Solved! Who Fixes Water Heaters?

Q: My water heater has recently started making weird noises. It’s a few years old, but I don’t think it’s ready to be replaced. Who fixes water heaters?

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.

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.

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.

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.