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<h1>Water Heater Repair Guide<br/></h1>
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<p>Want to learn how to repair your water heater?</p><p> Maybe you just
want to know what's wrong with it before <br/>you call a repairman.</p><p><br/></p>
<p>In most areas you can expect to pay $100.00 to $200.00 for<br/>a simple repair.</p>
<p>Many problems are easy fixes. Some are more complicated.</p><p>
<span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 51);">You should
only attempt repairs if you feel confident to do so safely.</span>
</p><p><br/></p>
<div class="ImageBlock ImageBlockLeft"><img src="images/xwater-heater-gas-valve03.jpg.pagespeed.ic.1bfmxI8yCv.jpg" width="220" height="165" alt="water heater gas valve" title="Gas valve from an older style unit" data-pin-media="https://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/images/water-heater-gas-valve03.jpg" style="width: 220px; height: auto"></div>
<p>This site covers most problems that <br/>you may have with residential gas<br/>and electric storage water heaters.</p><p><br/></p><p>What we don't cover at this time <br/>is fan forced vent gas units and<br/>digital control valves.</p><p><br/></p><p>If you find yourself with no hot water, usually nights and weekends <br/>(go figure), you should find the information you need here.</p><p>There's a few tips below to help you get started if you have<br/>no hot water.</p><p><br/></p>
<h2><b>Electric Units</b></h2>
<p>Check your electrical breaker. It may have tripped off.</p><p>How can you tell? Usually the on/off handle will set<br/>in between the on and off position. <br/>Push it to off position and back to on.</p><p>Sometimes the breaker will trip and the handle will<br/>appear to be in the on position. <br/>Just give it a gentle shake, if it moves any at all, it<br/>has tripped. Shut it off and back on to reset it.</p><p>If the breaker has not tripped, the next step would<br/>be to check the<a href="waterheaterresetbutton.html"> </a>reset button.</p><p><br/></p>
<h2><b>Gas Units</b></h2>
<p>The first thing to check would be the pilot light.<br/></p><p>On <b>older units</b>, remove the access panel<br/>below the gas valve. </p><p>If it is out, follow the lighting instruction on your<br/>tank or go to this pilot light page for help.</p><p><br/></p><p>On <b>newer models</b> you can look through the sight <br/>glass below the valve.<br/><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p>
<h3>Popular Pages</h3>
<h4>Water Temperature Settings</h4>
<p>Environmental Protection Agency recommended temperature settings.</p><p>Occupational Safety & Health Administration recommended settings<br/>under certain circumstances.</p><p>How to check and adjust your hot water temperatures. Water to<br/>hot, not enough hot, water cold.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4><b>Reset Button/ Limit Switch</b></h4>
<p>Where to find the reset button. Why did it trip off? How to<br/>reset it, or replace it.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4><b>Hot Water Pressure Low</b></h4>
<p>Covers hot water pressure problems at your sinks, tub and shower,<br/>clothes washer, hot water pressure low in whole house.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4><b>Heating Elements</b></h4>
<p>How to test or replace an element. Different types of elements.</p><p>Information you will need to purchase an element. Frequently <br/>asked question.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4><b>Gas Control Valve</b></h4>
<p>Different problems associated with a gas valve.</p><p>Many times the gas valve is not the problem after all.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4>Water Leaks</h4>
<p>A water heater leak is not always easy to find. Especially if its a small leak.</p><p>Most water heater leaks are caused by plumbing connections, parts, or valves leaking.</p>
<h4><b>Thermocouple</b></h4>
<p>Covers different types of thermocouples. How they<br/>work, common problems, how to replace.</p><p><br/></p>
<h4><b>Water Heater Noises</b></h4>
<p>There can be all kinds of strange noises coming from your tank.</p><p>Some customers has described them as,humming,rumbling, <br/>singing, screaming, cracking, popping, tapping.</p><p> <br/>Noises can be very annoying, especially if you are<br/>trying to sleep.</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p>
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<h3>Newer Gas Models</h3>
<div class="ImageBlock ImageBlockLeft"><img src="images/xhotwaterheaterpilotlight01.jpg.pagespeed.ic.m6yyEHZsaG.jpg" width="220" height="160" alt="FVIR water heaters" title="FVIR water heaters built after 2005" data-pin-media="https://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/images/hotwaterheaterpilotlight01.jpg" style="width: 220px; height: auto"></div>
<p>This is a pic. of a flammable vapor ignition <br/>resistant (FVIR) gas unit. <br/>These units came on the market in 2005.</p><p> <br/>On this site we usually refer to them as new<br/>style units.</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p>
<h3>Older Gas Models</h3>
<div class="ImageBlock ImageBlockLeft"><img src="images/xwater-heater-pilot-light04.jpg.pagespeed.ic.PtFkZRsZsH.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Lighting a pilot light" title="Older unit access panel" data-pin-media="https://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/images/water-heater-pilot-light04.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: auto"></div>
<p>This is a pic. of an older unit. Production<br/>was stopped in 2004. Most are probably out <br/>of use now. <br/>These pilot lights had to be lit manually with a flame.</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p>
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<h3>Electric Model Improvements</h3>
<div class="ImageBlock ImageBlockLeft"><img src="images/xwater-heater-temperature03.jpg.pagespeed.ic.-GcmIt4z7k.jpg" width="220" height="165" alt="electric wh access panel." title="electric unit, upper access panel." data-pin-media="https://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/images/water-heater-temperature03.jpg" style="width: 220px; height: auto"></div>
<p>Improvement to electric water heaters have <br/>been great for consumers. </p><p>Low watt density elements create less sediment <br/>and last much longer than standard high watt<br/>density elements. </p><p>Less sediment means longer tank life. </p><p><br/></p><p>Two anode rods instead of one also increases  the life expectancy <br/>of the tank. Tank insulation was doubled in new units as of 2016.</p><p><br/></p>
<p>Electric units range in sizes from 2 1/2 gallons and up. Small tanks <br/>up to six gallons are ideal to place under sinks. </p><p>Smaller ones are 120 volts, larger units are 240 volts. Larger units <br/>are also sold with single or duel heating elements.</p><p><br/></p>
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