A Temple Hills water heater that quits heating, leaks at a fitting or rumbles usually needs a new part or a flush, and a plumber can generally tell within one visit whether a repair is worth doing. If the tank shell is leaking, replacement is the only fix. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Temple Hills.
Temple Hills is a mostly residential area of garden apartments, duplexes and single-family homes built mainly from the 1950s through the 1970s, and the median home dates to about 1973. That means plumbing systems that are often 50 years old or more, with a much newer heater connected to original valves, supply lines and flue pipes. The Temple Hills mailing name (ZIP 20748) covers a wider area than the census place, but the utilities and permit rules are the same across it. WSSC Water supplies water and sewer, drawing on the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. In the duplexes and garden apartments, heaters are often squeezed into small closets, which affects how easily a plumber can reach the drain valve and controls.
What to do right now
- If the heater is leaking, close the cold-water valve on the inlet pipe.
- Turn off the breaker for an electric heater, or turn the gas control to off.
- If the old valve will not turn, shut the main water valve instead of forcing it.
- If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from a safe place.
- Put towels or a pan down to keep water off nearby flooring.
Symptom guide
| What you notice | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| No hot water, electric heater | Element, thermostat or high-limit reset |
| No hot water, gas heater | Pilot, thermocouple or gas control |
| Hot water runs short | Sediment or a broken dip tube |
| Rumbling or popping | Sediment boiling on the tank bottom |
| Rusty or smelly hot water | Worn anode rod or tank corrosion |
| Water around the base | Drain valve, fittings or a failed tank |
Cost factors
The failed part, the heater's fuel type and how easy it is to reach set most of the price. In homes from the 1950s through the 1970s, expect the plumber to flag old valves or connectors worth replacing while the water is off. If the tank needs replacing, Prince George's County requires a permit, which WSSC Water issues, and WSSC requires a professional for all gas work, including gas water heater replacement. Night and weekend visits generally cost more. Washington Gas serves most of the county, though some areas are on BGE, so your bill confirms the company.
Water Heater Repair questions in Temple Hills
Should I repair a water heater that is more than 10 years old?
Can I work on my own gas water heater?
What is the popping or rumbling sound in my tank?
What should I have ready when I call?
More plumbing services in Temple Hills
Water Heater Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: