Should I repair or replace my water heater?

If your tank is under 8 to 10 years old and the tank itself isn't leaking, a repair is usually the better value. Once the tank itself starts leaking, replacement is the only real option.

Why is my water heater making noise?

Popping or rumbling sounds usually mean sediment has built up at the bottom of the tank and is being disturbed as the water heats. A flush often resolves it.

Is a leaking water heater an emergency?

Yes. A leaking tank will only get worse, and it can cause real water damage. Shut off the water and power to the unit and call us.

The Dr Rooter team at their Lexington, SC warehouse

Dr Rooter technician arriving at a customer's home

Dr Rooter technician running a pressure test

Dr Rooter technician locating an underground line

Dr Rooter technician using leak detection equipment

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Water Heater Repair in Columbia, SC

A water heater that's leaking, running out of hot water fast, or making strange noises is telling you something. We diagnose the actual cause, whether it's a heating element, a thermostat or a failing tank, and give you an honest repair or replacement recommendation.

Call (803) 761-9935

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Local to Columbia

What Columbia Homeowners Should Know

Columbia Water supplies roughly 375,000 customers across the capital and a good part of the surrounding Midlands, Dr Rooter's own service area included, since several of the smaller towns we work in buy their water wholesale from Columbia. That system came close to failing in October 2015, when record rainfall breached the levee at the Columbia Canal, the channel that feeds the city's water treatment plant, forcing an emergency rock dam and backup pumps to keep the taps running for the region. The full repair of that breach is still being finished today, a decade later, alongside new projects meant to add a backup river intake so the same kind of failure can't threaten supply again. Inside individual homes, the age split is just as real: century-old housing near downtown and the university still runs on original cast iron and galvanized plumbing, while the newer apartments and subdivisions ringing the city are built on PVC and PEX.

Our trucks already run routes through Columbia every week, so a licensed technician is never far away when you need water heater repair.

What's Included

What You Get With Water Heater Repair in Columbia

Same-day diagnosis for most common water heater problems

Honest advice on repair versus replacement based on your tank's age

Work with both gas and electric water heaters

Flush and inspection service to extend the life of your unit

Call (803) 761-9935(803) 761-9935

Common Issues

Common Water Heater Problems in Columbia

No Hot Water

A tripped breaker, a bad heating element or a failed thermostat are the usual suspects.

Not Enough Hot Water

Sediment buildup reduces the effective tank capacity over time.

Rusty or Discolored Water

This often signals the tank itself is corroding from the inside and nearing the end of its life.

Leaking Tank

Once the tank itself leaks, the unit typically needs to be replaced rather than repaired.

Strange Noises

Popping, rumbling or knocking sounds are usually caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank.

Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit

A faulty thermocouple is a common and usually inexpensive fix for gas water heaters.

How It Works

Getting Help Is Simple

Start here

Call or Book Online

Tell us what's going on. We'll get you on the schedule, often the same day.

Call (803) 761-9935(803) 761-9935

We Diagnose the Problem

Your technician arrives on time, inspects the issue and walks you through the fix and the price before starting.

We Fix It Right

We complete the repair, clean up after ourselves and make sure everything works before we leave.

Common Questions

Water Heater Repair FAQs

A failing heating element, a broken dip tube, or heavy sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank are the most common causes. We can diagnose which one applies to your unit.