Water Heater Repair in Woodbridge, VA

Signs it needs a repair

• No hot water, or water that only gets warm
• Hot water that gives out much sooner than it used to
• Popping, ticking or rumbling during a heating cycle
• Rusty hot water or a metallic taste
• A puddle under the tank or a wet drain pan
• The pilot or burner going out repeatedly

Water heaters in Woodbridge

The Woodbridge postal area is large, taking in Lake Ridge, Dale City, Marumsco and Belmont Bay, and the water provider depends on the address. Most of it is served by Prince William Water, while parts around Dale City are on Virginia American Water's Prince William system. Both get Occoquan Reservoir water treated at Fairfax Water's Griffith plant. Prince William Water rates its water as moderately hard, about 3.5 to 7.0 grains per gallon (60 to 120 mg/L), so sediment does settle in tanks, just more slowly than in harder-water areas. Virginia American Water's system uses chloramines with free chlorine during its April to June flushing.

The median home in Woodbridge was built in 1987, so many houses have already gone through at least one heater, and a lot of current units are in the age range where parts start to fail. Prince William County Development Services issues the permits here: a gas permit covers gas piping and venting for gas water heaters, and a plumbing permit is added when water piping is extended more than 10 feet or the pipe material changes. Swapping a thermostat or igniter is a smaller job, and your plumber can say whether a permit applies.

Both Columbia Gas of Virginia and Washington Gas operate in Prince William County, so check your gas bill to see which serves you. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.

What affects the cost

• The failed component and whether it is a common part
• Whether sediment must be flushed before the repair
• Where the heater sits: garage, basement or a tight closet
• Extra fixes such as a leaking drain valve or worn supply connectors
• After-hours timing

What happens when you call

You are connected with an independent plumber serving Woodbridge. Say whether the unit is gas or electric, roughly how old it is and what you have noticed, and the plumber can tell you whether it sounds like a repair and arrange a visit.