No hot water
Pilot, thermocouple, gas valve, burner, element, thermostat, or breaker.
★ 4.8 Stars · 8,500+ Google Reviews · Calls answered 24/7
Water Heater Repair in Northern California
Cold shower this morning? Puddle under the tank? Pilot that won't stay lit, or popping noises from the garage? Earl's Plumbing tests your gas or electric water heater, finds the part that failed, and fixes it, often the same day.
Call or text (530) 343-0330 — a real person answers calls day or night.
Earl's Plumbing repairs gas and electric tank water heaters throughout Northern California, from Shasta County to Placer County, family-owned since 1998.
We fix no hot water, pilot and thermocouple problems, gas valves, heating elements, thermostats, leaks, relief valves, sediment, and rotten-egg smells on all major brands, with no service call fee.
Call or text (530) 343-0330 or schedule online for a free quote.
Repair first, honest advice
$0 service call fee
Gas & electric
Same-day when available
Financing (OAC)
CSLB #772565
Web-only offer
$25 OFF
Water Heater Repair
Mention this page when you call or text, or add "$25 web offer" when you book online.
📞 Claim by Phone 📅 Claim OnlineOffer ends this month. One per household.
💧 Water heater leaking? Shut off the cold water valve on top.
Gas: turn the control to off. Electric: flip its breaker. Smell gas? Leave and call 911. Then call us — 24/7.
Water Heater Problems We Fix
Water heaters never break on a convenient day. Here's what we see most, and most of it is fixable.
Pilot won't stay lit
Usually a worn thermocouple or flame sensor. Sometimes the gas valve.
Leaking
Valves and connections are repairable. A leaking tank means replacement.
Not hot enough
Thermostat, a failed element, or a tank full of sediment.
Popping or rumbling
Sediment on the bottom of the tank. A flush often quiets it down.
Rotten-egg smell
Bacteria reacting with the anode rod, common on wells. Fixable.
Rusty hot water
Corroded anode rod or tank. We'll tell you which.
Relief valve dripping
The T&P valve is a safety device. Replace it, don't plug it.
Gas or Electric, Here's What We Check
Every brand: Rheem, Bradford White, A.O. Smith, State, American, and more. Our trucks carry the common parts.
🔥 Gas water heaters
- Pilot assembly and thermocouple or flame sensor
- Gas control valve and burner
- Flue and venting draft, for safe combustion
- Gas line, shutoff, and connections
⚡ Electric water heaters
- Upper and lower heating elements
- Thermostats and high-limit reset
- Wiring and breaker
- Element gaskets for leaks
Both types: T&P relief valve, drain valve, connections, anode rod, sediment, and earthquake strapping. Tankless? See tankless repair & maintenance.
Fixed Right Means Safe, Too
A water heater is a tank of hot water under pressure, and on gas units, an open flame. So every repair includes a safety check, and we'll point out anything that isn't up to code.
- Earthquake straps. California requires water heaters to be braced or strapped.
- Relief valve & discharge line. Working valve, properly routed pipe.
- Venting. Gas units must draft correctly to carry fumes outside.
- Gas shutoff & connections. Checked for leaks and proper fittings.
Repair It or Replace It?
We fix first when it makes sense. When a tank's done, we'll show you why.
Repair it when…
- It's a thermocouple, element, thermostat, or valve
- The leak is at a fitting or valve, not the tank
- The tank is under about 10 years old
- It's otherwise been reliable
Replace it when…
- The tank itself is leaking or rusted at the seams
- It's about 10–12 years old or more
- Repairs keep adding up
- You want more hot water or tankless
Before
When the tank's doneRust and corrosion at the base usually mean the tank has reached the end.
Out it goes
Replacement, same crewSee water heater replacement options.
★★★★★
"Ryan was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable from start to finish. He thoroughly assessed my leaking, aging water heater and clearly explained the pros and cons of both tank and tankless options. He answered all of my questions and even checked my attic to confirm gas line sizing. Thanks to his guidance, I was able to make a confident, informed decision that fit my needs and budget. In less than 24 hours, I went from a leaking tank to having reliable hot water again."
— Cris, Chico · Leaking water heater · Technician: Ryan W.
Why Homeowners Call Earl's for Water Heater Repair
Hot water back, a straight answer, and no surprise on the bill.
We test before we guess
We find the failed part instead of swapping parts until something works.
Repair or replace, honestly
If a thermocouple fixes it, that's the quote. If the tank's done, you'll know.
Parts on the truck
Common parts for major brands, so most repairs finish in one visit.
No service call fee
Free quote before any work. You decide, no pressure.
Same-day when available
Calls answered 24/7. No hot water and leaks get priority.
100% satisfaction guarantee
If it's not right, we make it right. 28 years and three local offices behind that.
Nobody Appreciates Hot Water Until It's Gone
Your water heater sits in the garage doing its job for years without a word of thanks. Then one morning it quits, usually right before somebody has to get ready for work.
Here's the good news: a lot of water heater problems are one part, like a thermocouple, an element, or a valve, and we can usually fix it on the spot. If the tank itself is leaking, no part will save it, and we'll tell you that straight instead of selling you a repair that won't last. Either way, you'll know the price before we start.
— Clinton EarlOwner, Earl's Plumbing · Your Friend in the Business
28
Years serving Northern CA
8,500+
Google reviews
$0
Service call fee
24/7
Calls answered
Chico 4.8 ★ · 5,039 reviews
Redding 4.8 ★ · 2,527 reviews
Yuba City 4.8 ★ · 1,002 reviews
Call or Text Your Nearest Earl's Office
Three local offices covering eight Northern California counties. Every line takes calls and texts.
Redding
Redding · Anderson · Cottonwood · Shasta Lake · Palo Cedro · Red Bluff · Corning
(530) 244-3275
Schedule Water Heater Repair Online — Free Quote
Book in about a minute, right here on the page. Mention "$25 web offer" in your notes and we'll apply it.
1Pick your service
2Choose a time that works
3Get a confirmation — done
Rather talk to a person? Call or text (530) 343-0330 — we answer 24/7.
Leaking or no hot water? Call for the fastest scheduling: (530) 343-0330.
Water Heater Repair Questions, Answered
No hot water, leaks, noises, smells, and repair vs. replace. Straight answers here.
Why is my water heater not making hot water?
On a gas water heater, the usual causes are a pilot that won't stay lit, a worn thermocouple or flame sensor, a failed gas control valve, or a burner problem. On an electric water heater, it is usually a burned-out heating element, a bad thermostat, or a tripped breaker. A plumber can test each part and replace only what failed.
Why is my water heater leaking?
Leaks from the temperature and pressure relief valve, the drain valve, or the pipe connections on top are usually repairable. Water coming from the tank itself, often with rust at the bottom seam, means the tank has corroded through and the water heater needs to be replaced. A plumber can tell which in a few minutes.
What should I do if my water heater is leaking?
Turn off the cold water valve on the pipe above the water heater. On a gas unit, turn the gas control to off or pilot; on an electric unit, switch off its breaker. Keep water away from outlets and the burner area, then call a plumber. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility.
Why is my water heater making popping or rumbling noises?
Popping and rumbling usually come from sediment, mostly hard water minerals, settled at the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under the sediment boils and pops as the burner heats it. Flushing the tank can reduce the noise and help efficiency. On an older tank with heavy buildup, replacement may be the better investment.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
A rotten egg smell only in the hot water usually comes from bacteria in the tank reacting with the anode rod, which produces hydrogen sulfide. It is common with well water. Replacing the anode rod with a different type and flushing the tank usually fixes it. If the cold water smells too, the problem is the water supply.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
Repair usually makes sense when the tank is younger than about 10 years and the problem is a part like a thermocouple, element, thermostat, or valve. Replacement is usually smarter when the tank itself is leaking, the unit is 10 to 12 years old or more, or repairs keep adding up. Earl's Plumbing quotes both options.
Do water heaters need earthquake straps in California?
Yes. California law requires water heaters to be braced, anchored, or strapped to resist falling or moving in an earthquake. A tipped water heater can break gas and water lines. When Earl's Plumbing repairs a water heater, we also check strapping, the relief valve discharge line, venting, and the gas shutoff, and point out anything not up to code.
How much does water heater repair cost?
It depends on what failed. A thermocouple is a much smaller job than a gas valve or a leaking tank. That's why we don't charge a service call fee. We come out, test the unit, and give you a free quote before we start. If your tank isn't worth fixing, I'd rather you hear it from us.