Water Heater Repair in Fort Worth, TX
Office hours 8 AM–11 PM daily · 24/7 emergency service
No hot water, a puddle under the tank, or a pilot that won't stay lit? Most water heater breakdowns trace back to one part:
- a thermocouple or igniter (gas)
- a heating element or thermostat (electric)
- the T&P valve
- sediment from hard water
Find it, and the heater can often be repaired rather than replaced.
Plumber 24 Fort Worth repairs gas, electric and tankless water heaters from 955 N Sylvania Ave in Riverside, near Six Points and Haltom City.
Leaking right now? Do this first
Smell gas? Skip these steps. Leave the building, don't flip switches or touch the heater, and call Atmos Energy's emergency line or 911 from outside. Then call us.
If it's only water:
- Close the cold-water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater.
- Electric heater: switch off its breaker. Gas heater: turn the control knob to "Pilot" or "Off."
- Still leaking? Shut off the main at the meter box or house valve.
A leaking tank or a gas smell is an emergency, so we send our on-call plumber right away, day or night. If nothing is leaking, we'll book you at a time that suits you. Emergency plumbing service.
Signs your water heater needs repair
- No hot water: gas: pilot, thermocouple or gas valve. Electric: a tripped high-limit switch, a burned-out element or a bad thermostat.
- Hot water runs out fast: a failed lower element, a broken dip tube or a tank half full of sediment.
- Popping or rumbling: water trapped under sediment, boiling as the burner fires.
- Rusty or rotten-egg-smelling hot water: usually a spent anode rod, or rust inside the tank.
- Water around the base: a fitting, the drain valve, the T&P valve or the tank itself. Fittings and valves can be fixed. A leaking tank can't.
- Too hot or barely warm: thermostat or gas control trouble. About 120°F is the usual safe setting.
Weak heaters tend to fail in the first cold snap (DFW's average first freeze is around November 22), when colder incoming water makes them work harder.
Gas vs. electric: what goes wrong
Gas water heaters
Common gas repairs:
- the thermocouple or flame sensor
- the pilot assembly
- the gas control valve
- the flame-arrestor screen at the base, which clogs with garage lint and dust
We also check the flue draft, because a blocked vent can push carbon monoxide into the house.
Electric water heaters
Most have two heating elements, each with its own thermostat, plus a high-limit reset button. If the reset keeps tripping, stop pressing it and call. We test the elements, thermostats and wiring and replace only what has failed.
Heater in the attic? It should sit in a drain pan piped away from the ceiling. We'll check.
Tank vs. tankless repair
Tank heaters wear out from the bottom up: sediment, corrosion and a spent anode rod.
Tankless units can't rust through, but scale coats the heat exchanger, causing error codes, lukewarm water or mid-shower shutdowns. Repair usually means descaling, cleaning the inlet filter screen, and checking the igniter, flow sensor and venting. More on our tankless water heater page.
Flushing and descaling in Fort Worth
North Texas water carries calcium and magnesium. Heated, they settle on the tank bottom, wasting energy, making the tank pop and overheating the steel until it leaks.
A yearly flush keeps it in check; on tankless, the equivalent is a descale. Was your home under the June 15, 2026 boil notice (Near Northside and around Lake Worth)? If the heater hasn't been flushed since, now is a good time.
Never-flushed older tank? Call us before opening the drain valve. Old plastic valves can clog or refuse to close.
The T&P valve
The temperature and pressure relief valve near the top of the tank opens if the water overheats or the pressure climbs too high. Standard valves are rated 150 psi and 210°F.
If it drips, never cap it. The cause might be a worn valve, high water pressure, or thermal expansion, which an expansion tank solves. We replace the valve, test your pressure and make sure the discharge pipe ends somewhere safe.
Pilot light keeps going out?
A pilot that lights but won't stay lit usually means a worn thermocouple, the sensor that tells the gas valve a flame is present. A dirty pilot tube or failing gas valve can also cause it. No gas smell? Relight it once by the label; if it keeps going out, a part needs replacing. Smell gas? Don't relight it. Leave the building and call Atmos Energy or 911 from outside. Gas line repair.
When to replace instead
Repair makes sense when the tank is dry, reasonably young, and one part has failed. Replace when:
- the tank itself leaks (steel tanks can't be patched)
- it's 10+ years old and needs a major part like a gas valve
- you're seeing rusty hot water and repeat repairs
- the repair approaches half the price of a new heater
Fort Worth requires a permit to replace a water heater, even like-for-like. See water heater installation and replacement for options, including tankless, and our $150-off water heater coupon.
What repairs cost
Price depends on the part, the fuel type and access; attic units take longer. Ask about our $0 dispatch fee with repair (coupons for terms). More detail: our water heater repair cost guide.
Areas we serve
Fort Worth, including Riverside, Oakhurst, Six Points, the Northside and Near Southside. Also Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Saginaw, Lake Worth, Benbrook, Kennedale and Burleson.
Water heater repair FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Fort Worth?
Yes. Fort Worth requires a permit to replace a water heater, even when the new unit matches the old one. Our installation page explains the steps.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If the tank is dry and under about 10 years old, repair is usually the better deal. If the tank leaks or the repair nears half the price of a new heater, replace it. We'll give you both options and an honest recommendation.
How long does a water heater last in Fort Worth?
Most tank water heaters last roughly 8–12 years. Hard water speeds up sediment and corrosion, so tanks that are never flushed tend to land at the short end. Tankless units usually last longer if they're descaled regularly.
Why is my water heater popping or rumbling?
It's almost always sediment. Water trapped under the mineral layer boils when the burner or lower element heats it. A flush often quiets it. If the noise starts late in the tank's life, the tank may be wearing out.
What if my water heater starts leaking after 11 PM?
Call (817) 755-5621. Office hours are 8 AM–11 PM daily, and our 24/7 emergency service sends the on-call plumber right away for a leaking water heater. While you wait, close the cold-water valve on top and switch off the breaker or set the gas to "Pilot." Smell gas? Leave the building and call 911 from outside.
Get your hot water back
Office hours 8 AM–11 PM daily · 24/7 emergency service
Plumber 24 Fort Worth · 955 N Sylvania Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76111 · (817) 755-5621