A: Water heaters are appliances many homeowners may not think about—until they’re not working. Then you’re stuck taking cold showers until a technician can make a hot water heater service visit. So it would make sense that many homeowners don’t actually know who fixes water heaters.
If your water heater is producing strange sounds like rattling and banging, the first professional you should call is a licensed plumber. Noises are some of the most common water heater issues, and they typically indicate sediment buildup in the tank. Luckily, this is a fairly easy problem for a water heater plumber to solve. Other common issues, like leaks around the heater or rusty water, also require someone who fixes hot water heaters, like a plumber. However, problems specific to electric hot water heaters, like tripped circuits, may require a visit from an electrician. If you’re looking for information on how to fix a hot water heater or who to call for water heater repair, the following guidance can help point you in the right direction.
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I’ve had my own run-ins with a noisy water heater, and let me tell you, it’s unsettling to hear those weird bangs in the middle of the night. From what I’ve learned, sediment buildup, which causes those noises, often comes from minerals in hard water settling at the bottom of the tank over time. A plumber can flush the tank to clear it out, which is a straightforward fix that can extend your heater’s life. If you’re in an area with hard water, like I am, you might want to consider installing a water softener to prevent this issue in the future. Regular maintenance, like flushing the tank every year or so, can also keep sediment at bay and save you from bigger headaches down the road.
In General, Licensed Plumbers Can Fix Water Heaters
The first call you should make when you notice problems with your water heater is a licensed plumber. These professionals are trained in a wide range of aspects related to water heaters, from wiring to piping, heating elements, anode rods, and gas lines. If your water heater wiring is the problem, a plumber will be able to fix it. They will also be able to provide solutions to a water heater leak, lack of hot water, low water pressure, rusty water, or strange noises coming from the heater.
In the case that you have a water heater leak near the fitting, the issue could be as simple as loose bolts that need to be tightened around the heating element. Plumbers should also be able to swap out any corroded valves or identify a faulty pilot light to fix a water heater with relative ease. However, if there’s corrosion in the tank itself, a plumber may try flushing the tank, or the tank might require complete replacement.
One thing I’ve noticed when dealing with plumbers is that their expertise really shines with these kinds of repairs. For instance, a friend of mine had a small leak around the base of her water heater, and she thought it was a goner. Turned out, it was just a loose fitting that took the plumber 20 minutes to tighten. If you’re facing something like rusty water, it’s often due to a worn-out anode rod, which acts like a sacrificial component to protect the tank from corrosion. Replacing it is a relatively cheap fix—usually under $100 for parts and labor—compared to a full tank replacement, which can run you $1,000 or more. My tip? Ask your plumber to check the anode rod during routine maintenance to catch issues early.
If the Water Heater’s Issue Seems to Be Electrical, You Can Reach Out to a Licensed Electrician
Homeowners with electric water heaters may want to consider hiring an electrician first, depending on the nature of the water heater issue. If the electric water heater is tripping the home’s circuit, this is likely a problem with the home’s wiring and not an issue with the heater itself. A blown or overheating water heater fuse box is also an indication that you need to call a licensed electrician. Loose wiring, which can also cause your water heater’s reset button to trip, is another issue that an electrician can tackle.
Water heater not working as it should? Maybe it’s time to call a repairman. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you. Find Pros Now
Electrical issues can be tricky, and I’ve seen this firsthand with an electric water heater that kept tripping the breaker. It wasn’t the heater but some old wiring in the house that couldn’t handle the load. An electrician sorted it out by upgrading the circuit, which cost about $200 but saved the heater from further damage. If you’re dealing with an electric water heater, it’s worth noting that these units draw a lot of power—sometimes up to 4,500 watts—so your home’s electrical system needs to be up to snuff. A quick tip: before calling an electrician, check your breaker panel to see if the reset button on the heater or the circuit itself has tripped. Sometimes a simple reset can do the trick, but if it keeps happening, don’t delay getting a pro involved.
There Are Several Signs Your Hot Water Heater Might Be in Need of Repair or Replacement
A traditional heater can last anywhere from 8 to 12 years, while a tankless water heater can last as long as 20 years before it needs to be replaced. Before searching for “hot water tank repair near me,” it’s beneficial to know how old your water heater is. To check the age of the heater, you can look at the appliance’s brand and serial number. Most brands include the manufacture date within the serial number, so you can cross-reference the brand’s numbering system with your serial number to decipher this information.
Regardless of what type of water heater you have, there are a few telltale signs that indicate when a water heater is beyond repair and it’s time to replace it. Lack of warm or hot water is the first sign that you may need a new heater altogether. Even the best plumbing services may not be able to solve this problem, especially if your heater is more than 10 years old.
A good rule of thumb is if you’re calling a technician for repairs every few weeks or months, you might be better off getting a new water heater. Newer models are also more efficient, so you’ll likely see a big savings on your bills if you upgrade. In any case, it’s wise to replace it before it fails to ensure you’re not left without hot water for a significant period of time.
Knowing when to pull the plug on an old water heater can save you a lot of hassle. I learned this the hard way when my 12-year-old unit started acting up, and I kept sinking money into repairs. Eventually, I upgraded to a tankless model, and my energy bill dropped by about 20%—not bad for a household that loves long showers! If you’re wondering about costs, replacing a traditional water heater typically runs between $800 and $2,000, depending on size and installation fees, while tankless models can start at $1,500. To figure out your heater’s age, check the serial number on the unit’s label; for example, Rheem often embeds the year in the first four digits. If your heater’s pushing a decade or more, start budgeting for a replacement to avoid getting stuck with cold water at the worst possible time.