How Repair Rusted Inlet Of Hot Water Heater

Updated May iii, 2022

Reviewed by Jeff Botelho, Licensed Journeyman Plumber. Written by HomeAdvisor.

Hot Water Heater Repair Toll

average cost to repair a hot water heater is $575 or $95 to $1,500

The national average price to repair a water heater is $587. The typical range for repairs is $220 and $955, though homeowners have spent every bit trivial as $100 and as much as $1,300.

There is nothing worse than waking up on a frigid winter morning time to a cold shower considering the water heater that is on the fritz, or worse, has completely died! Conventional, tank-type h2o heaters are relatively simple and straightforward in the way that they operate, so there are only a few things that can malfunction. Common cold h2o enters the tank and is heated past an electric chemical element or gas burner. As the h2o heats, pressure level builds within the tank. When you plough on a tap, force per unit area sends hot water out of the faucet. Bug could be equally elementary as a airplane pilot light that has gone out, a circuit breaker that has tripped, or a thermostat that is broken. The average thermostat replacement toll is between $100 and $300. Nearly other repairs are equally affordable.

At that place are 2 primary types: gas and electric. A gas unit works by way of a gas flame while an electric one works using electric elements, or coils. The two types take similar life spans and repair costs. A gas one will cost more to install and supplant, though it won't use as much energy over time as an electric unit. Hither are a few things to consider when faced with the cost of repairing or replacing your water heater.

H2o Heater Repair Cost Calculator

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National Average	$587
Typical Range	$220 - $955
Low Finish - High End	$91 - $ane,610

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported past 14,596 HomeAdvisor members.

Gas Water Heater Repairs

Gas models volition have issues that are unique to their power source. The three most frequent problems are with the airplane pilot light, the thermocouple, and the gas control valve. To figure out the root of your problem, a professional volition need to troubleshoot each element equally they go. Plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hr and the almost common bug with gas units cost between $150 and $500 to fix. Some of these repairs can be done without a professional, but but if you follow instructions and secure your gas line. Earlier you relight a pilot light or perform repairs on your own, brand sure that you are comfy working with gas and that there aren't strong gas smells around your unit. If there is a potent gas odor, call a professional and accost the problem as before long as possible.

Pilot Light Cess and Reignition Cost

One of the virtually common issues with gas units is the airplane pilot low-cal going out. At that place may be no need for repairs, if this is the case. It could be that it was blown out or that your unit temporarily lost its gas connection. If you follow safe procedures, you lot can relight this component on your own. This would salvage you a service call fee, which could range from $45 to $150 per hour. If it doesn't light, you could take thermocouple or valve issues.

Thermocouple Replacement Cost

Calling a professional person plumber to install a new thermocouple should only be upwardly to $150. If you do the work yourself, you will just pay the price of the part which is near $20.

The thermocouple is responsible for sensing that the pilot low-cal is lit and triggering the gas control valve to keep providing gas. When this part fails, information technology won't be able to accurately sense the presence of the flame and the control valve will stop releasing gas. As a result, you will not exist able to relight the pilot or even the burner. Replacement is the only option, when your thermocouple stops working.

If yous are considering this equally a DIY job, exist sure to shut off your gas connection and let the h2o cool before working with the unit.

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Gas Control Valve Replacement Toll

If your pilot calorie-free and thermocouple are in skillful shape, it may exist that y'all need a new gas command valve. When this part has gone bad, replacing it is usually a more efficient and cost-effective option than repair. The control valve is responsible for releasing gas and turning it off when the pilot light is out. A bad valve tin can render your entire unit dangerous. A professional will diagnose this problem if your burner or pilot calorie-free won't light or stay lit, and afterward issues with the thermocouple and pilot low-cal themselves have been ruled out.

Price of Installing New Gas Thermostat

The thermostat is function of the valve unit and, therefore, fixing issues with it will involve replacing or repairing the unabridged valve. I common sign of a faulty thermostat is a burner that fails to ignite. A valve unit costs an average of $eighty.

Call a Pro & Get a Quote for Your Repair

Electric H2o Heater Repairs

Tripped breakers and bad heating elements are the most mutual issues when it comes to these units. A tripped breaker can exist resolved without the aid of an electrician. If a breaker isn't your issue, yous'll want to test both the thermostats and their heating elements.

Heater Element Replacement Toll

Keep in mind that this equipment receives a very high voltage of electricity and tin exist very hazardous to piece of work with. Y'all must exist sure to shut off the electricity to your unit before testing and repairing on your own.

The typical professional accuse to repair your heating elements is $200 to $300. In that location are two of these in each unit, ane at the height and one at the bottom. The height element controls the bottom element and, if it goes bad, your unit of measurement won't exist able to generate hot water. You can test the function of these elements with continuity testers, which cost up to $10 at hardware stores.

Thermostat Replacement

Hiring a professional to remove a thermostat and install a new one averages $150 to $200. On their ain, the parts toll upwards to $20. Each heating chemical element is continued to its own thermostat. If you or your plumber find that the elements are in working status, your problem is likely one or two malfunctioning thermostats. These can be replaced hands and without removing the elements themselves.

Have a Pro Diagnose & Fix the Issue

Hot Water Heater Repairs

Your abode may be outfitted with a hot water heater, or boiler, instead of the conventional gas or electric model. Boiler repairs toll an average of $350 and have similar issues to conventional systems. Most likely, yous have an indirect system that allows your gas or electric banality to too heat the h2o in your home. These systems are more than efficient and are considered a "green" solution. The following are common problems and repairs for these units.

Tripped breaker or diddled fuse (electric): $20 per fuse. Almost homeowners can diagnose a tripped breaker or damaged fuse on their own by checking the fuse box.
Pilot low-cal out (gas): $45-$150 per hr for repairs. Every bit with conventional gas systems, plumbers notice that the pilot light is i of the almost frequent culprits. You tin can often diagnose this yourself simply, if you aren't sure or you are uncomfortable, it is worth calling a professional with experience treatment gas.
Thermostat replacement: $50-$100 per 60 minutes of labor . The thermostat which controls the temperature in these systems is also known equally an Aquastat ($70-$150). These are very easy to access and replace. Just make sure to turn the breaker off earlier yous begin.
Low h2o level: I of the tiptop issues with banality systems is that the water level in the expansion tank is low. The proper fill is halfway with a pressure of 12-fifteen psi. Homeowners can fill the expansion tank themselves.
Leaking: up to $1,000 for fixes. Most leaks should be handled by a professional. They could be acquired by a malfunctioning pump, a bad seal, sediment, faulty valves, or compromised pipe connections.

Replacing Other Heating Elements

Replacement might not exist as simple every bit hooking upward the new organisation. Many local edifice codes now crave you upgrade other items like, the h2o heater mountain, venting organization, supply pipes, and the drain pan under the heater. Ask your installer to address these issues before installation, so y'all don't have any surprises!

Pressure Relief Valve Price

A replacement valve costs around $xx and calling in a professional could bring your cost up to $200. This isn't a steep cost to ensure proper diagnosis and installation. The pressure relief valve is there as a condom measure in case the pressure inside the tank gets too high. If wet is seeping out of this valve at a "leaking" rate, there are several potential problems. Yous may have sediment built upward in the valve, the force per unit area in your tank may be besides high, or you may demand a new function entirely.

Removing this valve to install a new one is one of the safer repairs to attempt on your ain. If you lot program to diagnose this yourself, exist certain to plough off your unit, turn off the gas (if applicable) and let the water absurd before yous inspect the valve.

Anode Rod Price

Plumbers suggest getting a new anode rod every five years. The rod itself is just $xx to $l and, with proper instructions and precautions, yous can perform this maintenance on your own. The anode rod keeps the within of your tank from corroding. It does so by drawing the corrosion to itself. If your rod has corroded extensively, your water will likely exist a rusty colour and may even accept an odor and/or taste.

If you supplant the anode rod before the corrosion enters the interior of your tank, y'all can extend the life of your water heater. If the interior of your tank is severely corroded, you'll desire to consider replacing it entirely.

Dip Tube

Dip tubes are usually $10. Replacing them professionally averages $150. Both electric and gas styles have these elements, which behave cold h2o from the tiptop of your tank to the bottom. When your dip tube is disintegrated or broken off in the tank, your water volition not get very hot.

Cost to Flush or Clean the Tank

A plumber tin can refresh your tank for upwardly to $200. Whether you repair or supervene upon, these systems volition perform better and final longer if y'all flush the tank in one case a yr to remove sediment. Your unit volition operate more than efficiently, saving you money. This is truthful for both gas and electric systems.

1 certain sign that you lot need to flush the tank is dissonance, which is acquired by the sediment on the lesser. This sediment could crusade a heating element to become bad, leaks, or unit of measurement failure.

Get Your Water Heater Fixed. Phone call a Pro

When to Repair & When to Supercede

Getting a new unit all-together will be $750 to $1,300. A conventional storage tank water heater has a life of about 10-xv years, so if your unit of measurement is in that historic period range, it may exist worth footing the price to supersede a water heater information technology rather than constantly fixing problems as they arise with age. Still, if your h2o heater is but a few years old, repair may be the best way to go.

Over time, water minerals react with steel, corroding tanks. When it springs a leak, repair isn't an choice. Leaks from valves, pipes, and vents may but crave tightening and cleaning. If the leak is coming straight from the heater and pooling nether it, yous likely have serious damage to the tank itself, which cannot exist remedied. Rent an experienced plumber if you think that this is the solution for you. They will help y'all to observe the right equipment for your home and their skills will lend to an accurate and timely installation.

Will a new system lower my bills?

A professional will likely have great recommendations to amend your abode'southward efficiency. Today's loftier-efficiency heaters can warm your h2o better and faster and save money on your energy bills. Manufacturers now inject foam insulation between the tank and its outer shell, resulting in higher heat retention. New glass liners make tanks less prone to corrosion.

You may need to pay to install a new conventional storage unit. But on the vivid side, homeowners feel upwards to a xx% decrease in their bills with a more efficient system. Y'all can also look into a tankless high-efficiency water heater for an even more than efficient option. If you do end upward having to pay for a new h2o heater information technology may be more cost effective than your onetime one ever was.

Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/repair-a-water-heater/

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