A Clinton water heater that has gone cold, drips from a valve or makes loud noises usually has a failed component or built-up sediment, and both are often fixable without a new tank. If the tank wall itself is leaking, it needs to be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clinton.
When to call about the heater
- No hot water, or hot water that fades halfway through a shower
- Water at the base of the tank or along the drain pan
- A relief valve that drips or has discharged
- Banging, popping or hissing from the tank
- A pilot light that will not stay lit
Local conditions in Clinton
Clinton's housing is newer than the inner-Beltway towns: the median home was built around 1987, according to Census survey figures. Many original heaters from that era have already been replaced, and the second-generation units are now reaching the age where elements, thermocouples and anode rods wear out. Whether a repair is worth it depends on the heater's age and condition, not the house's.
WSSC Water supplies water and sewer service across Prince George's County, drawing from the Potomac and Patuxent rivers and disinfecting with chlorine; outlying parcels can differ, so your bill is the final word. On the paperwork side, the county's permit office (DPIE) does not issue plumbing permits. WSSC Water issues and inspects them, and a water heater replacement requires one. WSSC also requires a professional for all gas work, including gas water heater replacement, so homeowners should leave gas valves and venting alone.
Washington Gas serves most of the county, though some areas are BGE territory. If you smell gas around the heater, get out of the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from a safe place.
What drives the cost
- Which component has failed and whether it is in stock
- Gas or electric, and whether the unit is a power-vent model
- Corroded shutoff valves or connectors that should be replaced while the water is off
- Whether the tank is too far gone and the job becomes a permitted replacement
- Problems found along the way, such as a cracked drain pan or a vent pipe that has slipped loose
What happens when you call
If water is spreading across the floor, close the cold-water valve above the heater and turn off its power or gas before you dial. The call connects you with an independent plumber serving Clinton. Have the heater's label handy so you can give its size, fuel and age. Describe the symptoms, and the plumber can explain the likely fix and arrange a time to come out.
Water Heater Repair questions in Clinton
Can I work on my own gas water heater?
Should I repair a water heater that is more than 10 years old?
Why won't the pilot on my gas water heater stay lit?
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
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