25/04/2026
Weβre starting to see this more often this time of year π
Mice nesting inside gas califonts π
This clientβs hot water system had been playing up β turns out a mouse had made itself at home inside the unit and used the internal circuit board as a toiletβ¦
π Result: faulty operation + circuit board replacement required
β οΈ Why this happens:
As the weather cools down, mice look for:
Warm, sheltered spaces
Protected enclosures (like califonts)
Dry areas near homes
Unfortunately, gas appliances tick all those boxes.
β What it can cause:
Intermittent faults
Complete system failure
Expensive component damage
Potential safety issues
βοΈ What to watch for:
Hot water cutting in and out
Error codes / unit not firing
Scratching noises (yep⦠seriously)
π‘ Tip:
If your califont is external, itβs worth:
Keeping the area clear
Checking for signs of nesting
Getting it looked at early if something feels off
Installed and repaired the Customised Plumbing and Gas way β sorted properly, not patched.
π Nelson / Tasman
π Get in touch if your hot water system isnβt behaving