Water Heater Repair in Portsmouth, VA and Surrounding Areas
When the hot water runs out early, comes out rusty, or stops altogether, the cause is often one worn part rather than the whole water heater. Newman's Plumbing Service & Repair has worked on water heaters in Portsmouth and across Hampton Roads since 1994. We find out what actually failed, tell you plainly whether the heater is worth repairing, and fix it when it is.
We work on both traditional tank water heaters and tankless water heaters. Call (757) 465-0883 to schedule a visit.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Attention
Water heaters usually give some warning before they quit. Call us if you notice any of these:
- ✓No hot water at all. On a gas unit this often points to the pilot, burner, or gas control. On an electric unit it is often a heating element, thermostat, or a tripped breaker.
- ✓Hot water runs out faster than it used to. Sediment settling on the bottom of a tank takes up space and insulates the water from the burner, so the tank delivers less hot water than it should.
- ✓Water that is too hot or not hot enough. A thermostat or control that has drifted out of range can usually be tested and replaced.
- ✓Rusty or discolored hot water. This can come from the anode rod or from the inside of the tank itself. Which one it is decides whether a repair makes sense.
- ✓Popping, rumbling, or banging. These noises usually mean sediment is boiling under the water at the bottom of the tank.
- ✓Water around the base or dripping from the relief valve pipe. Some leaks are a loose fitting or a failing valve. A leak from the tank body is not repairable.
- ✓A pilot light that will not stay lit. This is often a thermocouple or flame sensor, a small part that wears out over time.
What We Can Usually Repair
A lot of water heater problems come down to parts that can be replaced without replacing the heater. Depending on the unit, that includes:
On tankless units, scale buildup and error codes are the most common calls. Flushing the heat exchanger and tracing the error code usually tells us what the unit needs.
- ✓Heating elements and thermostats on electric water heaters.
- ✓Gas controls, thermocouples, flame sensors, pilots, and burners on gas water heaters.
- ✓Temperature and pressure relief valves, which protect the tank and should never be capped or plugged.
- ✓Drain valves and supply connections that have started to drip.
- ✓Anode rods, which slow corrosion inside a tank and wear out over time.
- ✓Sediment, which can often be flushed out of a tank before it causes bigger problems.
When a Repair Is Not Worth It
Not every water heater should be repaired, and we will tell you when yours is one of them. If water is leaking from the tank itself, the inside has corroded through and no part will fix it. Age matters too. A tank water heater typically lasts around 8 to 12 years, and putting a costly repair into a heater near the end of that range often just delays a replacement.
A useful rule of thumb: if a repair costs close to half the price of a new unit and the heater is past the middle of its expected life, replacement is usually the better buy. When that is the case, we will explain your options, including a new tank or a tankless water heater, and let you decide. Our guide to the signs you need a new water heater covers this in more detail.
What to Do if Your Water Heater Is Leaking
Shut off the cold water supply valve on the pipe above the heater first. Then turn off the power at the breaker for an electric unit, or turn the gas control to off for a gas unit. Do not try to drain a tank while the water inside is still hot.
A leaking water heater can put a lot of water on the floor quickly, so treat it as urgent. Newman's offers 24/7 emergency plumbing at (757) 465-0883. For more on where a leak is coming from and what it means, read why water heaters leak.
Water Heater Repair FAQs
- ✓How do I know if my water heater can be repaired? If the tank itself is not leaking and the problem traces to a part such as a thermostat, element, gas control, or valve, it can usually be repaired. A leaking tank body cannot. We diagnose the heater first and tell you which situation you are in before any work starts.
- ✓Why is there water around my water heater? It could be a loose supply connection, a dripping drain valve, the relief valve doing its job, or condensation. Those are usually repairable. Water coming from the tank body means the tank has failed and needs to be replaced.
- ✓How long does a water heater last? A traditional tank water heater typically lasts around 8 to 12 years. A tankless unit that is maintained can last considerably longer. Hard water, sediment, and skipped maintenance shorten both.
- ✓Do you repair tankless water heaters? Yes. We service tankless water heaters as well as tank models. See our tankless water heater page for more.
- ✓Is a leaking water heater an emergency? Treat it as one. Shut off the water supply and the power or gas to the heater, then call Newman's at (757) 465-0883. We provide 24/7 emergency plumbing service.
Schedule Water Heater Repair Today
Whether your water heater needs a new part or has reached the end of its life, Newman's Plumbing Service & Repair will give you a straight answer. Call (757) 465-0883 to schedule water heater repair in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Smithfield, and nearby areas.
Water Heater Repair Available Throughout Hampton Roads
Newman's Plumbing provides water heater repair to homes and businesses across:
Including these neighborhoods: