Water Heater Repair, Maintenance & Installation Services

A tank water heater is often a good choice for people who want a lower upfront cost and a steady supply of stored hot water. A tankless water heater heats water on demand, takes up less space, and may offer better energy efficiency. The right option depends on your household size, hot water usage, preferences, budget, and existing plumbing.

Hot water odors may come from bacteria, sediment, or the water heater’s anode rod. A professional inspection can help identify the cause.

You may run out of hot water if your heater is too small, has sediment buildup, or has a failing component. Repair or replacement may be needed.

The right size depends on your household’s hot water demand, including the number of bathrooms, appliances, and how many fixtures may be used at the same time. Our professionals at Tri County Water Conditioning can calculate the required flow rate and temperature rise to recommend the right tankless water heater for your home.

Most water heaters have a temperature control located behind an access panel (electric models) or near the gas control valve (gas models). For electric water heaters, you will need to turn off the breaker and adjust the dials with a screwdriver. If you have a tankless unit, you will likely be able to use the digital control panel.

Adjust the setting gradually and avoid setting it too high. For most homes, 120°F to 140°F provides a good balance of comfort, efficiency, and safety.

A standard water heater installation typically takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the type of unit and whether plumbing, venting, or electrical upgrades are needed. More complex installations may take longer.

Replacing an existing water heater usually takes 2 to 4 hours. If modifications to plumbing, gas lines, electrical connections, or venting are required, the project may take additional time.

Most water heaters should be flushed once a year to remove sediment buildup. Homes with hard water may benefit from more frequent flushing. Regular maintenance helps improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and reduce the risk of repairs.

Consider replacing your water heater if it:

• Is more than 10 years old
• Requires frequent repairs
• Leaks
• Produces rusty or discolored water
• No longer provides enough hot water for your needs

A professional inspection can help determine whether repair or replacement is the best option.

A lack of hot water may be caused by a tripped breaker, thermostat problems, sediment buildup, pilot light issues, a faulty heating element, or a failed component. If basic troubleshooting doesn’t solve the problem, schedule professional service to diagnose and repair the unit safely.

For electric water heaters, turn off the breaker and locate and press the reset button behind the upper access panel. Gas water heaters typically do not have a standard reset button. Instead, “resetting” often means relighting the pilot light, checking the gas control valve, or cycling the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

On some gas water heaters, there is a thermal reset switch. This safety device trips when the unit overheats or doesn’t get proper airflow, and it can prevent the pilot from staying lit. On models with a resettable version, turn off the gas before resetting. You can then typically press the small button in the center of the thermal switch until it clicks, then relight the pilot.

Tankless units are often reset through a power cycle or a control-panel reset rather than a simple button. Turn the unit off, wait briefly, then turn it back on; some models also have an error-code reset sequence on the display. If an error code returns, the code matters more than the reset itself because it usually points to the underlying fault.

If your unit’s reset button trips repeatedly or the heater still doesn’t work, contact our professionals.

Most manufacturers recommend setting your water heater to 120°F. This temperature helps provide comfortable hot water while reducing energy use and lowering the risk of scalding.

Most tank water heaters take 30 to 90 minutes to fully heat a new tank of water, depending on the size of the tank and whether it is gas or electric. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, so hot water is available within seconds after reaching the fixture.

Turn off the power or gas supply and shut off the water to the unit if it is safe to do so. Leaks may be caused by a loose drain valve, condensation, a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, or a cracked tank. Contact our professionals to inspect the water heater and recommend the appropriate repair or replacement.

Routine maintenance includes flushing the tank annually, inspecting the temperature and pressure relief valve, looking for leaks or corrosion, and scheduling professional tune-ups. If you have hard water, installing a water softener can also help reduce mineral buildup and extend the life of your water heater.

An expansion tank is often required when your home’s plumbing system is closed, such as when a pressure-reducing valve or backflow prevention device is installed. The expansion tank helps absorb increased water pressure as water heats, protecting your plumbing system and water heater from unnecessary stress. Local plumbing codes determine when an expansion tank is required.