A heater that stops making enough hot water usually has one failed part or a thick layer of mineral scale, both of which a plumber can often fix. If the tank itself is leaking, repair is no longer an option. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Phoenix.
Why Phoenix tanks fill with scale
The City of Phoenix water quality report lists total hardness of 10 to 17.6 grains per gallon. Heating that water makes calcium and magnesium drop out, and it settles on the bottom of a gas tank or crusts over electric elements. The results are popping noises, slow recovery and burned-out elements. Flushing the tank through its drain valve on a regular schedule slows the buildup, and a water softener reduces it further.
Reading the symptoms
| What you notice | What a plumber will check |
|---|---|
| Rumbling or crackling while heating | Scale and sediment on the tank floor |
| Electric heater, lukewarm or cold water | Upper or lower element, thermostat, reset button |
| Gas heater, pilot will not stay lit | Thermocouple or flame sensor, burner, venting |
| Rotten-egg smell from hot taps | Anode rod reacting with the water |
| Water at the base | Drain valve, relief valve, connections, or the tank |
What you can safely look at
Check the breaker for an electric unit and the gas supply valve for a gas unit. Relight a pilot only by following the label on the heater. A temperature and pressure relief valve that is discharging is doing its job, so do not cap it. Leave gas valves, venting and high-voltage wiring to a plumber.
Garage heaters and summer heat
Many Phoenix water heaters sit in garages or exterior closets that get very hot in summer. That does not usually break a heater, but it makes leaks and corrosion easy to miss. Look at the pan and fittings now and then, and keep the space around a gas unit clear so it can draw air.
Repair or replace
The U.S. Department of Energy puts the life of a typical storage water heater at 10 to 15 years. A younger heater with a sound tank is usually worth fixing. An older one needing an expensive control, or one with a rusty, weeping tank, is often better replaced.
What changes the price
- Which part failed and whether it is on the truck
- Gas or electric
- How easy the heater is to reach
- Whether the visit falls outside regular hours
Ask for the diagnosis and a quote before work begins.
Water Heater Repair questions from Phoenix homeowners
Why is my water heater making popping noises?
How often should I flush a water heater in Phoenix?
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
How long does a tank water heater last?
Related plumbing services in Phoenix
Helpful guides
Water Heater Repair in nearby cities and towns
Maricopa County
Pinal County
Sources
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