Coquitlam · Gas, electric and tankless water heaters
Water Heater Repair Coquitlam: Get Your Hot Water Back, Usually the Same Day
No hot water, a tank that’s leaking, or a pilot light that won’t stay lit? Call 778-798-4343. Daniel, a licensed Class B gas fitter, leads every repair. He finds the actual cause, tells you whether the tank can be saved, and gives you a written price before any work starts.
$169 diagnostic at any hour · 8 in 10 repairs done the same day · 1-year workmanship warranty · Gas Contractor License LGA0209945
What is your water heater doing?
Pick the closest match. You don’t need to know which part failed. Describing what you see and hear is enough for us to plan the visit and bring the likely parts.
What your symptom usually means
Most water heater calls in Coquitlam fall into one of four patterns. Each points to a different part of the system, which is why the first step is always a diagnosis rather than a guess.
No hot water at all
On a gas tank, this is usually a pilot that won’t stay lit, a worn thermocouple or flame sensor, a failed gas control valve or a venting problem that trips the safety switch. On an electric tank, it’s often a tripped high-limit, a burnt element or a failed thermostat.
Hot water runs out quickly
Common causes are sediment taking up space at the bottom of the tank, a broken dip tube mixing cold water into the hot, a faulty mixing valve, or a tank that’s simply too small for the household. A thermostat set too low can look like the same problem.
Water around the base
A leak from a fitting, the drain valve or the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve can usually be repaired. If water is coming from the tank body itself, the inner lining has failed and the tank has to be replaced.
Rumbling, popping or a smell
Rumbling and popping usually mean sediment is overheating at the bottom of the tank. A rotten-egg smell in the hot water only is often linked to the anode rod. A smell of gas near the heater is different: leave the house first.
Smell gas? Don’t try to relight the pilot. Leave the house, then call the FortisBC emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 or 911. Once it’s safe, call us for the repair.
What we check on a water heater repair visit
A proper diagnosis covers the burner or elements, the safety controls, the venting and the tank itself. Here’s what we look at for each symptom, so you know what to expect when Daniel or his team arrives.
| Symptom | What we check | What it often means |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot won’t stay lit | Thermocouple or flame sensor, pilot assembly, gas valve, combustion air | A worn sensor is the most common fix. A failed valve costs more but is still a repair. |
| Power-vent unit shuts off | Vent blower, pressure switch, vent length and blockages | Often a blocked or damaged vent rather than a failed heater. |
| Short supply of hot water | Sediment level, dip tube, thermostat setting, mixing valve | Flushing or a dip tube can restore capacity. A tank that’s too small may need an upgrade. |
| Water on the floor | Fittings, drain valve, T&P valve, tank seams | Fittings and valves are repairable. A leaking tank body means replacement. |
| Tankless error code | Error history, flow sensor, igniter, inlet filter, gas supply | Many codes trace back to a dirty filter or scale on the heat exchanger. |
Not sure it’s worth a visit?
Text a photo of the rating label and any error code to 778-798-4343. We’ll tell you what’s likely wrong and whether it sounds like a repair or a replacement.
Repair or replace: how we help you decide
Many residential tanks last roughly 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality, maintenance and how they were installed. Age alone doesn’t decide it, though. A five-year-old tank with a failed gas valve is worth repairing. A tank that’s leaking from the body is not, whatever its age.
Usually a repair
Thermocouple, flame sensor, igniter, gas control valve, elements, thermostat, T&P valve, drain valve, dip tube, anode rod, vent blower and most tankless faults.
Usually a replacement
A leaking tank body, heavy corrosion at the base or top, or an older tank where the repair would cost a large share of a new one. We quote both so you can compare.
If you do replace, a new gas water heater in BC needs to be installed to code, including seismic strapping and a gas permit. Our water heater installation page covers sizing and what’s included. The in-home assessment and quote for a new unit are free.
Water heaters in Coquitlam homes
Coquitlam has a wide mix of housing, and the water heater setup often depends on when the home was built. That affects which parts fail and how long a repair or replacement takes.
Maillardville, Austin Heights and Central Coquitlam
Many older homes here have standard gas tanks in tight utility closets, basements or crawl spaces, sometimes with older chimney venting. Access and venting condition are part of every diagnosis in these homes.
Westwood Plateau, Burke Mountain and newer townhomes
Newer construction often uses power-vented tanks or gas tankless units, which bring blowers, sensors and error codes into the picture. Tankless units also need their inlet filters and heat exchangers kept clean.
A note on Metro Vancouver water
Coquitlam’s water comes from the regional system and is soft, so heavy scale is less common than in hard-water areas. Sediment still settles at the bottom of tanks over time, and a yearly flush helps a tank last longer.
Water heater brands we repair
We work on most residential gas and electric tanks and gas tankless units sold in BC. Having the model and serial number from the rating label helps us bring the right parts on the first visit.
Tank water heaters
Rheem, Bradford White, John Wood, GSW, A.O. Smith, Giant and most other makes, including power-vent and direct-vent models.
Tankless water heaters
Navien, Rinnai and other gas tankless brands, including error code diagnosis, descaling and part replacement.
What water heater repair costs
The diagnostic visit is $169, and it’s the same price at night, on weekends and on holidays. After finding the cause, we give you a written quote for parts and labour. Nothing is done until you approve it.
- You call or text: tell us what the heater is doing. A photo of the label helps.
- Diagnosis: a licensed gas fitter finds the real cause, not just the symptom.
- Written quote: repair and, where it makes sense, replacement prices side by side.
- Repair and warranty: every repair comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Annual Maintenance Plan members get 15% off every repair and priority on emergency calls. Financing is available on approved credit. For routine flushing and safety checks, see water heater service.
Water heater repair questions
How much does water heater repair cost in Coquitlam?
The diagnostic visit is $169, and it’s the same price at night, on weekends and on holidays. After Daniel finds the cause, you get a written quote for the repair. No work starts until you approve it.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If the tank itself is leaking, it needs to be replaced. If a part such as the thermocouple, gas valve, element or T&P valve has failed and the tank is sound, a repair is usually worth it. We show you what we found and give you both options with prices.
How fast can you come to Coquitlam?
No hot water counts as urgent. Emergency calls get a same-day visit, and about 8 in 10 repairs are finished the same day. Call 778-798-4343 and we’ll give you a time.
Do you repair tankless water heaters?
Yes. We service and repair gas tankless units, including Navien and Rinnai, as well as standard gas and electric tanks.
My water smells like rotten eggs. Is that dangerous?
A sulphur smell in the hot water only is usually a reaction inside the tank, often involving the anode rod, and it can be fixed. If you smell gas near the heater, leave the house and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 before calling us.
No hot water in Coquitlam?
Call or text 778-798-4343. The phone is answered 24/7, emergency calls get a same-day visit, and it’s the same price any hour. Efficient Heating Service is based in Burnaby and serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and the rest of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.