Your Water Heater Repair Guide: When DIY Doesn't Cut It

When your steamy daily shower turns into a cold-water therapy session, it’s time to seek a water heater repairman. You may be tempted to break out your DIY skills, especially if you’re a skilled handyman.

The average water heater, though, has a complicated setup. Plus, it’s an integral part of your daily routine. If you break it further, you could compromise hot water and plumbing in general for days at your house.

Keep reading to learn more about why you shouldn’t DIY your water heater repair. We’ll also tell you what you can do on your own to start the process of fixing water heater damage.

What You Can Do

Unless you have extensive training in plumbing and electrical work, you should not attempt to repair your water heater on your own. You can do one thing, though, before you call in a professional. Check your warranty.

Commercial and residential water heaters come with limited warranties. Your water heater repair cost will go down significantly if you have a warranty left on your water heater.

Look for the rating plate with the serial number and model number on it. These two numbers indicate when your tank was made and if it has a warranty on it. Write down the information or take a picture, and then call the manufacturer.

Explain the problem to the manufacturer and see if they can help you out. Note that you will still have to cover field labor. Typically the warranty just covers parts.

When checking your warranty first, you can lower your bill and help your technician out before they arrive.

When to Call a Plumber

Your broken water heater will need either a plumber or an electrician. Don’t feel bad about your needed repair. Even when you conduct perfect hot water heater maintenance, your water heater will wear out.

Call your plumber first before you call an electrician. Your plumber has extensive training in water heater repair and knows the ins and outs of heating elements, gas lines, and anode rods. If you have a wiring problem in the water heater, your plumber can fix it.

Furthermore, the plumber can repair a leaky water heater and will know if he needs to swap out corroded valves or faulty pilot lights.

If the tank itself is corroded, you will need a new water heater. Your plumber cannot fix this problem.

When to Call an Electrician

If you have an electric water heater, you may want to call an electrician before a plumber. If your water heater is tripping your home’s circuit, you probably have a wiring problem completely unrelated to the water heater. A licensed electrician can diagnose and fix the problem if your water heater fuse box keeps overheating or blowing out.

An electrician can also check your water heater’s wiring to ensure it’s functioning properly. Loose water heater wiring can trip the reset button. An electrician can fix this problem.

Stay Safe, Don’t DIY

A water heater repair requires a professional unless you have extensive plumbing and electrical training. You can save some footwork for the electrician and plumber by checking your warranty. Then contact the pros.

Do you need an electrician? We can help. Our family-owned business has been serving customers since 1945.