Hot Water Supply Restored in Carlton
Completed Job Summary
A residential hot water service was completed at an apartment in Carlton after the occupant reported brown hot water and requested a pressure assessment. The existing hot water unit was replaced, relocated to accommodate a washing machine installation, and associated plumbing, waste, and support works were completed before testing and commissioning.
12 May 2026
Byron Slabbert
Founder and Managing Director
81618
This job record is derived from first-party technician notes and the Simpro job management.
Customer report
The apartment occupant had recently moved in and reported issues with the hot water service. Brown water was observed from the hot water supply, and a pressure check was requested. The existing internal hot water unit was approximately 20 years old. The customer also intended to install a washing machine in the area occupied by the existing hot water unit, requiring changes to the plumbing layout and available space.
Diagnosis & Technical Assessment
The assessment identified an existing 125-litre electric hot water unit located internally in the apartment. The proposed installation required relocation of the replacement unit to create sufficient space beneath for a washing machine connection.
During planning, consideration was given to structural support requirements due to the revised hot water unit position. Shelf modifications and additional timber bracing were identified as necessary to support the installation. The existing waste arrangement was also assessed to allow for the addition of a washing machine trap connection and associated drainage pipework.
The plumbing scope included modifications to the hot and cold water services, the installation of a new tempering valve, a drip tray drainage connection, and the adaptation of existing pipework to suit the replacement unit. Electrical supply considerations were discussed with the customer, who advised that separate electrical works would be completed by their own electrician. Existing electrical connections associated with the hot water unit were disconnected and made safe as part of the plumbing works.
Testing and commissioning formed part of the installation process following completion of the replacement and associated plumbing modifications.
All work was completed in accordance with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulatory framework.
Solutions delivered
The existing hot water unit was removed and replaced with a Thermann 80L electric hot water system. The replacement unit was installed in a revised position to allow future installation of a washing machine beneath the hot water service.
Associated plumbing modifications included installation of a tempering valve, new pipework adaptations, and a Safeway tray with drainage connection. A washing machine plumbing connection was incorporated through the installation of a dedicated trap and cold-water connection point. Waste pipework was modified to accommodate the new arrangement, and an existing floor waste was capped using a 40mm in-pipe cap.
Additional structural support was provided through the installation of timber bracing and wall anchorage to support the revised installation arrangement. Pipework associated with the hot water system was reconfigured to suit the new layout, and the cupboard was reinstated following completion of works.
The replacement approach was selected to address the ageing hot water system while accommodating the customer’s intended laundry installation requirements within the available space.
Tools, Parts & Systems Used
- Thermann 80L electric hot water unit
- Tempering valve
- Safeway tray
- Washing machine mini stop
- 40mm solvent trap
- B-press
- Copper benders
- Hole saw
Outcome & Results
The hot water system replacement and associated plumbing modifications were completed at the Carlton apartment. The new Thermann 80L electric hot water unit was installed, connected, and commissioned, with supporting plumbing infrastructure completed to suit the revised layout.
Project completion records confirmed clean-up and final work checks following installation. Additional plumbing provisions were completed for the future washing machine connection, including waste and cold-water services, while structural support works were installed to accommodate the revised position of the hot water unit.
All work was carried out in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and safety requirements.
Repair vs Replacement
When an existing hot water system is approaching the end of its service life, replacement may be selected where broader installation requirements extend beyond a component repair. In this Carlton project, the work involved not only replacing the existing unit but also modifying the installation layout to create space for a future washing machine connection.
Replacement allowed associated plumbing infrastructure, including tempering valve installation, drainage connections, and pipework modifications, to be completed as part of a single project. Where property layouts change or additional plumbing fixtures are being added, replacement can provide an opportunity to reconfigure connected services at the same time.