Water Heater Repair in Fredericksburg, VA
A cold shower or a puddle under the tank can’t wait until next week. Robert B. Payne repairs gas and electric water heaters around the clock across Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania, and we give you the price before we start.
- Gas and electric water heaters
- 24/7 service
- Upfront pricing before work starts
- 100% satisfaction guarantee on repairs
Replacing a worn-out unit? See water heater installation and replacement. Heating problem instead? See heating repair.
Water Heater Problems We Fix
- No hot water at all
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to
- Water temperature swings from hot to lukewarm
- Water leaking around the base or from the top fittings
- Rusty or bad-smelling hot water
- Rumbling or popping sounds while the unit heats
- A gas pilot that won’t stay lit
- An electric water heater that keeps tripping its breaker
- A unit that shuts off often
Many water heater problems, like no hot water, uneven heating or noise, can be diagnosed and repaired for less than the cost of a new unit.
Source: Robert B. PayneQuick Checks Before You Call
These take a few minutes and sometimes solve the problem.
Check the breaker (electric)
Find the water heater breaker in your panel. If it has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call us.
Check the pilot (gas)
Look through the viewing window near the bottom of the tank. If the pilot is out, follow the lighting steps on the label on your tank. If it won’t stay lit, call us.
Check the gas control
Make sure the gas supply valve to the water heater is open and the control knob is set to On, not Pilot or Vacation.
Check the temperature setting
Someone may have turned the dial down. Raise it a little, wait for the tank to recover, then test a hot tap.
If you smell gas near your water heater, don’t light the pilot, use light switches or run anything electrical. Leave the house and call your gas company or 911 from outside.
Common Water Heater Repairs We Make in Fredericksburg
| Part or repair | What you notice | Gas or electric |
|---|---|---|
| Thermostat | Water too hot, not hot enough, or no heat at all | Both |
| Heating element | Lukewarm water, or hot water that runs out fast | Electric |
| Gas valve, thermocouple or flame sensor | Pilot won’t stay lit, or the burner won’t light | Gas |
| Anode rod | Rusty or rotten-egg-smelling hot water | Both |
| Temperature and pressure relief valve | Water dripping or spraying from the valve or its discharge pipe | Both |
| Dip tube | Hot water turns lukewarm soon after you turn on the tap | Both |
| Sediment flush | Rumbling or popping while the tank heats, slower recovery | Both |
The anode rod is a metal rod inside the tank that corrodes so the tank doesn’t. Once it’s used up, the tank itself starts to rust. Sediment settles on the bottom of the tank over time, and flushing it out quiets the tank and helps it heat evenly.
Leaking Water Heater? Find the Source
Often repairable
- A drip from the drain valve near the bottom
- Water from the relief valve or its discharge pipe
- Loose or corroded fittings on the pipes at the top
- A leaking gas or water connection
Usually means replacement
- Water seeping from the bottom of the tank itself
- Rust stains or wet spots on the tank body
- A leak that comes back right after a fitting is tightened
While you wait for us, shut off the cold water supply valve on top of the tank. Then turn off the breaker on an electric unit, or set the gas control to Off on a gas unit. Put a pan or towels down and call 540-300-6932.
Repair or Replace?
A bad element, thermostat or gas control is usually a quick repair. A leaking tank, an older unit that needs repeated repairs, or one that’s too small for your household is often better replaced. We’ll give you prices for both. See water heater installation and replacement for types, sizing and the Dominion heat pump water heater rebate.
Water Heater Repair Near You
Water Heater Repair Reviews
I discovered that our old water heater was leaking slightly on Thursday and called Robert B. Payne. They came out to check it the same day. It was determined that it had rusted out. We had a new water heater installed by Robert B. …
Andrew was amazing! He came out to service our hot water heater and A/C, and did an outstanding job. He was so friendly, professional, and thorough — and even figured out a mystery squeak that had been driving us crazy. He truly went above and beyond and saved our sanity! …
Technicians are always on time and very professional. I knew very little about the system in my home when I bought it, but they were able to make some recommendations about how to care for it and some expectations with an older HVAC. …
Five-star reviews from our Google Business Profile.
Water Heater Repair FAQs
Why does my hot water run out faster than it used to?
The most common causes are sediment taking up space in the bottom of the tank, a failed lower heating element on an electric unit, or a broken dip tube that lets cold water mix with the hot. All three can be repaired.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
That smell often comes from a reaction between the anode rod and minerals or bacteria in the water. If only the hot water smells, the water heater is the likely source. We can flush the tank and replace the anode rod.
Can a leaking water heater be fixed?
It depends on where the water is coming from. Leaks from a valve, fitting or connection can usually be repaired. A leak from the tank itself can’t be patched, and the unit needs to be replaced.
What should I do right now if my water heater is leaking?
Shut off the cold water valve on top of the tank, turn off the breaker or set the gas control to Off, and protect the floor. Then call 540-300-6932. We’re available around the clock.
Can cold Fredericksburg winters affect a water heater in an unheated garage or crawlspace?
Yes. January averages a low of 23°F here (US Climate Data). Colder incoming water makes the heater work longer to recover, and water lines in unheated spaces can freeze. If your hot water drops off on the coldest mornings, call us to check the unit and its lines.
Water Heater Services
Fast Water Heater Repair in Fredericksburg
Call Robert B. Payne to get your hot water back, with the price up front.
