Water Heater Repair
& Replacement Services
Waking up to a freezing cold shower? Is your water heater leaking, rumbing, or slow to reheat? We provide fast, professional water heater repairs and installations for gas and electric tank units across Virginia. Speak with a service coordinator now to get your hot water back today!
Active Tank Leak? Shut Off Water and Gas/Power Immediately
If your water heater tank is leaking or flooding, shut off its water supply. Turn the metal valve handle on the cold water pipe above the tank clockwise. For gas units, twist the brass gas valve on the yellow supply pipe flat. For electric units, flip the water heater breaker switch inside your main electrical panel to prevent shock.
Keep Your Home Comfortable with Expert Water Heater Care
Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home, operating continuously to keep hot water ready for showers, laundry, and dishes. At Virginia Plumbing Company, we provide expert repair, installation, and maintenance for gas and electric tank water heaters.
Traditional tank water heaters last between 8 and 12 years. Over time, mineral scale builds up inside the tank, forming an insulating barrier that slows heating and causes the tank to overheat and crack. If your heater is making a rumbling sound or showing rust in your hot water, it may be time for a replacement.
We install high-efficiency water heaters from leading brands, ensuring lower energy bills and reliable hot water. If you want to maximize your energy savings, consider upgrading to a tankless unit. We offer professional maintenance, including our specialized tankless descaling flush, to keep tankless heaters operating at peak efficiency.
We repair and replace gas and electric water heaters to keep hot water flowing.
Virginia Water Chemistry & Heater Scaling
Water chemistry varies across Virginia. Homes relying on well water in rural areas or municipal water in Northern Virginia often deal with high calcium and magnesium content. When heated, these minerals crystallize, settling at the bottom of tank water heaters. This scale layer reduces heating efficiency and can burn out electric heating elements.
A failed water heater can cause water damage. If your utility closet is near a basement wall, a leak can lead to foundation moisture. Our team offers expert sump pump basin services to handle basement water. If you need new gas connections, see our gas line repair and installation to ensure your gas lines are safe and compliant.
What to Do While You Wait for Our Crew
If your water heater has failed or is leaking, take these steps to secure your home before we arrive:
1. Isolate Inlet Valve
Turn off the cold water inlet valve on top of the water heater. Turning this valve clockwise stops cold water from entering, slowing the tank leak.
2. Disconnect Energy
For electric heaters, turn off the double-pole breaker. For gas heaters, rotate the gas line valve dial to the 'OFF' position to prevent gas leaks.
3. Avoid Draining
Do not attempt to drain the tank yourself. Silt and sediment can block the drain valve, and hot water can cause burns. Let our plumbers handle it.
Our 4-Step Water Heater Protocol
Here is how we diagnose, repair, or replace your tank water heater safely and efficiently:
Diagnostic Inspection
We check the gas pilot assembly, burner, thermocouple, or electric heating elements and thermostats to pinpoint the cause of failure.
Safe Tank Drainage
If we need to replace the unit, we attach high-temperature hoses and drain the hot water to a safe drainage area, flushing out sediment.
Unit Installation
We install the new water heater, connect the water lines, gas supply, and vent pipes, and install a thermal expansion tank to meet code.
Testing & Handover
We fill the tank, check for gas and water leaks, test the temperature settings, and adjust the thermostats for safety and efficiency.
Water Heater Types Comparison
Compare traditional tank water heaters with tankless upgrades:
- Traditional Tank Heaters: Store 40 to 80 gallons of hot water. Lower upfront installation cost, but they consume energy continuously to maintain water temperature.
- Tankless Water Heaters: Heat water on demand, providing endless hot water. More energy-efficient and compact, but they have a higher upfront installation cost.
- Thermal Expansion Tanks: Required by plumbing codes. They absorb excess water pressure created by thermal expansion, protecting your tank from cracks.
To extend the life of your new water heater and prevent mineral buildup, we recommend installing a whole-house water softener. Our team offers professional water filtration and softeners to protect your water heaters, fixtures, and appliances from hard water damage.
Water Heater Project Invoices
We offer flat-rate pricing. Here are common estimates for water heater repairs and installations:
Note: Final prices depend on accessibility, system size, and severity. We provide a firm quote before any work begins.
Water Heater FAQs
Answers to common questions about water heater maintenance, life expectancy, and repairs:
Traditional tank water heaters have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years. Electric heaters can last slightly longer than gas units.
You can extend the lifespan of your unit by flushing the tank annually to remove sediment and replacing the sacrificial anode rod every 3 to 5 years.
Rumbling noises are caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. Over time, minerals settle, forming a hard crust.
When the burner or elements heat the water beneath this sediment crust, steam bubbles form and pop, creating a rumbling or popping sound. This indicates your tank needs flushing or replacing.
If you have an electric water heater, a broken upper or lower heating element is the most common cause of running out of hot water quickly.
For gas units, a broken dip tube can cause cold water entering the tank to mix directly with the hot water at the top, cooling it down before it reaches your fixtures.
No, the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P valve) should not drip. A dripping T&P valve indicates high pressure, high temperatures, or a failing valve.
If your home lacks a thermal expansion tank, heating water can create high pressure, causing the valve to leak. This should be repaired to prevent safety hazards.