Most Dubai apartments and many villas use electric storage water heaters, usually mounted in a ceiling void, a utility cupboard or on the roof. They work hard, especially in winter, and Dubai’s water and heat take a toll on them over time.
Common problems and what they mean
| Symptom | Likely cause | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water at all | Failed element, thermostat or tripped safety cut-out | Repair |
| Heater trips the breaker | Element short-circuiting or moisture in the wiring | Repair, if the tank is sound |
| Water is only warm | Thermostat fault or one element failed | Repair |
| Rusty or discoloured hot water | Corroded tank or failed anode | Replace if the tank is corroded |
| Water leaking from the tank body | Tank has corroded through | Replace |
| Rumbling or popping noises | Scale build-up at the bottom of the tank | Flush, or replace if old |
When repair makes sense
If the tank is less than about eight years old and is not leaking, a failed element, thermostat or safety cut-out is usually a straightforward repair. Parts for common heater brands in Dubai are readily available, so it can often be done in one visit.
When to replace
- The tank itself is leaking. A corroded tank cannot be repaired safely
- The heater is more than ten years old and has started to fail
- Hot water is rusty even after the anode has been checked
- You have had repeated repairs in the last year or two
- The heater is too small for the household
A leaking heater in a ceiling void is urgent. Switch off the heater at its isolator, close the cold water supply valve to it and call for help before the ceiling below is damaged.
What a replacement involves
We drain and remove the old heater, fit the new one with a new safety valve and connections, test it, and take the old unit away. Most standard replacements in apartments take two to three hours.
One of our customers in Autograph, JVC, Melisha Perera, wrote that we replaced her water heater tank at a very reasonable price, with excellent finishing, and on time.
Keeping a heater healthy
- Set the thermostat to around 60 degrees: hot enough to be safe, not so hot it wastes energy
- Have the safety valve checked during routine maintenance
- Flush the tank every year or two to remove scale
- Do not ignore small drips from the valve or pipework
Need a heater checked or replaced? See our plumbing services for prices, or send us a photo of the heater label on WhatsApp so we can bring the right parts.