Water heaters are vital home appliances that provide warm water for showering, washing dishes and clothes, and cooking.
When they are not working properly, they slow you down and can be very frustrating to deal with.
Sometimes, knowing who to call for water heater repair can also help save you time, money, and potential harm to your home.
This guide will provide everything you need to know about choosing the right experts for your water heater repair.
Types of Water Heaters and Common Issues
Before diving into who to call for repairs, it’s essential to understand the types of water heaters and the common problems they face.
- Tank Water Heaters: These are the most common and consist of a large tank where water is stored and heated. Common problems include:
- Leaks
- Temperature fluctuations
- No hot water
- Strange noises from the tank
- Tankless Water Heaters: These systems heat water on demand, offering energy efficiency. However, they can suffer from:
- Mineral buildup
- System overloads
- Ignition failures
- Electric Water Heaters: Powered by electricity, they can experience issues like:
- Thermostat failures
- Heating element problems
- Circuit breaker issues
- Gas Water Heaters: Using natural gas, these can develop problems such as:
- Pilot light issues
- Gas valve problems
- Venting issues
Understanding the type of water heater you have and the nature of the problem will help you when describing the issue to a professional.
Quick Summary of Who to Call for Water Heater Repair:
- Plumbers: To report any leaking or water pressure issues or for plumbing repairs.
- HVAC Technicians: For water heaters tied to homes’ heating systems or heat pumps.
- Electricians: In case of electrical problems in most electric water heaters, including thermostats, wiring, etc.
- Water Heater Specialists: When it comes to complicated or older water heaters that require specific specialization.
Who to Call for Water Heater Repair?
It is also essential to identify who to call if the water heater is faulty, depending on the issue, whether it is a simple one or complex one, and the type of system.
Here are the professionals you should consider calling:
1. Plumbers
- The water heater repair expert that people often turn to are plumbers since they offer services that involve water supply and connections. If you have issues with the heater, pressure or your water is not hot, it’s very advisable to call a plumber. They familiar with problems associated with pipes, valves and fittings, and are capable of overcoming most challenges encountered in heater tank and tankless heater installations.
- When to call a plumber:
- Leaks around the base or tank
- PWC regularly fails to provide hot water chiefly because of plumbing problems.
- Water pressure issues
- Precipitation and deposits formed on the inner walls of the tank
- New water heaters are installed
- Certifications to look for: You should also ensure that the plumber is licensed and certified to work in your area. A large number of plumbers have legal requirements to work with water heater installation and repair under state or local laws.
2. HVAC Technicians
HVAC technicians can also be called for water heater repairs especially if your water heater is connected with the heating system you use at home.
If the water heater uses the heat from a furnace, boiler, or has a heat pump built in it then you may need an HVAC technician.
- When to call an HVAC technician:
- Your water heater is connected to a system of home heating.
- The unit has a heat pump that is currently not in good condition
- If your home has a hydronic heating system that is linked to your water heater
- Certifications to look for: HVAC technicians should either be certified through the NATE or licensed through the state. Ensure that they have experience practicing on water heaters.
3. Electricians
Electricians are quite helpful for issues related to electric water heaters.
When the problem is associated with the heating elements, wires, or thermostat of the electric water heater, an electrician should be sought.
An electric water heater needs some electrical understanding concerning power supplies to ensure that it functions efficiently and safely.
- When to call an electrician:
- Some of the electrical problems include blown circuits, such as tripped circuit breakers.
- Problems with the heaters, including the thermostats
- Defective wiring led to the failure of the water heater
- Certifications to look for: Make sure that the electrician you hire is licensed and insured and, where possible, a member of NECA or other certified electrical associations. They should have appropriate training, and the training should be related to water heaters in particular.
4. Water Heater Specialists
In some areas, you may find technicians or companies that specialize only in water heaters.
Such specialists can address all sorts of issues with water heaters of any type—tank, tankless, electric, or gas.
Some may have years of experience, even more than ordinary plumbing or heating and cooling experts.
- When to call a water heater specialist:
- In case your water heater is one of the older models that requires special attention for maintenance,
- In the case where other repair attempts have been made by a plumber or HVAC technician and were unsuccessful
- For everyday simple services on complex systems or units such as high-quality tankless heaters
- Certifications to look for: Find out if they are certified by the manufacturer of the water heater brand that you own. Secondly, search for the licensing in water heater installation and repairs in your state.
Factors to Consider When Hiring a Water Heater Repair Professional
It becomes essential to fix a water heater as soon as it requires it, but you can only seek the services of qualified professionals.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. Experience and Expertise
The best person to hire is the one with skills in handling the type of water heater you have.
A few questions that you should ask are how long they have been in business, what types of water heaters they work on, and whether or not they are familiar with your current situation.
2. Licensing and Insurance
One should always confirm whether the professional is licensed and insured.
A licensed professional confirms that they have complied with the standard and received enough training to address the repair.
Insurance protects you in case there is an accident while using the car or if any damages occur to your car while undergoing repair.
3. Cost Estimates
Get an estimate upfront. Qualified personnel will give a detailed quotation after assessing one’s water heater.
Do not trust any source that gives you a quote for the problem without analyzing it in person.
4. Warranty and Guarantees
Whether the repair comes with a warranty or guarantee is also important.
This is important, particularly if spare parts are added to the device.
A warranty means that if the repair does not work, you will not be responsible for paying for it to be done again.
5. Customer feedback and affiliate status
One can use the online search option to check several customers’ reviews or rather request Former customers for recommendations.
Experts who receive positive feedback most of the time are likely to perform well.
Replacing vs. fixing
However, on some occasions, you may not be able to repair your water heater, especially if you have an old water heater.
In most cases, if your water heater is over ten to fifteen years old, it may be high time you started looking for a new one.
They mean frequent repairs often indicate that the system is not functioning well.
The new ones are also known to use less energy, and with today’s changing times, a lot of cash is saved in the long haul.
Conclusion: Select the Proper Person for the Task
Once the water heater starts giving some trouble, one must contact the right technician to fix the problem.
Whether it is a plumber, HVAC technician, electrician, or water heater specialist, each offers expertise in the service.
In this article, I have made it clear that by choosing the type of water heater you have and the nature of the problem, you can make a decision and thus have hot water restored at your home.
For more information or any professional Water Heater repairs you require, you can always contact Finest Heating and Air; our technicians are always on standby to attend to any water heater services you may require.
