Water Heater Repair in Little Rock, AR
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What Pulaski County winters do to a water heater
Your water heater works harder from November through March, with winter nights averaging 33°F. Cold groundwater comes into the tank colder, so the burner or heating element runs longer to bring it up to temperature. That extra runtime wears on the thermostat and the heating element in an electric unit, or the igniter and burner assembly in a gas one.
Power outages add another strain. Nearly a quarter of Arkansas households went at least a day without power last year, and this county has logged 178 damaging wind events and 12 winter storms over the past decade. Most water heaters come back on by themselves once power returns, but a storm that knocks out power during a cold snap means the water sitting in that tank has longer to cool, and you will notice it when the tap runs lukewarm instead of hot.
- 33°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 5 months
- November through March, the months homes here need heat
- 24%
- of Arkansas 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 $70 a year off hot water for a typical Arkansas home.
Estimates for a typical Arkansas home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Arkansas 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 often the tank itself has rusted through from the inside and is starting to fail. It could also be the drain valve not sealing, or fittings near the bottom that have loosened over time. If the leak is coming from the tank body, the water heater needs to be replaced, not repaired, since there is no way to patch a steel tank. A contractor can check the valve and fittings first to see if the tank is really the source.
- 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, it can't hold the valve open and the flame goes out. A dirty pilot orifice or a draft near the pilot can also cause this. A contractor can test the thermocouple and replace it if it's the problem.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most tankless water heater problems are repairable. Issues like a failed igniter, a clogged inlet filter, mineral buildup on the heat exchanger, or a bad sensor can all be fixed without replacing the unit. A contractor can pull the error code from the unit's display to find out exactly which part is causing the trouble.