Water Heater Installation & Replacement
A new unit sized for your household and installed to code.
Serving Homeowners for 30+ years
Water Heater Repair in Chicagoland and Columbus, OH
Often, the problem is one worn-out part, not the whole water heater. Our technicians find what's actually wrong, explain your options and give you a flat price before any work starts.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair
The most common signs are hot water that runs out fast, popping or rumbling noises and water leaking around the base. Most of these start small and get worse. We've been repairing water heaters for more than 30 years on every major brand, including Rheem, Bradford White, A.O. Smith and Rinnai, and the same warning signs show up across all of them. Here's what each one usually means, and how we fix it:
| What You Notice | What's Usually Wrong | How We Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water runs out fast | Sediment at the bottom of the tank, or a burned-out heating element (electric) | Flush out the buildup or replace the element |
| Popping or rumbling noises | Water trapped under sediment, boiling as the tank heats | Flush the tank and check it for damage |
| Hot water smells like rotten eggs | Bacteria reacting with the anode rod, the metal rod that protects the tank from rust | Replace the anode rod |
| No hot water (gas) | A pilot that won't stay lit, a worn-out thermocouple (the safety sensor that keeps the gas on) or a faulty gas valve | Replace the failed part and test the burner |
| No hot water (electric) | A tripped breaker, a failed heating element or a bad thermostat | Reset or replace the failed part |
| Water leaking around the base | A loose pipe connection, a bad drain valve or a leaking relief valve | Tighten or replace the connection or valve |
| Rusty hot water, or a leak from the tank itself | The tank is rusting from the inside | A repair won't last. We'll show you why and go over replacement options |
If you smell gas near your water heater, don't try to relight it. Leave the house, call your gas company, then call us.
Gas and Electric Water Heater Repair
Gas and electric water heaters heat water in different ways, so they break in different ways. Our technicians repair both.
Gas Water Heaters
A gas unit has a burner, a pilot or igniter, a gas valve and a vent that carries exhaust out of your home. When we repair one, we find the failed part and replace it. We also look at the gas connections and the vent. A blocked or loose vent can let carbon monoxide back inside. That's why gas repairs are a job for a plumber.
Electric Water Heaters
Most electric units heat water with two heating elements, each with its own thermostat. When one fails, you get lukewarm water or none at all. We shut off the power, test each part and replace only what's broken.
Have a tankless unit? See our tankless water heater service.
Is Your Water Heater Worth Repairing?
Usually, yes. Before we recommend anything, we answer three questions:
1. How old is it?
Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years. If yours is younger than 8, a repair usually makes sense.
2. What failed?
A thermostat, heating element, valve or anode rod can be replaced. A tank that's rusting or leaking can't.
3. What does the repair cost next to a new unit?
If the repair would cost close to half the price of a new water heater, or you've already fixed the same problem before, a new unit may be worth it.
You get the price for both, and you make the call. If a new unit makes more sense, here's how water heater replacement works with us.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Here's what to expect from the moment your technician walks in.
1. We Find What's Actually Wrong
Your technician checks the whole unit, not just the part you're worried about. Then they show you what failed and why, in plain English.
2. You See Your Options Before We Start
Your technician will explain your options and provide a flat rate before any money changes hands. If a repair will do the job, that's what we recommend.
3. We Stand Behind the Work
We stand behind every job we perform. We won't quit until your hot water is back.
Customer Stories
Water Heater Repair Reviews
★★★★★
“Jake and his apprentice arrived early. The problem with my hot water heater was a bit perplexing but after suggesting and trying a few things the main issue was fixed. Jake and his helper were professional, and informative. [...]”
★★★★★
“Jake came in quickly, assessed the issue and provided us with 2 options to fix our water heater. He was very professional, clean and finished the job quickly. I would highly recommend him!”
★★★★★
“Mike and Tim diagnosed the problem easily and replaced the part immediately. Will work with them always from now on.”
Got Questions?
Water Heater Repair FAQs
Usually, yes. If your water heater is younger than 8 years old and the problem is one part, like a thermostat, heating element or valve, a repair usually makes sense.
Usually, yes. If your water heater is younger than 8 years old and the problem is one part, like a thermostat, heating element or valve, a repair usually makes sense. If the tank itself is leaking or rusting, or the repair would cost close to half the price of a new unit, replacement may be the better fit. We give you both prices so you can decide.
It depends on where the water is coming from.
It depends on where the water is coming from. A leak at a pipe connection, the drain valve or the relief valve can usually be repaired. A leak from the tank itself can't, because it means the tank has rusted through. Until your technician arrives, turn off the cold water supply to the heater and shut off its gas or power.
On gas units, it's usually the thermocouple, the pilot or the gas valve.
On gas units, it's usually the thermocouple, the pilot or the gas valve. On electric units, it's usually a heating element or a thermostat. On both, the drain valve, relief valve and anode rod wear out over time. Sediment, the minerals that settle at the bottom of the tank, makes most of these problems worse.
Many repairs are done in a single visit when the part is on the truck.
Many repairs are done in a single visit when the part is on the truck. If a part has to be ordered, your technician will tell you how long it should take before you decide anything.
The price depends on whether your water heater is gas or electric, which part failed, how old the unit is and how easy it is to reach.
The price depends on whether your water heater is gas or electric, which part failed, how old the unit is and how easy it is to reach. Your technician gives you a flat price before any work starts, so the number you hear is the number you pay. Flexible financing options are available.
Call a plumber, not a handyman. Water heaters run on a gas line or a high-voltage circuit, and they hold hot water under pressure.
Call a plumber, not a handyman. Water heaters run on a gas line or a high-voltage circuit, and they hold hot water under pressure. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas company first. Then give us a call at 773-724-9272.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club and Save on Water Heater Repairs
The No Drip Club is our membership program. Members get:
- 10% off all service and equipment, including water heater repairs
- A 5-year labor warranty, instead of the standard 1 year
- No emergency fees, trip charges or after-hours charges
- Two scheduled maintenance visits a year, including a water heater flush that helps prevent the next repair
What We Handle
Other Water Heater Services
Learn More
Water Heater Maintenance & Flush
A yearly flush clears out the mineral buildup that wears tanks down.
Tankless Water Heaters
Installation, repair and descaling for units that heat water only when you need it.
Commercial Water Heaters
Service for businesses that can't run without hot water.
Emergency Service
For a leaking tank or a cold shower that can't wait until tomorrow.
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Ready to Get Your Hot Water Back?
Most water heater problems come down to one part, and we've been finding and fixing them since 1993. Call us, and we'll tell you what's wrong before we touch a thing.
24/7 Emergency ServiceNights, weekends and holidays.
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