Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

When is it time to replace a water heater?

Although regular water heater maintenance and water heater repair may extend the life of your hot water heater, it won’t last forever. Most water heaters have a life expectancy of about 10 years. Many water heaters need to be replaced when they’re 8-12 years old — that’s when they start to show signs of fatal wear, such as leaking around the base of the tank. A water heater should be replaced when it fails to sufficiently heat water for the home; if your heater is operating erratically, check first for a blown fuse or a tripped breaker to make sure an electrical issue isn’t causing the problem. Another time to replace a water heater is when you want to upgrade to either a larger model or a more energy-efficient one.

Who can fix a water heater?

When a water heater stops running effectively, it’s best to hire a water heater repair professional to troubleshoot the problem. Whether it’s a plumbing company that offers water heater repair services or a provider specializing in water heater repair and maintenance, most repair companies offer same-day service as well as weekend and after-hours emergency calls. Usually, water heater repair professionals are experts in both electric and gas systems, as well as tank and tankless heaters, and can repair any kind of unit.

Why is my hot water not working?

The most common complaint among homeowners is that their hot water isn’t working — and the water heater is generally the culprit. Typically, it isn’t making the water as hot as you’d like it to be. When the water isn’t hot enough — or isn’t hot at all — run through this troubleshooting checklist for basic water heater repair tasks:

Make sure the power is connected to the heater, then reset the thermostat.
If it’s a gas water heater, make sure the pilot light is lit.
Raise the temperature setting on the thermostat.

If these stops don’t lead to hot water, it’s time to either check the heating element in an electric water heater or the burner unit and gas control valve in a gas-powered heater. A water heater repair and maintenance company can handle these repair jobs. However, if your hot water heater is eight years or older, it may be time to replace the water heater instead of repairing it.

How much do new water heaters cost?

The cost of a new water heater depends largely on the type and size of the heater. The average national cost for a new water heater installation including a 40- to 50-gallon tank is $350-$780. Most homes don’t need larger tanks, but they are available — for a price. The average difference between a 50-gallon tank and a 75-gallon tank (the next most common size) ranges from $400 to $600. Hundred-gallon tanks are also available, and they can cost double or triple the price of a 50-gallon tank from the same manufacturer. New water heaters tend to be far more energy-efficient, so they can cut energy costs; homeowners may also be eligible for a new water heater rebate from their local utility company.

Typically, tankless water heaters, which heat water only when you need it, cost more but can save about 25 percent of annual water heating costs, on average. They also lose only 5 percent of their energy compared with a tank unit’s 30 percent energy loss. Note, too, that a water heater with a tank has a life expectancy of 10 years, while tankless units generally last about twice as long.

The final expense to consider is a possible disposal fee to get rid of the old water heater; some companies include it in the price, while others charge an average of $35-$150.

Joanne C.

Verified review

This is the first time I'm giving someone 5 star review prior to the completion of the job. I have an old/discontinued water heater, an unusual issue. Jontell has been very honest throughout the process and gained my trust. We're still configuring the issue with my heater but I feel comfortable to count on him. He helped me understand that my heater is an old unit and the part has to be on special order. He even came out to my place after hours to ensure hot water is temporarily up and running for me. When it comes to this type of services, I've encountered too many people who just wanted to take the money and not follow through. However, Jontell has been very professional and honest with me. The part to fix my water heater has been ordered and Jontell ensured he will do the installation again at no cost. I understand unusual situation like this happens in this business. We're dealing with electrical and sometimes it's just out of human's hands. However, I'm confident to count on Jontell to complete this job. No wonder he has over 100 positive reviews! He sure will have my future business as well as references to my friends. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, honest plumber who won't scam you and get the job done, you've got the right person here!

Naomi C.

He exceeded our expectations, we were prepared for replacement of water heater but he came and repaired it at much lower cost and warrantied his repair. He also took care of 3 toilets and replaced the garbage disposal. Repairs we thought we would have to schedule for a later time based on the expected cost of the water heater. I am running upstairs now to take a HOT shower. I highly recommend his services.

Bruce S.

Our 28-year-old water heater sprung a small leak so on Sunday I went on line and filled out a request for a water heater replacement. Within five minutes of posting my request Ben responded and I called him. He was able to come to my house the next morning and give be a free estimate. The pricing was appropriate, so I hired him on the spot and he began work immediately. He just left and his work product was outstanding, he cleaned up after himself and left the work area better than when he arrived. He and his assistant were very friendly and explained what they were doing as they worked and after completing the job they gave me a tutorial on keeping my water heater running in top shape. Outstanding!

Marcelo A.

Great company, Antonio was very professional, he was able to fix our water heater for a good price and got back to me quickly after I posted the job on Thumbtack. I highly recommend his services

Carol B.

Very Honest! Super knowledgeable! Saved me over $700!! I thought, and was told by other plumbers, that I needed a brand new water heater. But after Keith came and did his diagnosis, for FREE I might add, he informed me that I could save money by just replacing some parts (i don't remember what the parts were called) and repairing the water heater instead of replacing it. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have someone be honest about what you truly need instead of trying to sell you something expensive just to make money!

Teri H.

Fred was the first one to respond to my request for a hot water heater replacement. He took the time to explain what I needed to do to stop the water from continuing to flood the garage. He also explained what I needed to know to purchase the right water heater for replacement (height, width, etc). He gave me information on what causes water heaters to deteriorate and how to minimize that in the future (by draining the water heater at least annually). Fred came over immediately to start the water heater removal process and went to Home Depot with me to assist me in purchasing a new one and all the components that were needed for the install. It is obvious that Fred is a very knowledgeable and skilled plumber. He did a fantastic job from beginning to end. His pricing was more than reasonable. I would definitely hire Fred again and can also highly recommend him as a first choice for your plumbing needs.

Katina P.

Mr. Wilkins made some repairs to the walls in our home and the ceiling in our garage after we had some water damage. He did a great job on the areas repaired, completed them in a timely manner, and the price was reasonable. We will use him again in the future and will recommend him to others.

Sonya P.

They came on time and did a great job saving our cat Felix. I was at my wit's end when I found them here. I explained the situation he said I will get your cat from behind the water heater. he text when he was on the way. He cared and he saved Felix's' life. he's our "Guy" and the only Plumber we will ever use. thanks a million, times GPC!!

George G.

Mr. Green came out to assess a malfunction (gas leak) with my furnace. Within the same day I had the furnace replaced. He was professional, timely, and worked diligently to ensure I had heat before my children's bedtime!

Brian S.

I contacted Assure about replacing the main water line into our house and they responded quickly with a very reasonable quote. We will definitely be working with them in the future on our plumbing projects.

Kaisha S.

Marcus arrived on time and provided excellent service. He took the time to explain every step involved with repairing my water heater. Additionally, he took the time to look at another plumbing issue in my bathroom and fix it the same day. I will definitely call him again for my repair needs!! Amazing service and reasonable prices!!

Jill W.

He was able to replace two exterior water faucets less than 24 hours after my request, completed it in less than two hours and the price was nice. I’ll definitely call Pioneer Plumbing for any future needsThanks so much😇

Greg W.

Great experience working with Mike. He came out replaced my water heater same day and at a great price. Simple on Time Solutions is now my go to plumber for all of my plumbing needs.

Opal R.

Louis was a saver of the day! He was able to come out on Sunday evening to repair our unit. It was the fuse that was blown but we were not looking forward to sleeping without the AC. He is professional and pleasant to his customers. I would highly recommend him!

Summer A.

Scott was very nice and professional. He was quick to respond to the request to replace our water heater. He showed up the next day and was able to get the job completed. I will absolutely recommend him and plan to call him for future needs.

Autumn M.

I had some old pipes burst behind the wall in my kitchen and he came and cut open the wall and fixed everything. I was so worried about the price because it was an emergency because I've heard stories about plumbers charging a lot for emergencies but he didn't! I was pleased with his prices. We bought this house as a fixer upper and I knew I needed a few more things done so we talked replacing the hot water heater and repiping some of the house. Drew fixed everything and was so easy to work with and cleaned up after himself. We ended up using him on our entire remodel (kitchen, laundry, 2 bathrooms). I highly recommend him to anyone who needs any sort of plumbing work done to their home.

Ahreum S.

Nick came out on Wed to diagnose the issue with our old water heater and was able to install a tankless on Thu (the next day). On Monday morning, when we had an issue with the hot water running out, we let DNM know and they were able to squeeze us in the same day and fix the issue. (Lack of water pressure due to low flow showerheads inconsistently triggering the water heater to heat the water.) In the end, it was a minor issue that could have been resolved over the phone. But we appreciate DNM for sending Nick out the same day and fixing the issue. It was much appreciated.

Mark S.

Andrew has performed many projects for us, and his work has always been excellent. He has installed a water heater, a water filter, and replaced toilets. Everything always works perfectly, with no leaks, and he cleans up the area very well after he's completed. Highly recommended!

Duluth, GA134 Water Heater Repair Professionals near you

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Duluth Water Heater Repair Professionals

Joanne C.

Tovah Y.

Naomi C.

Bruce S.

Marcelo A.

Carol B.

Teri H.

Deidra B.

Katina P.

Sonya P.

George G.

Sandy A.

Brian S.

Kaisha S.

Jill W.

Greg W.

Opal R.

Summer A.

Autumn M.

Ahreum S.

Mark S.

When is it time to replace a water heater?

Who can fix a water heater?

Why is my hot water not working?

How much do new water heaters cost?

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