Water Heater Repair in Northern Virginia & Maryland

No hot water, a leaking tank, or a pilot light that won’t stay lit? AVS Heating & Air Conditioning repairs every type of water heater: gas, electric, tankless and hybrid, all major brands. We offer same-day service across Northern Virginia and Maryland, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A licensed technician finds the cause, tells you the price before any work starts, and gets your hot water back.

Call 703-457-9028 (Virginia) or 301-686-7129 (Maryland).

• 4.8★ on Google
• Family owned and operated for 30+ years
• Same-day service, 24/7 emergency line
• Licensed in Virginia and Maryland
• All major water heater brands
• Financing available

Water Heater Emergency? What to Do Right Now

Some water heater problems can wait until morning. Others can’t. If you see any of the situations below, take these steps first, then call our 24/7 line and we’ll take it from there.

• You smell gas near a gas water heater: leave the house right away. Don’t use light switches or phones inside. Call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
• Water is leaking from the tank: turn off the cold water supply valve on top of the heater. Then turn off the power at the breaker (electric) or set the gas control valve to “Off” or “Vacation” (gas).
• The relief valve is releasing water or steam: don’t plug or cap the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. It’s a safety device. Turn off power or gas and keep people away from the discharge pipe.
• Your carbon monoxide alarm goes off: get everyone outside and call 911. A gas water heater with a blocked vent can be the source.
• No hot water, but no leak or smell: try the safe checks in the next section before you call.

Leak, gas smell or no hot water? Call 24/7: VA 703-457-9028 · MD 301-686-7129

No Hot Water? Safe Checks Before You Call

A few simple checks sometimes bring the hot water back, or at least tell the technician where to start. Only do what’s safe. If a check fails a second time, stop and call us.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric units have no pilot. When they stop heating, the cause is usually power, a tripped safety switch or a failed heating element.

• Check the water heater’s breaker. If it has tripped, reset it once.
• Press the red reset (high-limit) button behind the upper access panel once, with the power off.
• If the breaker or reset button trips again, don’t keep resetting it. That usually points to a shorted heating element, a failed thermostat or a wiring fault.
• After a power outage, check the breaker and the reset button first.

Gas Water Heaters

Gas units depend on the pilot light (or an electronic igniter), a working thermocouple and a steady gas supply.

• Look through the sight glass. Is the pilot flame lit?
• Make sure the gas control valve is set to “On” and the gas supply valve is open.
• Check whether other gas appliances are working, which tells you whether the gas supply is the problem.
• If you relight the pilot using the steps on the unit’s label and it goes out again when you release the button, the thermocouple is the usual suspect. Call us.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless units report most faults on their display, which makes the technician’s job faster.

• Write down any error code shown on the display.
• Check that the unit has power and that the gas and water valves are open.
• If hot water comes and goes, or the flow feels weak, scale buildup inside the heat exchanger is a common cause.

Common Water Heater Problems We Repair

Most water heater repairs come down to a handful of parts. Here are the problems homeowners call us about most, what usually causes them, and what our technicians check.

Water Heater Not Heating or Running Out Fast

Lukewarm water, hot water that runs out quickly, or inconsistent water temperature usually means one part of the heating system isn’t doing its job.

• Electric: a failed upper or lower heating element, or a faulty thermostat
• Gas: a burner or gas valve problem, or heavy sediment buildup insulating the tank bottom
• A broken dip tube: cold water mixes with the hot water at the top of the tank, so the heater “runs but doesn’t heat”
• Thermostat setting: we check it’s set correctly (120°F is a common, energy-saving setting)
• An undersized tank: if the household has grown, the tank’s size or first-hour rating may no longer keep up

Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

A pilot that won’t light or won’t stay lit is one of the most common gas water heater calls. The fix is usually a single part.

• A worn or dirty thermocouple (or thermopile) that no longer holds the gas valve open
• A dirty pilot tube or orifice
• Drafts or a venting problem that blows the flame out
• A failing gas control valve

Water Heater Leaking

A leak can be a loose fitting or a tank at the end of its life. The next section explains how the location of the leak tells you which. Either way, turn off the water supply and call early. Water pooling around the tank can quickly damage floors, walls and a finished basement.

Strange Noises: Popping, Rumbling, Hissing or Knocking

Water heaters make some noise, but loud or new sounds usually have a clear cause.

• Popping or rumbling: sediment buildup on the tank bottom or the heating elements. A flush often helps.
• Hissing or sizzling: water dripping onto the burner, or a leak at a fitting
• Knocking or banging: water hammer in the pipes or high water pressure, sometimes because an expansion tank is missing or failed
• High-pitched whistling: a partly closed valve or a relief valve under stress

Rusty, Discolored or Smelly Hot Water

When only the hot water is rusty, discolored or smells like rotten eggs, the water heater is the likely source, not your pipes.

• Rusty or discolored hot water: a worn-out anode rod, or corrosion starting inside the tank
• Rotten-egg (sulfur) smell: bacteria in the water reacting with the anode rod. A different anode and a flush usually solve it.
• A gas smell is different: it’s not a water problem. Leave the house and call your gas utility.

Electric Water Heater Tripping the Breaker

A breaker that trips once may be a fluke. One that trips again and again is protecting you from a fault.

• A shorted or grounded heating element
• A failed thermostat or high-limit switch
• Loose or burned wiring at the terminals
• A breaker that is worn out itself

Tankless Water Heater Problems

Tankless units are reliable, but they need a clean heat exchanger and steady water flow to fire.

• Error codes for ignition, flame or overheating
• Scale buildup from hard water, cleared by descaling (flushing)
• A dirty inlet filter or a faulty flow sensor that doesn’t detect water flow
• Venting and gas-supply issues on gas models

Water Heater Leaking? Where the Leak Starts Tells You a Lot

Before you assume the whole unit is finished, look at where the water is coming from. Many leaks are repairable. A leak from the tank body is not.

• From the top: loose or corroded pipe connections, fittings or the cold water inlet. Usually a repair.
• From the relief valve or its discharge pipe: too much pressure or heat, a failing T&P valve, or a missing expansion tank. Usually a repair, and an important one.
• From the drain valve (bottom front): a worn or loose drain valve. Usually a repair.
• From behind a side panel (electric): a leaking heating element gasket. Often a repair.
• From the bottom of the tank itself: internal corrosion has worn through the tank. This can’t be repaired. The water heater needs replacing, and a drain pan helps protect the floor until then.

We Repair Every Type of Water Heater

Whatever is in your basement, utility room, closet or garage, our technicians can work on it. We service all major brands.

Gas Water Heater Repair

Gas water heaters need a safe flame and safe venting. We repair pilot lights and igniters, thermocouples, gas control valves, burners and venting, and we check for proper draft so combustion gases leave the home.

Electric Water Heater Repair

Electric models rely on heating elements, thermostats and a high-limit switch. We test each part with a meter, replace what has failed, and find the reason a breaker keeps tripping.

Tankless Water Heater Repair

Tankless units fail differently from tanks. We read the error codes, descale the heat exchanger, clean the inlet filter, and repair ignition, flow-sensor and venting problems on gas and electric tankless models.

Hybrid (Heat Pump) Water Heater Repair

Hybrid water heaters combine a heat pump with backup electric elements. Because AVS is also an HVAC company, our technicians work on both the heat-pump side and the water-heating side.

Commercial Water Heater Repair

We also repair water heaters for businesses and rental properties, where hot water downtime affects customers and tenants.

Same-Day Water Heater Repair: How a Visit Works

You shouldn’t have to guess what happens after you call. This is what an AVS water heater repair looks like from start to finish.

1. Call or book online. Our VA and MD lines are answered 24/7, and same-day service is available.
2. Diagnosis. A licensed technician tests the unit, the thermostat, the elements or burner, the valves and the venting, and finds the actual cause.
3. A clear price before any work. You hear what’s wrong, what it will take to fix, and the price. Nothing happens without your OK.
4. Repair and testing. We make the repair, run the water heater through a full heating cycle, check for leaks and test the relief valve.
5. Honest advice. If replacing the water heater makes more sense than repairing it, we’ll say so and explain your options, including financing.

How Much Does Water Heater Repair Cost?

The cost of a water heater repair depends on what failed. That’s why we diagnose first and give you the price before any work starts. A diagnostic fee applies to find the problem.

These things affect the price of the repair:

• The part: a thermocouple, heating element, thermostat, drain valve, T&P valve, anode rod or gas control valve
• The type of water heater: gas, electric, tankless or hybrid
• Access: tight closets, attics and crawl spaces take longer
• Extra work found during the visit: for example, an expansion tank or a drain pan

Check your warranty first. Many water heaters carry a tank and parts warranty. The details are on the unit’s label and in the manufacturer’s documents. Our technician can help you check before you pay for parts.

Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?

Not every water heater problem means buying a new unit. Age, leak location and the condition of the tank are what decide it. We’ll give you our honest recommendation either way.

Repair Usually Makes Sense When…

A repair is often the smart choice when the tank itself is sound.

• The water heater is under about 8-10 years old
• The problem is a part: an element, thermostat, thermocouple, valve or anode rod
• The leak comes from a fitting or valve, not from the tank body
• The unit is still under warranty

Replacement Usually Makes Sense When…

Sometimes a repair only buys a few months. That’s when replacement is the better value.

• The tank is leaking from the bottom or the tank body
• A tank water heater is around 10-12 years old or more and needs repeated repairs
• Hot water is rusty because the tank is corroding
• The water heater can no longer keep up with your household’s hot water needs

When replacement is the right call, see our water heater replacement and tankless water heater options. Financing is available.

How to Find Your Water Heater’s Age

Not sure how old your water heater is? The manufacture date is on the rating label on the side of the tank, often coded into the serial number (the format varies by brand). Tell us the brand and serial number when you call, or our technician will check it on site.

Keep Your Water Heater Running Longer

Most water heater problems build slowly. A little routine maintenance prevents many of the repairs above and helps the unit last longer.

• Flush a tank water heater once a year to clear sediment buildup
• Have the anode rod checked every few years
• Test the T&P relief valve
• Descale tankless water heaters, especially in homes with hard water

Learn more about our water heater maintenance.

Why Homeowners Choose AVS for Water Heater Repair

AVS is a family-owned company that has served Northern Virginia and Maryland for over 30 years. Homeowners call us back because we answer the phone, show up and tell them the truth about their equipment.

• Same-day service and a 24/7 emergency line, 365 days a year: VA 703-457-9028 · MD 301-686-7129
• 4.8★ on Google. Customers often mention knowledgeable technicians and quick diagnosis.
• Licensed: VA HVAC #2705039269A · MD HVAC #520714137895 · MD Home Improvement #4192876. Training and manufacturer certificates are on our Awards & Certificates page.
• Every type and all major brands: gas, electric, tankless and hybrid, residential and commercial
• One company for your whole home: your water heater plus your furnace, heat pump, boiler and air conditioning
• Price before work and financing available

Water Heater Repair Across Northern Virginia & Maryland

We repair water heaters in 75+ cities across Northern Virginia and Maryland. From our Fairfax office we cover Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Loudoun and Prince William County in Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s County in Maryland.

Water Heater Repair FAQ

These are the questions homeowners ask us most, and the ones people search for most often.

How much does it cost to fix a water heater?

It depends on the part that failed and the type of water heater. We charge a diagnostic fee to find the problem, then give you the full repair price before any work starts.

Is it worth repairing a water heater?

Usually yes, if the water heater is under about 8-10 years old and the tank isn’t leaking. A leak from the tank body, or an older unit that needs repeated repairs, usually makes replacement the better value.

How long does a water heater last?

Most tank water heaters last roughly 8-12 years. Tankless water heaters often last longer with regular descaling. Water quality and maintenance make a big difference.

What is the most common water heater problem?

Sediment buildup is the most common, followed by failed heating elements and thermostats on electric units, and pilot or thermocouple problems on gas units.

Why is my water heater running but not heating the water?

Common causes are a failed heating element, a faulty thermostat, a broken dip tube, or heavy sediment in the tank. A technician can test each one.

How do I reset my water heater?

On an electric water heater, turn off the power and press the red reset button behind the upper panel once. On a gas unit, follow the relighting steps on the label. If it trips or goes out again, call us instead of repeating it.

Is it an emergency if the pilot light goes out?

Not by itself. A pilot can go out from a draft or a worn thermocouple. But if you smell gas, it is an emergency. Leave the house and call your gas utility.

Does a leaking water heater need to be replaced?

Not always. Leaks from fittings, the drain valve or the relief valve can usually be repaired. A leak from the tank body means the tank has corroded, and the water heater needs replacing.

Can tankless water heaters be repaired?

Yes. Most tankless problems, such as scale buildup, ignition faults, flow-sensor and venting issues, can be repaired. Regular descaling prevents many of them.

Do you offer same-day and emergency water heater repair?

Yes. We offer same-day service, and our emergency lines are answered 24/7, 365 days a year: VA 703-457-9028, MD 301-686-7129.

Do you repair all water heater brands?

Yes. We repair all major brands of gas, electric, tankless and hybrid models.

Get Your Hot Water Back Today

No hot water, a leak, or a pilot that won’t stay lit? Call AVS for same-day water heater repair anywhere in Northern Virginia or Maryland. Tell us the brand, the age and what you’re seeing, and we’ll take it from there.

Call 703-457-9028 (Virginia) or 301-686-7129 (Maryland).