Plumbing

Water Heater – Same Day

Turn up the heat in style with water heater pros!

Marin and Sonoma County Plumbing Company

Water Heater Repair + Installation Services

A broken water heater can be a major inconvenience for you and your family. Besides causing ice-cold, uncomfortable showers, a broken water heater can lead to extensive water damage.

At Gotelli Plumbing, we’re experts at repairing broken water heaters with long-lasting solutions. If your unit is in need of frequent repairs or is past its life expectancy, it might be time to replace it instead.

Luckily, we can help you determine whether a repair or replacement is more effective. Then, we’ll take care of the installation or repair process to get your hot water restored in no time.

Common Water Heater Problems

a Gotelli plumber using a wrench to provide San Rafael water heater services

Unlike fine wine, water heaters do not get better with age. In fact, age is the biggest cause of failure. If your system is acting up after multiple repairs and is past its 10-13 year lifespan, you should consider getting a replacement.

However, if your water heater is nowhere near its expected lifespan, there are a couple of other causes of water heater repair you should look out for. Here are some of the most common problems we see in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Water Heater Leaks

Water leaks could come from a faulty relief valve, your plumbing connections or even the tank itself.

If you notice a leak, the first thing you should do is inspect the water heater’s pipes and connections, as well as your pressure relief valve.

If you notice the leak coming from the bottom of the water heater, make sure it isn’t just condensation buildup. Otherwise, you may have a fracture in the tank causing the leak. Unfortunately, a leaky tank cannot be repaired – it can only be replaced.

No Hot Water

Gas-powered water heaters that aren’t generating hot water may have a blown-out pilot light or need the thermocouple replaced.

With electric water heaters, sometimes hot water will turn off when your circuit breaker has tripped. If that isn’t the case, the defective part is most likely your heating element. You will need to call a professional to replace this part correctly.

Not Enough Hot Water

If you’re running out of hot water too quickly, a quick fix would be to turn up the temperature on your tank’s thermostat (just don’t set it too high). However, this problem can also be caused by a faulty thermostat or an issue with the electrical wiring. If you have a gas heater, the problem may be a faulty dip tube.

Sometimes, your water heater may just be too small. A water heater that is too small will need to work harder and will likely have more breakdowns and a shorter lifespan. Luckily, a professional can help you determine the correct size water heater for your needs.

Rusty Water

There are rods in your water heater that are designed specifically to rust so that the main appliance is spared. These rods, called sacrificial anodes, need to be replaced on occasion. It’s important to replace these components once you notice a problem because rust can corrode your tank and cause irreparable leaks.

Smelly Water

Smelly water is caused by bacteria. Setting the temperature to 140 and then periodically flushing the tank can sometimes help, but a sulfuric or rotten egg smell might mean you need to replace the anode rod.

Strange Noises

If you’re hearing hissing, knocking, popping or other strange noises, your tank may have a buildup of scale or sediment. One easy fix is to try flushing your water heater.

When To Consider Water Heater Replacement

When it comes to water heaters, it can be dangerous and costly to keep using them past their life expectancy. The average water heater lasts 10 to 13 years, so it’s important to keep track of your system’s age.

If it’s 10-13 years old — or even older than 13 years — it might be time for a water heater replacement. You should also consider replacing your water heater if it displays these signs that it’s nearing the end of its life — even if it isn’t 10 years old yet:

  • It’s in constant need of repairs.
  • You are only getting cold or lukewarm water.
  • There’s visible damage to the water heater tank, including rust.

Determining The Right Water Heater For You

Choosing the right model is vital if you want a long-lasting and reliable water heater that works for your home and family. If you get a water heater that is too small for your needs, its life expectancy will be considerably shorter due to the extra strain — and it will likely need frequent repairs along the way.

Not to mention, if your water heater is too small, you and your family are going to be fighting over who gets to shower first! Our technicians can evaluate your home, needs and budget to find the best water heater for you and ensure everything is done correctly.

Save Water And Time With Recirculation Pumps!

Waiting for the water to heat up in your shower or in the sink as you’re doing the dishes or waiting to get in the shower is a waste of time, water and money. A recirculation pump added to your home water heater can save you time and energy by allowing your water heater to work smarter, not harder.

A recirculation pump works by recycling the water that is sitting in pipes through the hot water heater so the warm water arrives faster.

A recirculation pump can save you money by reducing the amount of time you wait for hot water and helps conserve water by giving you access to hot water immediately rather than having to wait.

In areas like Marin and Sonoma counties where water conservation is important, a recirculation pump is an essential tool for saving water. Let your water heater live up to its fullest potential with a recirculation pump.

Call A Plumber For Your Water Heater Needs!

The quickest solution to your water heater problems is to call a professional plumbing company. At Gotelli Plumbing, we provide quick and high-quality service so you are back to comfort as quickly as possible.

We’ll make repairs whenever possible to extend the life of your heater and recommend a replacement only when it is the smartest decision for your situation. Contact us today for the best services in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

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Jason is ultimate professional and very good
Explained everything. Gave honest and. Experienced recommendations. Trouble shot a non typical install. Added value and options. Patient. Clean. Neat and efficient

Well done
I never met you, but I believe you're caring in that you honestly provided me with an estimate I am unable to meet since I am a 73 yo on a fixed income. And to replace a washer or a bib for $413. is other worldly for me. Thanks
I recently hired Gotelli Plumbing to install an in-wall toilet and shower, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Their team, Tom Robertson & apprentices, was professional, punctual, and highly skilled. They took the time to explain the process, kept the work area clean, and completed the job efficiently. The attention to detail was impressive. I highly recommend them for any plumbing project; great service and quality workmanship!
They we're awesome!Squeezed me in last minute and the tech was informative, and up front with costs. Highly recommend!
Sam was quick and efficient and explained things well. Steve came today and did some work. He’s very good at explaining options and costs.
Good, reliable and consistent work
I’m so grateful for Joey’s quick and professional help! He found a leak that could’ve caused serious damage and fixed it fast. Super knowledgeable, honest, and easy to work with—highly recommend!"
a good experience
Fernando was very friendly, professional, and completed the project in a timely manner. My only disappointment, I thought the cost to do the work was excessive for time spent. Maybe and estimated “not to exceed “ would have been more acceptable.
Gotelli Plumbing did a great job changing out 3
25 year-old toilets with fresh new Toto’s and new supply lines! Jason was terrific in explaining Options and pricing and we were super happy with the service and the two-year warranty. We refer Gotelli plumbing to all of our clients for their competitive pricing and excellent service!
Joey was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. It was great having an expert on my team helping navigate my specific plumbing situation.
Outstanding service and reasonable price. Was able to book an appointment quickly and was on time. Jason my tech was very knowledgeable, professional, had the tools, parts and fixed everything right the first time. Also checked all plumbing to ensure there were no other issues. Would highly recommend.
Fantastic service !
Joey was friendly and very informative. Gave me straight answers and suggestions without any pressure or bs.
I appreciated the honest conversation.
I was extremely happy Gotelli plumbing could be available the same day I called. They communicated in advance of their visit. Fernando was friendly & professional. Also a nice touch to see the picture of the technician before he arrives. Big thanks to the Gotelli team.
A bit pricey but excellent service. The serviceman was efficient, professional and friendly.
Gotelli plumbing is the best
Tom Robertson was very professional and explained what needed to be done. I have been a customer for years and find their work to be top notch
Joey was able to get out to us in the morning and inspect the leak we had outside the house. He figured out how to stop the leak while we figure out the next steps for repair. He also gave us some ideas for work arounds in the meantime. He did a quick inspection of the house and pointed out a few things that could be changed, but since no issues at the moment, not pressing. All and all, happy with the result.
Love the fact that Joey was able to get here on short notice and that he explains everything as he’s going along. He answered all of my questions and is extremely courageous
Steve and Sebastian were great. Professional and courteous. They spotted the problem immediately and fixed it completely!
Santa Rosa, CA
3200 Dutton Avenue, #423
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
San Rafael, CA
21 Lovell Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
97604453-4e7b-4120-900b-17b20c3fba84