Water heater repair in San Antonio, TX
Before buying a new heater, find out what failed. A cold shower is often one part, and we only push replacement when the tank itself is done.
Signs you need this
- No hot water or lukewarm water
- Pilot will not stay lit
- Rumbling or popping from the tank
- Water at the base from a fitting or valve
Why it happens
On a gas heater, the usual suspects are the thermocouple or flame sensor, the gas control or a dirty burner. Electric units lose heating elements and thermostats. Rumbling is sediment from hard water boiling under the tank. Water at the base can be a loose fitting or relief valve, which is fixable, or the tank, which is not.
Gas and electric heaters fail in different ways. On a gas unit, no hot water usually means the pilot or burner is not lighting, often a thermocouple, flame sensor or gas control problem. On an electric unit, one dead element gives you lukewarm water, and a tripped high-limit switch gives you none. Rumbling, slow recovery and hot water that runs out early often trace back to sediment from our hard water. We test each component instead of guessing, and we tell you the age and condition of the tank so you can decide whether to repair or replace.
What we check first
- Flame, pilot and gas control on gas units
- Elements and thermostats on electric units
- Relief valve, fittings and drain valve for leaks
- Age and tank condition
Your options
Repair a part
Thermocouple, element, thermostat or valve. Common and affordable.
Flush the tank
Removes sediment, quiets the noise and helps recovery.
Replace
When the tank leaks, the heater is old, or repairs are piling up.
Before we get there
- Note the brand, age and fuel from the label
- Check if the pilot is out on gas units
- Turn off power at the breaker for electric units if water is leaking
What affects the price
Common repairs like a thermocouple, element or thermostat are affordable. Gas controls cost more. If the heater is old or the tank leaks, we give you the replacement price alongside the repair so you can compare.
Hard water makes annual flushing worthwhile here. Sediment insulates the bottom of the tank, which wastes gas and stresses the steel.
Water heater repair questions
Is my heater worth repairing?
If it is under about 8 years old and the tank is not leaking, usually yes.
Why does my heater make noise?
Sediment on the bottom. A flush often helps, though a very loud tank may be near the end.
Can you come after hours?
Yes. No hot water is a call we take 24 hours a day.
How long do water heaters last here?
Often 8 to 12 years. Hard water and no maintenance shorten that.