Water Heater Repair in Marshalltown, IA
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What Marshalltown winters do to a water heater
Groundwater coming into your house is already cold before winter even starts, and from December through February nights here average 14°F. Your water heater has to work harder to make up that difference, and it runs that way for eight months, October through May. That extra work falls on the heating element or the burner, and on the thermostat that tells it when to fire.
Marshall County has seen 65 damaging wind events and 21 winter storms over the past ten years, and statewide, 15% of households lost power for at least 24 hours in 2024. If the power drops in the middle of winter, a gas water heater with a standing pilot stays lit, but one with an electronic igniter will not come back on by itself. An electric water heater simply stops until the power does. Either way, you notice when the water coming out of the tap turns cold and stays that way.
- 14°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 15%
- of Iowa 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 $50 a year off hot water for a typical Iowa home.
Estimates for a typical Iowa home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Iowa 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 and is holding water it can no longer contain. Sediment settles at the bottom of the tank over years, and once it eats through the steel, the leak will not stop or seal itself. It can also be a loose drain valve or a fitting that has failed, which a contractor can check before assuming the tank is done. If the tank is the source, it needs to be replaced rather than patched.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- The most common cause is a thermocouple that has worn out and no longer signals the gas valve to stay open. Dirt or dust on the pilot opening can also block the flame, and a draft near the unit can blow it out. A contractor can test the thermocouple and clean the assembly to find which one it is. A standing pilot does not use power at all, so this is not a fix that a power outage would explain.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater are repairable. Mineral scale on the heat exchanger, a failed igniter, or a clogged inlet filter are common issues and each can be cleaned or replaced. A contractor can flush the unit and test its parts to find the cause. Whether repair or replacement makes more sense depends on the unit's age and condition, which a contractor can assess in person.