Repair first, when it makes sense
Water Heater Repair in Reno and Sparks
No hot water, a leak, rumbling or a pilot that won't stay lit. Honest diagnosis, common parts on the truck, and a repair when a repair makes sense.
No hot water, a tank that rumbles, a pilot that will not stay lit, or a puddle on the garage floor: those calls are what this company is named for. Tanks Water Heaters and Plumbing repairs tank and tankless water heaters across Reno, Sparks and the surrounding towns, and the phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day.
We start with an honest diagnosis. If a part is the problem, we fix the part. If the tank itself has failed or the repair would cost more than it is worth, we tell you that plainly and show you why, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. Estimates are free.
What's included
- Tank & tankless repair
- Common parts on the truck
- Honest repair or replace advice
- Open 24 hours
Signs your water heater needs a repair
Water heaters give warnings before they quit. The sooner you call, the more likely it is a repair and not a replacement.
- No hot water at all, or hot water that runs out much faster than it used to
- Rumbling, popping or knocking from the tank, which usually means sediment has built up on the bottom
- Water around the base, a dripping relief valve, or a wet drain valve
- Rusty or cloudy hot water, or a rotten egg smell from the hot side only
- A gas pilot that goes out, a burner that will not light, or an error code on a tankless display
- Water that is much hotter or colder than the setting
What we repair
Most water heater problems come down to a handful of parts, and we carry common ones on the truck so the fix can happen on the first visit. On gas tank heaters that means thermocouples and thermopiles, gas control valves, igniters, burner and pilot assemblies, and venting problems. On every tank it means temperature and pressure relief valves, drain valves, anode rods and sediment flushing.
On tankless units we troubleshoot error codes, clean or replace flame sensors and igniters, check gas supply and venting, and descale heat exchangers that have built up mineral scale. If your tankless heater is shutting down mid shower or never gets fully hot, scale and gas supply are the first two things we check.
Repair or replace: how we decide with you
A tank that is leaking from the body cannot be repaired. Steel tanks fail from the inside out, and once the lining lets go, the only fix is a new heater. Everything else is a judgment call, and we make it with you, not for you.
We look at the age of the heater, the condition of the tank, how much the repair costs compared to a new unit, and whether the heater still fits how your household uses hot water. A ten year old tank with a bad thermocouple is usually worth a repair. A tank near the end of its life with sediment, rust and a failing valve usually is not. When replacement is the better money, we can usually do it same day or next day, because we keep tanks and parts on the truck.
Why water heaters wear out faster around Reno and Sparks
The water across the Truckee Meadows carries a lot of dissolved minerals. Heat drives those minerals out of the water, and they settle in the bottom of a tank or coat the inside of a tankless heat exchanger. That layer is what makes a tank rumble, it makes the burner work harder, and over time it shortens the life of the heater. Flushing a tank and descaling a tankless unit on schedule is the cheapest repair there is.
Most heaters here sit in garages, and winter nights in the high desert drop well below freezing. A heater in a cold garage works harder all winter, and cold incoming water means longer run times. Reno sits around 4,500 feet, and gas appliances are rated for elevation, so burner setup and venting matter more here than they do at sea level.
What happens when you call
Call or text (775) 997-8071 at any hour. If water is leaking, we will walk you through shutting off the cold water supply to the heater and turning the gas valve to off or pilot, so the damage stops while the truck is on the way.
On site we find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and give you the price before any work starts. When the job is done we test it, clean up, and make sure you have hot water before we leave.
Related: Water Heater Installation, Tankless Water Heaters, 24/7 Emergency Plumbing, Gas Line Installation.
Water Heater Repair: common questions
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
A slow drip from the relief valve or drain valve can usually wait for a scheduled visit, but water coming from the tank itself means the tank has failed and can let go at any time. Shut off the cold water supply valve on top of the heater, turn the gas valve to off or pilot (or switch off the breaker on an electric heater) and call us. The line is open 24 hours.
Why is my water heater making popping or rumbling noises?
That sound is almost always sediment. Minerals from the water settle on the bottom of the tank, and water trapped under that layer boils and pops as the burner fires. A flush can help if the buildup is caught early. If the tank is older and heavily scaled, we will tell you whether a flush is still worth doing.
Can an older water heater still be repaired?
Often, yes. Age alone does not decide it. If the tank is sound and the problem is a part like a thermocouple, gas valve or relief valve, a repair makes sense. If the tank is leaking or badly corroded, replacement is the honest answer, and we will show you what we found.
Do you repair tankless water heaters?
Yes. We troubleshoot tankless error codes, descale heat exchangers, check gas supply and venting, and replace failed sensors and igniters. See our tankless water heater page for more on sizing, installation and service.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Estimates are free, and you get the price before any work starts.
