$150–$650
Water heater repair
Any tank or tankless heater that is acting up: weak hot water, odd smells, tripping breakers, error codes.
Calls answered 24/7
Water heater trouble?Know the fix before you pay for it.
Cold showers, a puddle under the tank, a pilot that will not stay lit. Most water heater problems come down to one part, and most repairs cost less than people fear. Call to reach a licensed local plumber, day or night.
(000) 000-0000- Licensed local plumbers
- Tank, tankless and heat pump
- Price ranges up front
- Free to call
Diagnose it
Is it the tank or just a part?
Match what you are seeing to the likely cause. If the answer is a part, a repair is usually worth it. If it is the tank, start thinking about a replacement.
| What you see | Likely cause | Part or tank? |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot lights but will not stay lit | Thermocouple or thermopile | Part |
| Electric tank, no hot water at all | Upper element or reset switch | Part |
| Hot water runs out after a few minutes | Lower element, dip tube or sediment | Part |
| Popping and rumbling while heating | Sediment on the tank floor | Maintenance |
| Drip from the relief valve pipe | Worn valve or high pressure | Part |
| Water seeping from under the jacket | Tank rusted through | Tank |
| Rusty water from hot taps only | Spent anode, tank corroding | Tank, soon |
| Tankless shows an error code | Scale, ignition or flow sensor | Part |
Problems and prices
What we can help with
Every problem below has its own page with causes, the repair process and a realistic price range.
$150–$500
No hot water or lukewarm water
Cold showers, water that only gets warm, or hot water that runs out after five minutes.
$150–$600
Leaking water heater
A puddle under the tank, a dripping relief valve, or water trickling from the top fittings.
$150–$650
Pilot won't stay lit
Gas heaters with a pilot that goes out, a burner that will not fire, or a blinking status light.
$150–$400
Electric heater not heating
Burned-out elements, a reset button that keeps tripping, or thermostats that read wrong.
$200–$900
Tankless repair and descaling
Error codes, cold-water sandwiches, ignition failures and scaled heat exchangers on on-demand units.
$1,200–$3,500
Water heater replacement
Same-day swaps for failed tanks, upgrades to tankless or heat pump, and code updates done right.
$100–$300
Popping, rumbling or a flush
Tanks that pop, knock, hiss or rumble, and annual flushes that keep sediment from shortening tank life.
Right now
Before the plumber gets there
A few minutes of the right steps limit damage and make the visit faster.
- Cut the heatGas knob to OFF, or switch off the electric heater's breaker. Never let an electric tank run empty with power on.
- Close the cold inletThe valve on the pipe into the top of the tank. Clockwise for a round handle, a quarter turn for a lever.
- Catch the waterTowels, a pan or a hose from the drain valve to a floor drain. Move anything that can soak it up.
- Read the labelBrand, gallons, fuel and the serial number. The serial tells the plumber how old the heater is.
Replacing?
Tank, tankless or heat pump
When the old heater is done, these are the three realistic choices. Each suits a different kind of household. See the ten-year cost comparison.
Tank
- Installed
- $1,200–$3,500
- Typical life
- 8–12 years
- Best for
- Most homes, tight budgets, quick swaps
- Watch for
- Running short with a growing family
Tankless
- Installed
- $2,500–$6,500
- Typical life
- 15–20 years
- Best for
- Endless hot water, small spaces, long stays
- Watch for
- Gas line size and yearly descaling
Heat pump
- Installed
- $2,800–$6,000 before rebates
- Typical life
- 10–15 years
- Best for
- All-electric homes with garage or basement space
- Watch for
- Needs room and air above about 40°F
Local water
Your water decides how long your heater lasts
Hard water drops minerals every time it is heated. In a tank they pile up on the bottom, overheat the steel and kill electric elements. In a tankless unit they coat the heat exchanger. Soft-water cities can see tanks pass twelve years; very hard-water cities often replace them in eight. Every city page here lists the local water source and its hardness.
Soft <1 gpgModerate 3.5–7Very hard 10.5+
Before you call
How much does water heater repair usually cost?
Most repairs land between $150 and $650 including the visit. Replacing a standard tank usually costs $1,200 to $3,500 installed.
Can someone come out tonight?
Calls are answered 24/7, and many plumbers offer evening and weekend visits. After-hours rates are usually higher, so if the heater is off and the water is stopped, a morning visit can save money.
Do you work on tankless water heaters?
Yes. The plumbers you reach handle tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters, including descaling, error codes and conversions.
Is the call free?
Yes, calling is free. Ask the plumber about their service call fee and the likely price range before booking a visit.
How do I know the plumber is licensed?
Ask for their license number on the phone and check it with your state's licensing board. Any professional will give it without hesitation.