In short
A tank that knocks, takes forever to heat, drips at a valve or loses its pilot usually needs a part or a flush, not a new heater. We test the thermocouple, relief valve and drain, and flush scale out of the bottom. If the tank itself has rusted through, we tell you it needs replacing.
Your photo checklist
- The rating plate on the side of the tank
- The burner area, through the sight glass
- The relief valve and pipe
- The drain valve and floor
- The top of the tank and the vent pipe
Leaking right now? Do this first
Water on the floor near the heater? Start here.
- Shut the cold-water valve above the tank, on the inlet line.
- Turn the gas control dial to pilot or off, or if your tank is electric, shut off its breaker.
- Don’t reach near the relief valve outlet; hot water can spray or run from it.
- Slide a bucket under the leak and spread towels to keep it contained.
- Then text a photo to (310) 628-9399 so we can see the spot.
How old is your heater?
Your heater’s age sits inside the serial number printed on its label. Brands don’t agree on how to code it, which makes it hard to read at a glance. Just text us a picture of the label, and we’ll work out the year it was made.
Covered on a Rosemead visit
What decides the cost of a new heater:
- Capacity in gallons
- Fuel type, gas versus electric
- Standard height or a short model
- Location and access, whether closet, garage or exterior
- Any stand or catch pan
- Supply connectors and strapping
- Removal of the old unit
Outside what we take on
- Gas piping of any kind past the existing flex connector.
- Roof, foundation and structural repairs.
- Tearing out and rebuilding a whole bathroom or kitchen.
Free estimate by text.
Repairs, upkeep and tank swaps we handle
- Pilot assemblies, thermocouples and igniters on gas tank heaters
- Temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valves that weep, stick or drip
- Draining and flushing sediment from the bottom of the tank
- Drain valves that drip after a flush or won’t close fully
- Leak checks at the hot and cold connectors, nipples and fittings on top of the tank
- Like-for-like tank replacement: same fuel, similar size, same spot, tied into the existing water, gas and vent connections, with the old tank hauled away
- A walk-around checkup: burner flame, vent connection at the draft hood, pan and floor, and the thermostat setting
Garage heaters in a city of 1950s houses
In many Rosemead ranch houses the water heater sits in the garage or a small closet off the service porch, often on a stand, and it is easy to forget about until the hot water runs short. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey puts the median year built for the city’s housing at 1959, so the closets, stands and pipe runs around these heaters have usually seen several tanks come and go.
Hot water is not a small part of the energy bill, either. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide says water heating “typically accounts for about 18% of your energy usage,” the second largest expense in a home. A heater that short-cycles because of a weak thermocouple or a crust of sediment costs money every day it runs that way, which is a good reason to deal with it early.
Bigger jobs, free estimate
We repair the heater you have, or swap it for a matching tank on the same connections. A new or rerouted gas line, a vent that has to be changed or extended, or a tankless conversion is outside our scope, and we tell you that up front. A new electrical circuit gets its own free estimate. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company first.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add water heater flushing, pressure regulator and expansion tank replacement, water softener installation or shutoff valve replacement.
What to text
A photo of the rating plate on the side of the tank, one wide shot showing the top of the heater and the pan, and a few words on what you notice: no hot water, not enough, a noise or a drip. Text them to (310) 628-9399.
Water heater questions
Can a handyman install a water heater?
Yes, for a similar tank. We replace a tank with a similar one in the same spot. Moves get their own free estimate, and conversions are outside our scope.
Why does my water heater sound like water is running?
A leaking relief valve or drain valve can hiss. Check the discharge pipe; if it drips, we test the relief valve and house pressure.
How long does a water heater replacement take?
Depends on the job; we’ll let you know after we see photos. Hauling the old tank and updating connectors can add time.
The pilot lights but goes out when I let go of the knob. What is that?
Most often the thermocouple, the small probe that tells the gas valve a flame is there. It is a common part swap. If the pilot assembly or the control is the problem instead, we tell you before doing anything else.
Why is water dripping from the pipe on the side of the tank?
That pipe comes from the relief valve. A steady drip usually means the valve has scale on its seat or the tank is running too hot. We test the valve, check the thermostat setting, and swap the valve if it will not reseat.
Do you flush the tank?
Yes. We drain it from the bottom valve until the water runs clear, refill it, and check that the drain valve seals afterward. On a tank that has never been flushed, we go slowly, because heavy sediment can clog an old drain valve.
What temperature should it be set to?
The Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide suggests 120°F, which it calls safe for most of the population. We check where your dial sits and set it where you want it.
How often should a tank be checked?
Once a year is a sensible habit. A yearly look covers the pilot and burner flame, the relief valve, the pan and floor under the tank, and a short drain from the bottom valve to see how much sediment comes out. If the water runs cloudy or gritty for a while, a full flush is worth booking. Also keep stored items clear of the heater and its air supply.
Can you replace the whole water heater?
Yes, when the new tank is a straight swap for the old one: the same fuel, a similar capacity, and a fit in the same garage spot or closet using the existing water, gas and vent hookups. We drain and disconnect the old tank, set the new one, connect it, light it, check every joint for leaks and set the temperature before we leave.
Will you tell me if it is not worth fixing?
Yes. Water seeping from the tank shell means it has rusted through, and no part will fix that. We say so before any work starts, and you decide what happens next.
How do I fix a water heater that’s not heating?
On gas, check the pilot; on electric, check the breaker. If those are fine, a thermocouple, element or thermostat is often to blame.
Is a water heater making noise a problem?
Popping or rumbling usually means sediment in the tank. Flushing it often quiets it down.
Is a leaking water heater dangerous?
A small leak can damage floors and walls, and a dripping relief valve can point to high pressure. Shut off the water to the heater and have it looked at.
Why is my water heater making a knocking noise?
Knocking can come from sediment on the bottom of the tank, or from pipes that move when the water shuts off. If the noise starts with the burner, it is usually scale; if it happens when a faucet closes, the pipes or water pressure are likelier.
Serving Alhambra or San Gabriel too? See our page on water heater repair in Alhambra and the one on water heater repair in San Gabriel.
What is a water heater pilot assembly?
On most gas tanks it is the pilot tube, igniter and thermocouple held together on the burner. When one fails, some brands sell the whole assembly as one part. We match it by tank model and test the flame after.
Jobs that pair with this one
- Water heater flushingClear scale that knocks and slows heating.
- Pressure regulator and expansion tankFix high pressure that strains the tank.
- Water softener installationCut scale from hard water.
- Shutoff valve replacementReplace the cold valve above the tank.
Plumbing tips for Rosemead homes
- Tracking down a leak under the sinkLeak under your kitchen or bathroom sink? Find out if it’s the supply line, shutoff, faucet or drain, and text a photo for a free estimate in Rosemead.
- Hard water scale on faucets, aerators and shower headsHow hard-water scale clogs aerators, wears faucet cartridges and stains fixtures in Rosemead homes, plus the cleaning you can do and repairs we handle.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of plumbing repairs. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.