer—every job, every time.
Hot water problems don’t go away on their own—and when systems fail, it usually happens without warning. Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas delivers fast, reliable repairs handled by licensed professionals who know what to look for and how to fix it properly.
If your hot water only works sometimes, your hot water cylinder might have a faulty thermostat, a failing element, or an issue with the timer or power supply. Inconsistent heating can also be caused by sediment buildup inside the tank or loose wiring.
These issues not only get worse over time but can also reduce energy efficiency and lead to full system failure. At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we check the water heater properly, find the fault, and get it sorted so your system runs reliably and efficiently.
If your hot water system is leaking, turn off the power supply (electric or gas) to prevent further damage or safety risks. Then shut off the water supply to the cylinder to stop the leak. Avoid using the system until it’s been checked by a licensed plumber. You can contact Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas for a fast inspection and reliable repairs—handled properly by our experienced professionals.
The cost to repair a water heater typically ranges from $150 to $600, depending on the fault. Smaller jobs like replacing a valve or thermostat cost less, while fixing elements, internal leaks, or older systems can be more. If parts are worn out or the system is nearing the end of its life, a replacement might be the better option. At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we explain what’s needed and give you a clear quote before any work starts.
Yes, hot water systems should be serviced regularly—especially if they’re older or use a heat pump. Servicing helps keep everything running as designed, prevents breakdowns, and can extend the life of the system. It also ensures safety valves and temperature controls are working properly. At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we carry out full system checks to make sure your hot water setup is running safely and efficiently.
Yes, we can fix hot water issues in older homes with low pressure systems. These setups often have ageing pipework, outdated valves, or cylinders that are no longer working efficiently. We repair faults where possible or recommend upgrades that suit the plumbing in older properties.
At Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas, we work on all types of systems and tailor the repair to match the home and setup.
Providing trusted plumbing, drainage, and gasfitting solutions across the Nelson and Tasman regions for over 110 years.
Our team of licensed professionals is committed to fast, reliable service backed by industry expertise and local knowledge. Whether you need emergency plumbing, hot water repairs, or expert drainage solutions, we’re here to help — whenever you need us.
