Water Heater Repair
Water Heater Repair in Washington, DC & Bethesda
No hot water is not a 'schedule for next week' problem. I'm Mike, and I answer the phone at 7am. I'm still taking calls at 9pm. When your water heater goes out, call or text me at (202) 555-0147 and I'll tell you straight what's going on and when I can get there.
DC Licensed · Bonded & Insured · 6 Years · 1,000+ Jobs · 43 Google Reviews
Call or Text MikeNo Hot Water
No Hot Water? Here's What's Probably Wrong
Most no-hot-water calls I get come down to a handful of things. A failed heating element on an electric unit. A bad thermocouple or pilot light issue on a gas water heater. A tripped reset button. Sediment buildup that's cooked the bottom of the tank. Sometimes it's a failed thermostat.
None of these are mysteries. I've seen them hundreds of times. When I show up, I run through a real diagnostic — I'm not guessing, and I'm not looking for reasons to sell you a new unit. I find the actual problem and tell you what it'll take to fix it.
I work on gas water heaters, electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters. If you're not sure what you have, that's fine — just call me and describe what's happening.
Repair or Replace
Repair or Replace: How Mike Decides
This is the part where a lot of people get burned by other plumbers. They call about a repair and walk away with a new water heater they didn't need. I'm not going to do that to you.
Here's how I actually think about it: if your unit is under ten years old and the problem is a single failed part, a repair almost always makes sense. A new heating element or thermocouple might run you $100 to $200 and get you five or more years. I'll tell you that plainly. I'm not going to sell you a new unit if a $150 repair will fix it.
If the tank is corroded, leaking from the bottom, or pushing fifteen years old with recurring problems, replacement is probably the smarter call. I'll explain why and give you your options. You decide.
Winter Demand
Seasonal Demand: Winter Is the Worst Time to Lose Hot Water
Every January and February I get slammed with calls. Water heaters that were limping along all fall finally give out when the temperatures drop and the unit has to work harder. Parts suppliers get backed up. Wait times stretch out.
If your water heater is making strange noises, taking longer to recover, or giving you lukewarm water instead of hot, don't wait until it dies completely. Call me now and I can take a look before it becomes an emergency. That's a much easier situation for both of us.
And if it already died — call or text me at (202) 555-0147. I pick up. That's not a marketing line, it's just true. I actually pick up the phone.
- Plumbing rough-in and pipe relocation
- Drain line work and rerouting
- Toilet installation
- Faucet and valve installation
- Water damage assessment
Credentials
Licensed, Bonded & Insured for Water Heater Work
Water heater work in DC requires a licensed plumber. Gas line connections, pressure relief valves, proper venting — these aren't things you want done by someone who pulled a permit once and figured it out. I'm licensed in DC, bonded, and insured, and I've done this work on over a thousand jobs in this area over six years.
That matters for your safety. It also matters if you ever sell your home. Unpermitted or improperly installed water heaters can come back to bite you at closing. I do the work right.
Common Questions