Your Water Heater Repair or Maintenance questions, answered
Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much does water heater repair cost?
Water heater repair costs$150 to $700 on average. Water heater service costs $100 to $350 to replace the heating element, thermocouple, igniter, anode rod, dip tube, or thermostat. Tankless water heater maintenance costs $75 to $300, and tankless repairs cost $300 to $1,300. Water heater flushing costs $75 to $250. Leaking tanks typically require replacing the water heater for $600 to $1,800.
What are the signs a hot water heater is going out?
Signs a water heater is going bad:
Rusty, discolored, or metallic-tasting water
Loud clanging, knocking, gurgling, or whining noises
Hot water that runs out quickly
Low water pressure
Foul odor coming from hot water
Low or irregular water temperature, or no hot water at all
Leaks at the base of the tank or around the pipes at the top of the tank
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
Tank water heaters last 8 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters last 10 to 20 years. Consider replacing a water heater over 10 years old or if the repair costs are more than 50% of the replacement cost.
Most tank water heater warranties cover parts for 6 to 12 years, depending on the brand. Tankless water heater warranties last 5 to 15 years.
Plumbing companies fix most water heater problems, including leaks, strange noises, rusty water, low water pressure, or no hot water. Hire a residential electrician instead if the unit trips the circuit breaker, overheats the water heater's fuse box, or has loose wiring that trips the unit's reset button.
How long do hot water heaters last?
Tank hot water heaters last 8 to 15 years on average. Tankless water heaters last 10 to 20 years on average.
Can I repair a water heater myself?
Homeowners with plumbing experience may perform common water heater repairs such as replacing the anode rod, dip tube, thermocouple, pressure relief valve, or flushing the tank. However, manufacturer warranties and local building codes may require a licensed plumber to make repairs.
How to find water heater services near me?
Finding a reputable plumber requires planning, researching, and asking questions. To hire the best:
Get at least three estimates from plumbers to compare.
Look for plumbers with experience repairing tank or tankless water heaters.
Select companies that are licensed, insured, and bonded.
Check out their reviews and previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask about their guarantees and warranties.
Get an itemized estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Avoid making payments upfront. Pay after repairs are completed.
What questions should I ask a water heater repair service?
When looking to hire a plumber near you, ask them the following questions:
Which part of my water heater is malfunctioning?
Should I repair the water heater or replace it instead, and why?
How much longer will the water heater last after repairs, and what can I do to make it last longer?
Which type of water heater do you have the most experience repairing?
How long will the repairs take?
What additional costs should I expect?
Does a warranty cover the new parts?
Do you provide a warranty on the repairs?
What does your water heater tune-up service include?
What payment methods do you accept?
What do I need to provide to get started?
Reviews for Philadelphia water heater repair services
Recent success stories from people in the Philadelphia area.
Dinh
This company is awesome. They do what they say and finish the job in a very timely manner. i have had multiple full renovation with them and I have to say by far the best I ever had.
Gamboa Construction
Joe G.
Gavin was on time and cleaned up nicely and respected our home
Gavin’s pro plumbing
Rochelle F.
Retro plumbing responded to my inquiry very quickly. The service was fast and very neat and the plumber was knowledgeable and friendly. My job was completed nicely and neatly. I had no clean up.
Retro Plumbing. Co
Dennis S.
very prompt response
SC Electric
Lisa L.
George did a marvelous job on my lawn taking down my tree stumps.
Absolute Contracting LLC
Margie S.
We have had nothing but great service from Mr. Dunphy. We have used his service at least four times in the past year regard our aging church on different matters from replacing old heating pipes to our drains. He completed all tasks quickly and solved our problems. He was respectful of our property and cleaned up the work site when done. I highly recommend Mr. Dunphy.
M. T. D. Drains. L. L. C.
Scott V.
I want to start with them guys we’re Very professional on time polite and courteous the work they did at my houseI felt as though they were working on their own house you did a great job thank you again Niard drain
Niard Drain LLC
Nick F.
My heater went down in the middle of the night on Friday. I called these guys Saturday morning.
EMCO technician came to my house on Saturday within 3 hours after I called their office. He checked my heater and the outside compressor and found that thermocouple was bad. The whole service was really honest and the price was reasonable. Tech didn’t push any extra services and was really honest with diagnostic and repair that was needed. Thank you
EMCO Tech
How HomeGuide works
Search
Search, get cost estimates, contact pros, and book—all for free.
Compare
View profiles, read reviews, check qualifications, and see prices before hiring.
Hire
Ask questions, confirm their availability, and hire the right pro when you're ready.
Nearby water heater repair services in and around Philadelphia