Professional Water Heater Repair Services
Tank and tankless water heater repair
What is Water Heater Repair?
Water heater repair is a diagnostic and corrective service that identifies and fixes problems preventing your water heater from adequately heating water, operating safely, or functioning efficiently. This essential service addresses issues ranging from minor component failures like heating elements and thermostats to more serious problems such as leaking tanks, pilot light failures, and sediment buildup reducing capacity and efficiency. In Triangle area homes, water heaters work year-round providing hot water for showers, dishwashing, laundry, and cleaning, making failures disruptive and often urgent. Common problems requiring water heater repair include insufficient hot water or water not getting hot enough, no hot water at all, strange noises like popping or rumbling from sediment buildup, rusty or discolored hot water, leaking water around the unit, pilot light that won't stay lit in gas models, circuit breakers tripping in electric models, foul-smelling hot water suggesting bacteria, and dramatically increased energy costs suggesting inefficiency. Professional water heater repair involves comprehensive diagnostics using specialized tools to pinpoint exact problems, component replacements including heating elements, thermostats, gas control valves, pilot assemblies, anode rods, and pressure relief valves, sediment flushing to restore capacity and efficiency, leak repairs when feasible or replacement recommendations when tanks have failed, electrical testing and repairs, gas line and burner assessment, venting inspection for gas models, and safety testing ensuring proper operation. Technicians evaluate whether repairs are cost-effective compared to replacement considering unit age, repair costs, and energy efficiency of modern alternatives. A costly misconception is that water heaters need attention only when they completely fail. In reality, regular maintenance including anode rod replacement and sediment flushing can extend water heater life by 5+ years, while minor problems caught early often prevent complete failures. Another dangerous myth suggests homeowners can safely repair water heaters themselves, but gas water heater repairs risk explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning, electric models present electrocution hazards, high temperature and pressure create scalding and burst risks, and improper repairs violate codes and void warranties. Whether your water heater has stopped producing hot water entirely, isn't heating water sufficiently, makes concerning noises, shows signs of leaking, costs too much to operate, or simply isn't performing as well as it should, professional water heater repair service restores reliable hot water while extending equipment life and ensuring safe operation in your Triangle area home.
Why Choose Element Service Group for Water Heater Repair?
We're your trusted partner for all water heater repair needs
Licensed & Insured
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured for your complete peace of mind.
Fast Response
Same-day service available with emergency support when you need it most.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
100% satisfaction guarantee on all work. We're not happy until you are.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Repair
Get answers to common questions about our water heater repair services
Why is my water heater not producing hot water?
Common causes include a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse (electric), a pilot light that's gone out (gas), a faulty thermostat, a broken heating element, or sediment buildup in the tank. For gas heaters, check if the pilot light is lit. For electric, check your breaker panel. If these basics don't solve it, call us for a diagnostic—we can usually identify the issue quickly.
How long do water heaters last?
Traditional tank water heaters typically last 8-12 years, while tankless water heaters can last 15-20 years with proper maintenance. Signs your water heater is failing include rusty water, rumbling noises, leaks around the base, inconsistent temperatures, and water that's not as hot as it used to be. If your unit is over 10 years old and having issues, replacement is often more cost-effective than repair.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
Consider replacement if: the unit is over 10 years old, repairs would cost more than 50% of a new unit, you're seeing rust or corrosion, or you're experiencing frequent breakdowns. Repair makes sense for: newer units, minor issues like a faulty thermostat or heating element, or if you're not ready for the upfront cost of replacement. We'll give you an honest assessment and options.