A water heater is an essential part of any home, but like many appliances it requires occasional maintenance to keep it running smoothly. If you notice that your water is taking longer to reach a desirable temperature, if the water coming out of your faucet has a funny smell or if there is rust or scale floating in the tank, then it’s time to take a closer look at your water heater. While most of us think of a water heater as a large, complicated industrial appliance, it’s actually a relatively simple device that makes hot water by using electricity to heat a mixture of water and chemicals called “thermal energy”. Unfortunately, the average American spends about $750 on their water and sewer bill every year on repairs and maintenance, much of which is related to water heaters. This can add up quickly if you have a large family or are living in a remote location where the nearest water source is inconveniently located and requires an active water supply system to bring it to your home. To prevent that from happening, it’s important to maintain your water heater properly and regularly. When your water heater breaks down or isn’t working properly, it can be challenging to find a technician to come out and fix it. That’s why it’s important to do your research and find a reliable technician that you trust before having to make a costly repair on your own or with the assistance of friends and family members who don’t know what they’re doing – or worse, who may be unlicensed and unqualified to work on your water heater and could end up doing more harm than good! Luckily, there are many water heater technicians who specialize in repairing and maintaining water heaters all over the country. You can find one near you and get a free estimate on the cost of the repair by entering your ZIP code in the search box below or clicking the button below to be taken directly to the search form. We hope this guide helps you find the right technician for the job!

Tips to find the right technician for the job

  • Make sure to check the technician’s license and insurance before allowing them to work on your water heater. This is especially important if the technician is working on your home’s plumbing system, which is a very dangerous job with the potential for serious injury. Make sure to ask the technician to show you their ID cards and/or insurance information so you can be sure they are who they say they are.

  • Ask the technician to show you a sample of their workmanship. This may sound silly, but it’s a good way to see if they know what they’re doing and if they’re reliable. You can find many examples of various water heater repair jobs on websites like Craigslist or by searching “water heater sample jobs”. This can help you determine if the technician can be trusted to do a good job and ensure your water heater is back up and running in no time.

Find a neighborhood water heater service

If you’re in a large city, it may be best to visit your local water utility office to find a water heater service that can come out to your home and provide maintenance on your water heater, or replace it if it breaks down. In most smaller towns and cities, the water utility will be able to provide you with a list of water heater repair and maintenance services that are registered and insured to work on your specific model of water heater. This can be a good option if you don’t have the time or the money to spend on a costly repair out of pocket. It’s also a good idea to find out if your water utility offers rebates on new water heaters to help keep your water rates affordable.

Find a water heater installation service

If you’re in a large city or if you don’t have a preference on the make or model of water heater, then it’s a good idea to visit a local water utility office to find a water heater installation service that can come out to your home and install a new water heater. This is a good option if your water heater is old, or if you’re in a remote location where you can’t get a technician to your home quickly. It’s also a good idea to find out if your water utility offers rebates on new water heaters to help keep your water rates affordable.

Conclusion

A water heater is an essential part of any home, but like many appliances it requires occasional maintenance to keep it running smoothly. When your water heater breaks down or isn’t working properly, it can be challenging to find a technician to come out and fix it. That’s why it’s important to do your research and find a reliable technician that you trust before having to make a costly repair on your own or with the assistance of friends and family members who don’t know what they’re doing – or worse, who may be unlicensed and unqualified to work on your water heater and could end up doing more harm than good!

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)
Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Draining two or three gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket. Regular water heater maintenance will always extend its lifespan.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • You're overusing hot water.
  • The water heater tank size is too small for your household.
  • Your hot water heater is tankless.
  • Sediment or minerals have built up in your water heating system.
Soft water can actually corrode the water heater anode faster. When the anode wears down, the corrosive elements will move on to the tank. So if left alone, a water softener system can actually shorten the lifespan of a water heater.