Water Heater Repair and Installation in Marietta, GA
Water heater repair and installation in Marietta, GA is the diagnosis, repair, replacement and new installation of gas and electric water heaters by a licensed plumber. Plumber Marietta GA restores hot water for homes and businesses across Marietta and Cobb County, 24 hours a day. Call (770) 230-0611.
Water heater work is part of our 24/7 plumbing service in Marietta. Our licensed plumbers repair and install all major tank brands, in both gas and electric models.
What Are the Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair?
A water heater needs repair when it produces no hot water, too little hot water, discolored water, strange noises or a leak. These 7 signs point to a failing part or a failing tank:
| Sign | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No hot water | Pilot out, failed igniter, tripped breaker, failed heating element |
| Hot water runs out fast | Sediment buildup, failed lower element, broken dip tube |
| Water too hot or too cold | Failed thermostat or gas control valve |
| Popping or rumbling noise | Sediment boiling at the bottom of the tank |
| Rusty or brown hot water | Corroded tank or worn anode rod |
| Rotten-egg smell in hot water | Reaction between the anode rod and bacteria in the tank |
| Water around the base | Leaking drain valve, T&P valve, fittings or tank |
A leak from the tank body itself means the tank is failing and needs replacement. A leak from a valve or fitting is usually repairable. A heater that floods the floor needs an emergency plumber in Marietta, GA.
What Water Heater Repairs Do Our Marietta Plumbers Make?
Our Marietta plumbers make 9 common water heater repairs: thermostat, heating element, gas valve, thermocouple or flame sensor, igniter, dip tube, anode rod, T&P relief valve and drain valve replacement. The repair depends on the fuel type.
Electric Water Heater Repairs
Electric water heater repairs focus on the heating elements, thermostats and the breaker circuit. An electric tank has 2 heating elements, upper and lower, each controlled by its own thermostat. A failed lower element causes hot water to run out quickly. A failed upper element causes no hot water at all.
Gas Water Heater Repairs
Gas water heater repairs focus on the pilot, igniter, thermocouple or flame sensor, gas control valve and burner. The thermocouple is a safety sensor that shuts off gas when the pilot flame goes out. A worn thermocouple causes the pilot to go out repeatedly.
Repairs for Both Types
Both gas and electric water heaters use a dip tube, an anode rod, a T&P relief valve and a drain valve.
- Dip tube: a plastic tube that carries cold water to the bottom of the tank. A broken dip tube mixes cold water into the hot water outlet.
- Anode rod: a magnesium or aluminum rod that corrodes in place of the steel tank. A worn anode rod leaves the tank lining exposed to rust.
- T&P relief valve: a safety valve that releases water when tank temperature or pressure rises too high. A dripping T&P valve signals a failed valve or excess pressure.
- Drain valve: a valve near the tank bottom used for flushing sediment. Plastic drain valves often start to drip with age.
Do You Repair or Replace a Water Heater?
Repair a water heater when a single part fails on a tank that is not leaking. Replace it when the tank leaks, rusts, or reaches the end of its service life. The US Department of Energy places the typical life of a tank water heater at 10 to 15 years.
Replacement is the better choice in these 4 cases:
- The tank body leaks.
- The hot water is rusty and the anode rod is already replaced.
- The heater is 10 years old or older and needs a major repair.
- The household has grown and the tank no longer supplies enough hot water.
Our guide Water Heater Repair or Replace walks through the decision step by step. Our water heater replacement cost guide for Marietta explains what sets the price.
How Does Water Heater Installation Work?
A water heater installation works in 6 steps: sizing, removal, setting the new unit, connecting water and fuel, installing safety parts, and testing.
- Size the heater. The plumber matches tank capacity to household size and peak hot water use.
- Remove the old heater. The plumber shuts off fuel and water, drains the old tank and hauls it away.
- Set the new heater. The plumber places the unit on a stand or in a drain pan where required.
- Connect water and fuel. The plumber connects the water lines, then the gas line and vent or the electrical circuit.
- Install safety parts. The plumber installs a new T&P relief valve discharge line and an expansion tank where the system requires one.
- Test the system. The plumber fills the tank, checks for leaks, lights or powers the unit, and sets the temperature.
Our plumber handles any permit and inspection that Cobb County or the City of Marietta requires for the installation.
Which Water Heater Size and Type Fits a Marietta Home?
Most Marietta homes use a 40- or 50-gallon tank water heater, fueled by natural gas or electricity, sized to the number of people and bathrooms in the home. Larger households and homes with large tubs use 75-gallon tanks or tankless units.
| Household | Typical tank size |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people | 40 gallons |
| 3–4 people | 50 gallons |
| 5 or more people | 75 gallons or tankless |
A tankless water heater heats water on demand instead of storing it. ENERGY STAR lists a life expectancy of about 20 years for tankless units. The US Department of Energy rates tankless heaters 8% to 34% more efficient than storage heaters, depending on daily hot water use. See tankless water heater installation in Marietta and Tank vs Tankless Water Heater for Marietta Homes.
How Do You Extend the Life of a Water Heater?
Flush the tank once a year, check the anode rod every 2 to 3 years, and test the T&P relief valve once a year. These 4 steps slow sediment buildup and tank corrosion:
- Flush sediment from the tank through the drain valve once a year.
- Inspect the anode rod and replace it when the core wire shows.
- Lift the T&P valve lever once a year to confirm water flows and stops.
- Set the thermostat to 120°F, the setting the US Department of Energy recommends for most households.
Minerals in the water settle as sediment at the bottom of the tank. A water softener installation in Marietta reduces mineral buildup in the heater and in the pipes.
Water Heater Guides for Marietta Homeowners
Water heater noises and leaks have specific causes. Read Water Heater Making Popping or Rumbling Noise and Why Is My Water Heater Leaking to identify the problem before calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a water heater last in Marietta, GA?
A tank water heater lasts 10 to 15 years, according to the US Department of Energy. Sediment, water quality and maintenance shorten or extend that range.
Why does my water heater run out of hot water quickly?
A water heater runs out of hot water quickly for 4 reasons: sediment buildup, a failed lower element, a broken dip tube, or an undersized tank.
Can you replace a water heater the same day?
Our plumbers carry common 40- and 50-gallon gas and electric tanks and replace most standard water heaters on the day of the visit. Special sizes and tankless units require ordering.
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
A water heater leaking from the tank body is an emergency. Close the cold water valve on top, turn off the gas or the breaker, and call (770) 230-0611.
Do you install gas and electric water heaters?
Yes. We repair, replace and install both gas and electric tank water heaters and tankless units across Marietta and Cobb County.
Call for Water Heater Repair in Marietta, GA
No hot water, a leak or a noisy tank? Call (770) 230-0611. Plumber Marietta GA repairs and installs water heaters across Marietta, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Roswell, Acworth and Vinings, 24/7.