Water Heater Repair in Lexington, SC
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What Lexington County does to a water heater
Your water heater works harder in the cold months here, November through March, when the water coming into the tank is colder and the burner or element has to run longer to make up the difference. That extra runtime wears on the parts that heat the water and the ones that control them.
Power is the bigger issue in this county. Close to half of South Carolina households lost power for a full day or more in 2024, and this area sees frequent damaging wind, 325 events over the past ten years. A water heater that loses power and comes back on usually resets itself, but a storm that trips a breaker or damages a wire can leave the unit dead until someone finds the cause. If your water is running cold and the burner or element won't fire, check the power to the unit first.
- 36°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 5 months
- November through March, the months homes here need heat
- 45%
- of South Carolina 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 $300 a year off hot water for a typical South Carolina home.
Estimates for a typical South Carolina home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and South Carolina 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 of the time this means the tank itself has rusted through and is failing. Sediment settles at the bottom of the tank over years and corrodes the steel until it cracks or pinholes, and once that happens the leak will not stop or seal itself. It's also worth checking whether the leak is really coming from the tank, or from a loose drain valve or a fitting on top, since those can be repaired instead of replaced. A leak from the tank body itself means the water heater needs to be replaced.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- The most common cause is a worn thermocouple, the small sensor that tells the gas valve the pilot is burning. When it wears out or sits out of position, it shuts the gas off even though the flame is lit. A dirty pilot tube or a draft in the area can also blow the flame out. A contractor can test the thermocouple and clean or replace the parts causing it to fail.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater are repairable. Common issues are mineral buildup on the heat exchanger, a failed igniter, or an error code from a sensor, and each of these can usually be fixed without replacing the unit. Homes with hard water tend to see buildup issues more often since minerals collect inside the heat exchanger over time. A contractor can read the error code and diagnose which part is causing it.