Water Heater Repair in Mobile, AL
Tell us what your water heater is doing, and a licensed contractor who covers Mobile County will get in touch.
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What outages in Mobile County do to a water heater
Mobile County sees storms often enough to matter. Over the last ten years the county has logged 155 damaging wind events, and statewide, 18% of households went at least 24 hours without power in 2024.
A gas water heater with a standing pilot keeps working through an outage since the pilot doesn't need power. One with an electric igniter won't light until the power is back. Most electric tanks come back on by themselves once power returns. If yours doesn't relight, or the water stays cold well after the power's been restored, that's worth having looked at.
- 42°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 5 months
- November through March, the months homes here need heat
- 18%
- of Alabama households lost power for a day or more in 2024, and a heater with an electric element or electric ignition stops without it
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A new water heater would cut about $310 a year off hot water for a typical Alabama home.
Estimates for a typical Alabama home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Alabama fuel prices. Your home will differ.
Repair makes sense when an element, thermostat or gas valve has failed.
Replacement makes sense when the tank itself is leaking.
- Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?
- Most often the tank itself has rusted through and is holding water that's now seeping out. Once a tank starts leaking like this, it won't seal back up, since the steel has already failed. It can also be a loose drain valve or a fitting at the bottom, which a plumber can tighten or replace without touching the tank. A contractor can tell you in a few minutes which one you're dealing with.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- The most common cause is a worn thermocouple, the small rod that senses the flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it wears out, it stops sensing the flame correctly and shuts the gas off even though the pilot is lit. A dirty pilot orifice or a draft blowing out the flame can cause the same thing. A plumber can test the thermocouple and replace it if that's the problem.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless unit can be fixed without replacing it. Mineral buildup on the heat exchanger is a common issue, and it can usually be flushed out to restore hot water flow. Igniters, sensors, and fans can also be replaced individually. A plumber can run the unit's diagnostics to find out which part is causing the trouble.