At a glance
- Category
- Water Heaters
- Who it is for
- Homes and basement units
- Phone
- (365) 363-2754
Telltales that call for water heater repair
- Lukewarm showers that used to be hot.
- A pilot that keeps blowing out, or a power-vent unit flashing a status light.
- Rumbling and popping from sediment as the burner fires.
- Water dribbling from the temperature and pressure relief pipe.
- Rotten-egg smell in the hot water only, usually an anode reacting with the water.
How we do the work
Gas tanks: we read the control's flash code, check the thermocouple or flame sensor, clean the burner and pilot assembly, and check the draft or the power-vent fan and its pressure switch. Electric tanks: with power locked off at the panel, we test each element for continuity and each thermostat for correct switching, then replace the failed part and refill before restoring power so a dry element does not burn out in seconds.
Relief valve drips get a closer look at the actual tank temperature and the house pressure. If the house has a backflow device or a check valve at the meter, thermal expansion may need an expansion tank rather than a new relief valve.
| What you notice | Typical part |
|---|---|
| Gas: no hot water, pilot out | Thermocouple, pilot assembly |
| Power-vent: light blinking | Fan, pressure switch, venting |
| Electric: half the hot water | Upper or lower element |
| Hot water smells | Anode rod |
On Ajax streets
A great many Ajax homes have a rented tank from a rental provider. If yours is rented, the first call usually belongs to the rental company, because repairs are part of the rental. Our rental manual explains the trade-offs. For owned tanks we repair the common brands and tell you plainly if age makes replacement wiser.
Local tip The rating plate carries a serial number that hides the build year. Read the whole string to us over the phone.
Price swings on
The part, the brand, and whether the venting or gas supply also needs attention.
Worth asking the plumber
- Is this tank owned or rented?
- How old is it, and is a repair sensible at this age?
- Do I need an expansion tank?
Questions we hear on the phone
How long should a tank last?
Many tank water heaters last somewhere around ten to fifteen years. Hard water, high settings and no maintenance shorten that.