Water Heater Repair
When hot water turns unreliable, you need a repair process that finds the real cause, not a guess.
Water Heater Repair starts with safe testing, clear fault isolation, and confirmation that the system can run
consistently after the work is complete. If you want the broader overview of how repair fits alongside maintenance and replacement,
visit our
water heater services overview
.
If your unit needs routine upkeep instead of corrective work, see
ongoing water heater maintenance
.
If the system is at end-of-life or no longer makes sense to repair, review
water heater replacement options
.
What Water Heater Repair Solves Most Often
Repair outcomes depend on accurate diagnosis. Many symptoms look similar from the homeowner side,
but come from different root causes. A proper repair plan isolates the fault first, then confirms the fix under load.
No hot water
- Ignition or flame-sensing faults (gas)
- Heating element or thermostat faults (electric)
- Control board / power supply issues (tankless)
- Safety lockout due to venting or combustion air problems
Not enough hot water
- Sediment reducing tank capacity and heat transfer
- Thermostat calibration drift
- Dip tube wear (tank)
- Scale buildup and flow restriction (tankless)
Water is too hot / temperature swings
- Thermostat or sensor faults
- Mixing valve issues (if present)
- Flow sensor instability (tankless)
- Control configuration or scaling effects
Leak, puddles, or moisture
- Relief valve discharge from pressure or temperature events
- Fittings / unions / flex connectors leaking
- Condensate drain issues (condensing tankless)
- Tank corrosion (end-of-life indicator)
Safety Comes First in Water Heater Repair
Water heater repair can involve gas combustion, venting, electrical circuits, pressure, and hot water temperatures.
Safe repair work starts by verifying shutoffs, confirming safe venting conditions, and ensuring the appliance can run
without creating carbon monoxide, overheating, or pressure discharge events.
- Gas units: combustion safety, venting integrity, and ignition verification
- Electric units: correct voltage, safe wiring, and control stability
- All systems: pressure relief protection and safe operating temperatures
Our Step-by-Step Water Heater Repair Process
A repair that lasts requires a consistent workflow. We follow a structured process so the diagnosis is proven,
the work is clean, and the system is tested after the repair under real operating conditions.
- Symptom confirmation – We confirm what is happening at taps and at the unit (temperature, recovery time, noise, lockouts).
- System identification – Tank vs tankless, fuel type, venting type, age, and prior service history.
- Safety checks – Shutoffs, combustion air and venting verification (gas), and electrical safety checks (electric).
- Root-cause testing – We test the controls and sensors that drive the symptom, not just the symptom itself.
- Corrective work – Targeted component repair or replacement only after fault confirmation.
- Performance verification – Temperature stability, recovery performance, combustion confirmation (gas), and safe shutdown behavior.
- Clean finish + guidance – Clear reporting on what was found, what was done, and what to watch moving forward.
Repair Differences: Tank vs Tankless
Water Heater Repair varies by system type. Tank systems typically fail through heating, control, or tank integrity issues.
Tankless systems often fail through sensor/control faults, scale-related flow problems, venting/condensate issues, or ignition-related lockouts.
Tank water heaters
- Thermostat control drift or faults
- Heating element issues (electric)
- Gas valve / thermocouple / ignition issues (gas)
- Dip tube wear affecting hot water delivery
- Relief valve discharge and pressure behavior
- Tank corrosion (replacement indicator)
Tankless water heaters
- Scale buildup affecting heat transfer and flow
- Flow sensor instability causing temperature swings
- Ignition/flame sensing lockouts
- Condensate drainage or neutralizer issues (condensing)
- Control board, wiring, or power supply faults
- Venting and combustion air constraints
Repair vs Replacement: Making the Right Call
Not every problem should be repaired. The right decision depends on system age, failure type, parts availability,
and whether the issue points to broader wear. A focused Water Heater Repair is a strong option when the system
is structurally sound and the fault is isolated.
Repair tends to make sense when
- The unit is within a reasonable service life range
- The fault is clearly identified (sensor, control, ignition, element)
- Performance returns to stable operation after testing
- No signs of tank failure or chronic recurring errors
Replacement is often smarter when
- The tank is leaking from the body or shows heavy corrosion
- Failures repeat despite prior repairs
- Efficiency and capacity no longer match household needs
- Parts availability is limited and downtime risk is high
Data-Driven: What Drives Water Heater Repair Calls
In residential systems, the most common drivers behind repair calls are predictable:
scaling and sediment, control/sensor drift, ignition reliability, and pressure-related behavior.
These issues often build over time rather than appearing overnight.
- Sediment and mineral scale reduce heat transfer and stability, especially in hard-water conditions.
- Control drift can cause temperature swings and inconsistent recovery performance.
- Ignition and flame sensing issues create lockouts, short cycling, or no-heat conditions on gas systems.
- Pressure and relief discharge often indicates system stress, expansion behavior, or temperature control problems.
- Tankless flow instability can cause hot-cold cycling when sensors are affected by scale or flow changes.
A professional repair plan confirms which category you are dealing with and tests the system after correction
so the problem does not return under normal household use.
Parts Commonly Involved in Water Heater Repair
Different models use different components, but these are common parts that may be inspected or replaced during repair,
depending on diagnosis and system type.
- Thermostats and temperature sensors
- Heating elements (electric tanks)
- Gas valves and ignition components
- Thermocouples / flame sensors (gas)
- Pressure relief valves and safety devices
- Control boards and wiring connections
- Flow sensors (tankless)
- Mixing valves (where present)
- Condensate components (condensing tankless)
- Seals, fittings, unions, and connectors
Water Heater Brands We Repair
- Rheem water heater repair
- Bradford White
- A. O. Smith
- Giant
- Navien
- Rinnai
- Noritz
- John Wood
Related Repair Services
If you are troubleshooting multiple comfort systems in the home, you may also want to review
boiler repair
heat pump repair
furnace repair
air conditioning repair
gas fireplace repair
Check Your Water Heater Warranty
Before scheduling service, it’s often helpful to confirm whether your water heater is still under warranty. Most manufacturers allow you to check coverage using the unit’s serial number. Use the official warranty lookup tools below for the brands we commonly service.
If your water heater is still under warranty, we can help guide you through the next steps and, in many cases, handle covered repairs. If coverage has expired, we can still diagnose the issue and recommend the most cost-effective repair or replacement options.
Water Heater Repair Across the Lower Mainland
Repair needs can vary by home age, water quality, and system type.
Below are city-specific pages covering common water heater problems
and repair solutions across the Lower Mainland.
Water heater repair services in Burnaby | Fixing water heater issues in Vancouver homes | Water heater troubleshooting in Richmond |
| Professional water heater repair in Surrey | Diagnosing water heater problems in Coquitlam | Water heater repair support in Port Coquitlam |
| Hot water repair solutions in Port Moody | Water heater repair options in New Westminster | Repairing residential water heaters in North Vancouver |
| Water heater repair services in West Vancouver | Addressing water heater failures in Delta | Water heater repair for Langley homes |
| Resolving hot water problems in Maple Ridge | Water heater repair in Pitt Meadows | Water heater troubleshooting in White Rock |
| Repairing water heaters in Abbotsford | Water heater repair services in Mission | Water heater repair support in Tsawwassen |
Why Choose Efficient Heating Service
Strong Water Heater Repair comes down to diagnosis quality and verification.
We focus on safe testing, clean workmanship, and clear reporting so you know what failed,
why it failed, and what was done to restore stable operation.
- Licensed, insured technicians
- Code-aware work for gas, venting, and electrical safety
- Clear options and approvals before parts are changed
- Performance testing after repair so the fix holds
Call 778-798-4343 to book Water Heater Repair or ask a question about your symptoms.
Water Heater Repair FAQ
Is a leaking water heater always repairable?
Not always. Leaks from fittings or valves may be repairable. Leaks from the tank body often indicate corrosion and end-of-life.
Why does my water go hot, then cold, then hot again?
Temperature swings can be related to control/sensor stability, flow changes, or scale buildup, especially on tankless systems.
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
Treat gas odor seriously. Shut the gas off if it is safe to do so, ventilate the area, and contact a qualified professional.
Can sediment cause a water heater to stop working?
Yes. Heavy sediment can reduce heat transfer, affect sensors, and reduce usable hot water capacity, leading to performance issues.
Will repair improve efficiency?
It can when the issue is related to control drift, combustion stability, or scale-related restrictions that are affecting performance.
Book Water Heater Repair
If your hot water is inconsistent, your unit is leaking, or the system is shutting down,
we can diagnose the cause and confirm the solution with proper testing.
Call 778-798-4343 or book service through our website.