An El Mirage water heater that stops heating, trips its breaker or leaks at a valve can usually be repaired by replacing the failed element, thermostat, gas control or relief valve. A tank leaking from its body has to be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in El Mirage.
El Mirage sits on the west bank of the Agua Fria River and runs its own water system through the city's Water Services Division, which also supplies the Original Town Site of Surprise. The city's water quality report lists hardness of 4 to 9 grains per gallon, averaging about 7. That is on the gentler side for the West Valley, so sediment builds more slowly here than in harder-water cities, but it still builds. The same report suggests about 7.5 grains as a softener setting for homes that use one. Wastewater is handled by the city's own reclamation facility.
What to do before help arrives
- Shut the cold-water valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater if you see water leaking.
- Turn off the electric breaker, or turn the gas control knob to off.
- If there is any gas odor, skip everything else: leave the house, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
- Check whether the drip is coming from the relief valve pipe, a fitting, the drain valve or the tank itself.
- Take a photo of the label so the plumber knows the model, capacity and age.
Symptoms and what they usually point to
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No heat at all on an electric unit | Tripped reset button, dead element or thermostat |
| Gas burner will not light | Thermocouple, pilot assembly or gas control |
| Water at the base of the tank | Drain valve, fitting or a failed tank |
| Tepid water at every tap | One element out or a broken dip tube |
| Brown or rusty hot water | Exhausted anode rod or inner tank corrosion |
What affects the cost
- Which part failed and whether the unit is gas or electric
- Corroded connections or a seized drain valve that need replacing
- How easy the heater is to reach in the garage or closet
- Whether the job turns into a replacement that needs a city permit; El Mirage Building Safety says permits apply to new construction and some repair work, and a plumber can confirm what your job needs
We did not find an official page naming the gas utility for El Mirage, and many homes in the area are electric. Your gas bill, if you have one, shows the utility and its emergency number.
Water Heater Repair questions in El Mirage
How hard is the water here, and what does it do to a water heater?
Will a water softener help my water heater last longer?
Is a leaking water heater worth repairing?
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
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