Water Heater Replacement
Planning a new tank or tankless heater.
How water heater problems are diagnosed
Most homes rely on a storage tank water heater that keeps a supply of water hot and ready. Gas models heat water with a burner under the tank and vent combustion products through a flue. Electric models use one or two heating elements controlled by thermostats. Although both look similar from the outside, the diagnosis is very different.
On gas water heaters, a common complaint is a pilot that will not stay lit or a burner that will not ignite. Causes range from a failing thermocouple or thermopile to a dirty burner assembly, a faulty gas control valve or a combustion air problem. Modern tanks include a flammable vapor sensing system, and a sealed combustion chamber that has been starved of air may lock out for safety. We test these parts rather than simply replacing them one after another.
A dripping relief valve is not always a bad valve. Sometimes it is doing exactly its job.
Electric water heaters most often lose hot water because an element or thermostat has failed, or because the high limit switch has tripped. That limit switch is a safety device. If it trips repeatedly, the underlying cause needs to be found. We test element resistance and thermostat operation with power safely isolated before recommending parts.
Sediment is a factor for both types. Minerals in the water settle at the bottom of the tank over time. On gas heaters, that layer can cause rumbling or popping sounds and reduce efficiency. On electric heaters, it can bury the lower element. Flushing may help, but heavy buildup on an older tank sometimes cannot be fully removed.
The temperature and pressure relief valve deserves special attention. It protects the tank from dangerous pressure and temperature. A valve that drips may be failing, or it may be responding to real pressure problems, such as thermal expansion in a closed plumbing system without an expansion tank. We identify which situation applies rather than just swapping the valve.
Gas water heaters must vent properly. We check draft at the flue, look for signs of backdrafting and confirm that the vent connector is intact. Carbon monoxide safety is part of every gas water heater call. If the tank itself is leaking, repair is not possible and our Water Heater Replacement page explains the next step.
Temperature settings are part of the conversation. Water that is too hot increases scald risk, especially for children and older adults, while settings that are too low may not keep up with demand. We check the thermostat setting, explain the tradeoffs and recommend installing a mixing valve where household needs call for higher storage temperatures.
Repairs are quoted at a flat rate before work starts. When a tank is older and facing an expensive repair, we tell you plainly so you can decide whether repair or replacement makes more sense.