Everything you need to know about water heater repairs
Water heaters ideally should be serviced yearly. This is a straightforward job which can dramatically extend the lifespan of your heater. I charge $160 and up for a standard service and it takes around an hour.
In the case of a water heater not working, then I will always check the condition to see if it is repairable. This can save you considerable expense!
Generally a non-functioning water heater can only be due to a few different things, and since I have plenty of experience with water heaters I’ll give you an idea of what these common problems are, and how they might be solved.
Things that go wrong most often:
No Hot Water
This could be due to a number of reasons, but the most common is that the “pilot light” is failing. If this is the case then the good news is that your water heater can generally be repaired.
Leaking Heater
If your water heater is leaking, don’t panic! It might not be the tank itself. It could be the connections above, the temperature and pressure relief valve or the hose bib at the bottom. If it is any of those things it’s repairable and can save you considerable expense. But if it is leaking I recommend addressing it as soon as possible.
Gas Leak
If you have a gas leak or smell gas. Switch off your gas. Call me or another qualified plumber immediately! This indicates a serious safety issue and must be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Generally repairs to a water heater can be completed within a few hours. Replacing a non-functioning or old water heater can be done within half a day and prices may vary depending on size and brand of the heater.