Holiday‑Home Hot Water Hassles — What You Should Know Before You Go
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There’s nothing worse than driving hours to your bach, unpacking the gear, stepping into the shower, and getting blasted with ice-cold water.
Hot water cylinders at holiday homes have a tough life. Because they sit idle for weeks or months at a time, they suffer from problems that full-time residential cylinders rarely face—stuck valves, settled sediment, tripped elements, and cold-snap freeze damage.
Here is what usually goes wrong with bach hot water systems, how to troubleshoot the basics, and how to prep your system so it’s always ready when you arrive.
Why Bach Cylinders Act Up
Unlike your main home where hot water is constantly moving, a holiday home cylinder spends long stretches doing nothing.
Sediment Settles: Heavy minerals in the water drop to the bottom of the tank during quiet periods, forming a hard sludge layer over the bottom element.
Valves Seize Up: Expansion and pressure-relief valves rely on regular movement. Sitting idle makes internal rubber seals stick, freeze, or fail to seat properly when turned back on.
The “Forgot the Isolation Switch” Classic: The power or gas was turned off before leaving last time, but no one turned it back on early enough upon arrival—meaning a long wait for a full tank to heat.
Cold Snaps: In frosty regions (like the Central Plateau, inland Canterbury, or Otago), standing water in uninsulated pipes or exposed outdoor valves can freeze and burst while you’re away.
5-Minute Arrival Checklist: No Hot Water?
If you turn on the hot tap and get nothing, run through these quick checks before calling a plumber:
1. Check Power and Isolation Switches
At the Board: Look for a tripped hot water circuit breaker or blown fuse.
At the Cylinder: Check the local wall switch next to the cylinder. People often flick this off on their way out the door and forget it exists six months later.
Give it Time: An electric cylinder takes 2 to 4 hours to heat a full tank from freezing cold. Don’t panic if it’s still cold 20 minutes after turning the power back on.
2. Check Gas Supplies & Pilots
If you have a gas system or continuous-flow unit, check that the main gas bottle valve is open. Gas lines can air-lock or pilot lights can blow out over long empty stretches. Re-light according to the front panel instructions.
3. Check the Over-Temperature Trip Switch
Electric cylinders have a high-stat thermal cutout button on the element housing. If there was a power surge or a cold spike while vacant, this switch can trip out. (Note: Always isolate the power at the main board before opening any electrical covers).
4. Inspect the Pressure Relief Valve
Look at the drain pipe running outside from your relief valve. Is it dripping continuously or pouring water? Gently lift the test lever on the valve to clear any grit, then let it snap shut. If it keeps running, the seal has seized or failed.
How to Pack Up Your Bach (Preventing Future Headaches)
A few quick habits when leaving your holiday home will save you hundreds in emergency weekend plumber call-outs:
Short Trips (Leaving for a few weeks): Leave the water supply ON and turn the power to the cylinder OFF at the board. This prevents the element from burning out if there’s an unexpected water pressure drop, while saving power.
Winter Absences (Leaving for months in frost zones): If your bach is in a cold inland region, turn off the main water supply and consider isolating the cylinder. If pipes freeze while you’re away, turning off the main supply stops your property from flooding.
Flush the Tank Annually: Once a year, open the drain valve at the base of the tank for 30 seconds to blow out accumulated sediment and rust flakes. This keeps the element clear and extends tank life.
Upgrade Options for Intermittent Use
If your bach cylinder is over 15 years old and constantly giving you trouble every summer, it might be time to look at an upgrade:
Mains Pressure Stainless Steel: Stainless tanks don’t rely on sacrificial anode rods (which degrade rapidly when water sits stagnant), making them far better suited for intermittent use.
Gas Continuous Flow (Rinnai/Infinity): If your holiday home is only used a few weeks a year, keeping a massive cylinder hot can waste power. Gas calorifiers only heat water when you turn the tap on, so there’s zero heat loss while the house sits empty.
Got a stubborn hot water cylinder at your bach or need a pre-summer checkup? Give The Cylinder Guy team a call on 0800 234 800—we install and repair cylinders right across New Zealand so your holiday stays hassle-free.