Gas tank water heaters
Gas water heater repair in Plymouth
Licensed & insured · Available 24/7
If your home has a natural gas or propane tank heater, in a basement, garage or utility closet, our plumbers assess the burner, ignition, controls and venting, and explain whether repair is appropriate.
- Pilot won't stay lit
- Burner lights then drops out
- Lukewarm water only
- Scorching near the burner door
- Rumbling or popping as it heats
Gas-tank faults we assess
Standing-pilot units usually fail at the thermocouple or thermopile, the pilot assembly or the gas control valve. Newer power-vent and electronic-ignition tanks add a hot-surface igniter, flame sensor, pressure switch and draft inducer motor. Our plumbers test the ignition sequence and explain the failed component before replacing parts.
Other common gas-side repairs include dirty or misaligned burners, a flame-arrestor screen clogged with lint (frequent when the heater shares a basement with a dryer), failed thermostats on the control valve, and dip tubes that break down and send cold water straight to the outlet.
Venting and combustion air
If your gas water heater vents into a masonry chimney, and especially if another appliance on that chimney has been removed or replaced, the chimney may no longer suit the water heater alone, which can cause poor draft and condensation. Tell us what else uses the chimney. Power-vent units need clear intake and exhaust terminations, which can be blocked by snow drifts or shrubs along the foundation.
Our plumbers check draft at the hood, vent connector pitch and condition, and combustion air. Venting problems can create a carbon monoxide risk and need a safety assessment.
Propane homes
If your home uses propane rather than natural gas, note that propane heaters use a different orifice and control valve setting than natural gas, and a low tank or regulator issue can look like a heater fault. Tell us if you're on propane and when the tank was last filled.
Questions we hear
- My pilot keeps going out. Is that a repair or a replacement?
- Usually a repair. A worn thermocouple, dirty pilot tube or draft issue is common. If the gas control valve has failed on an older tank with other wear, ask our plumbers to explain both options before work begins.
- Do you work on power-vent gas water heaters?
- Power-vent units add a blower, pressure switch and electronic controls. Our plumbers assess those components as well as the burner.
- Can you service propane water heaters?
- Mention propane when contacting us so we can confirm equipment compatibility and scope.
- Is a rumbling noise dangerous?
- Rumbling is usually sediment overheating at the bottom of the tank. It's not an immediate hazard on its own, but it shortens tank life and lowers output. If you also see scorching or smell gas, treat it as a safety issue.