Hot Water Tank Repair in Coquitlam

A loss of hot water rarely comes out of nowhere. Your home's water heater usually gives some warning first, and catching it early can head off a full water heater failure. Most broken water heater calls start with one of these signs:



• No hot water at all. On a gas tank, look for a pilot or burner problem, a failed thermocouple, or a faulty gas valve. On an electric water heater, it's often an element, a thermostat, or a tripped breaker.
• Hot water runs out fast. A broken dip tube (the pipe that sends cold water to the bottom of the tank) or a failing element can cut your hot water supply short.
• Water temperature is too hot or too cold. The usual suspect is the thermostat or gas control. Water that's far too hot needs a call right away.
• Rumbling or popping. That's usually sediment on the bottom of the water heater tank, with water boiling up through it.
• Rusty or smelly hot water. This can point to a worn anode rod, the metal rod that protects the tank from rust. It can also be a warning sign about the tank itself.
• Water around the base. It might be a valve or fitting, which is often repairable. If the tank itself is leaking, see our leaking hot water tank page.

This is what decides whether you pay for a repair or a replacement. Many water heater problems come down to one part, and that part can be changed. A good water heater tank repair service starts by telling you which side of the line your tank is on.

Usually worth repairing:

• Thermocouple, pilot, or burner problems
• A gas valve replacement or leak repair at a fitting
• Electric elements and thermostats
• The dip tube, drain valve, or temperature and pressure relief valve
• A worn anode rod, caught before the tank rusts through

Not repairable:

• When a tank is leaking due to rust in its own steel wall, no patch will hold, and hot water tank replacement is the safe answer.

Everything in between is a judgment call. The age of the tank, its general condition, and how often it has needed repairs all matter when choosing between repair and replacement. As a rough guide, a single failed part on a tank under eight years old almost always favors repair. Before you replace your water heater, our guide on when to replace a hot water tank walks through it.

A water heater replacement isn't always the answer, and you shouldn't have to pay for one because it's the easier sale. When a single part has failed and the tank is in good shape, repairing it is usually the better call, and we'll tell you so. If your water heater has reached the point where a repair would be money wasted, we'll tell you that too, before you spend it.



1. Call us. Tell us what's happening and whether you have a gas or electric tank water heater. If you can, read us the brand from the label.
2. We inspect your water heater. The technician tests the parts involved and finds the cause.
3. You get the options. We explain what failed, give you an accurate repair estimate, and tell you whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
4. We fix your water heater. With common parts on the truck, many repairs can be finished on the first visit, and same-day water heater repairs are common.
5. We test it. We confirm the tank is heating, the water temperature is right, and there are no leaks.

Need a water heater repair service today? Call (604) 873-3753 or schedule your water heater repair online.

We provide water heater services for tank and tankless systems, including gas and electric models. Many of the same parts wear out across water heater types, but each repair is different, so it helps to know which water heating system you have. Here are the water heaters we fix:

• Gas hot water tanks. In BC, work on the gas supply, burner, or venting of a gas water heater requires a licensed gas fitter. KCs is a licensed gas-fitting company, so we handle that in-house.
• Electric hot water tanks. See our electric water heater page for more on these.
• Tankless hot water systems. These have no tank, and tankless water heater repair takes different parts and skills. See our tankless water heater page.

We service these brands of water heaters: Amtrol, AO Smith, Bradford White, Giant, John Wood, Rheem, Ruud, Super Hot, Triangle Tube, and Viessmann. For regular maintenance service, see our hot water tank service page.

Not sure what your water heater issue is, or whether you have a tank or tankless unit? Whatever your water heater needs, give us a call. We can deal with any water heater on that list.

Reliable hot water is easy to take for granted until it's gone. When you need help with water heater repairs, you get a Coquitlam water heater repair company with more than 30 years in the trade, led by founder and Master Plumber Jack Japuncic. You get licensed gas fitters on gas work. Expert water heater repair isn't worth much without honest advice, so you also get a straight read on whether your tank is worth fixing. That's what reliable repair looks like to us.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Water Heater?

Water heater repair costs depend on the part that failed and the type of tank. A thermocouple and a gas valve are very different repairs. Our rates page is a good starting point, and we'll explain the repair cost before the work starts.

Can a Hot Water Tank Be Repaired, or Does It Need Replacing?

Most failed parts can be replaced. A tank that's leaking through its own wall can't be repaired and needs replacing.

Do You Offer Emergency Hot Water Heater Repair?

Yes. Our emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is My Water Heater Worth Repairing?

If it's reasonably young and the problem is one failed part, almost certainly yes. If it's past 8 to 12 years old or leaking from the tank body, replacement is usually the better investment. We'll give you the honest comparison.

Can You Repair a Gas Water Heater?

Yes. As a licensed gas-fitting company, we handle gas repairs safely and to code. It's not safe DIY work.

Do You Repair Both Tank and Tankless Water Heaters?

Yes. This page covers tank repairs. If you have a tankless unit, see our tankless water heater page linked above.

Why Did My Hot Water Stop Working Overnight?

On a gas tank, the pilot may have gone out or a thermocouple may have failed. On an electric tank, check the breaker first. If it trips again, leave it off and call us.

Should I Turn Off My Water Heater If It's Leaking?

Yes, if you can do it safely. Turn off the power or set a gas tank's control to "off," then close the cold water valve above the tank. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.

Get Your Hot Water Tank Repaired in Coquitlam

For reliable water heater repair, call KCs Plumbing & Heating at (604) 873-3753 or request service online. You'll get your hot water back the same day when it's a repair, and straight advice when it isn't.

Serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, and New Westminster. Emergency water heater repair is available 24/7.

Written by Jack Japuncic, Master Plumber, founder of KCs Plumbing, Heating & Drain Services.