Water Heater Services Plano

Gas units: Most common cause is a failed thermocouple or gas control valve — the pilot lights but the burner won’t fire. Electric units: Upper or lower heating element failure, or a tripped high-limit reset button on the thermostat. Verification: If the pilot is lit but the burner won’t ignite, the thermocouple likely needs replacement. If the breaker is on but elements aren’t heating, test with a multimeter or call for diagnosis.

Water pooling beneath the tank usually indicates internal tank corrosion (the glass lining has cracked, exposing the steel shell to water) or a failed drain valve. A leak from the T&P relief valve discharge pipe typically means excessive pressure or temperature — not a tank failure. Age signal: If your tank is 8+ years old and leaking from the bottom, replacement is almost always more cost-effective than repair. Internal tank corrosion cannot be patched.

Sediment from North Texas hard water (15–20+ grains per gallon — nearly double the national average) settles on the bottom of the tank and hardens over time. When the burner fires, water trapped beneath sediment flashes to steam, causing popping or rumbling sounds. Verification: If flushing produces chunks of white or tan mineral debris, sediment is the confirmed cause. Annual flushing prevents this. If the tank has never been flushed and is 5+ years old in North Texas, expect significant buildup.

The sacrificial anode rod inside the tank corrodes intentionally to protect the steel shell. Once the anode is fully depleted, the tank itself begins to corrode — producing rust-colored hot water (cold water will run clear if the source is the water heater, not the supply). Maintenance signal: Anode rods should be inspected every 3–5 years and replaced when more than 50% depleted. In North Texas hard water, replacement every 3 years is typical.

Three common causes: (1) Undersized unit — a 40-gallon tank struggles to serve a 4+ person household with simultaneous showers and appliances. (2) Sediment buildup — mineral deposits displace usable water volume in the tank, effectively shrinking capacity. (3) Broken dip tube — the cold inlet tube has cracked, mixing incoming cold water with stored hot water near the top of the tank.

The thermocouple is a safety sensor that sits in the pilot flame and generates a small electrical signal to keep the gas valve open. When a thermocouple fails or drifts out of position, it can’t sense the pilot — and the gas valve shuts off as a safety measure. Also check: Draft conditions. Water heaters in garages or utility rooms with poor combustion air supply can have intermittent pilot issues from wind or negative pressure.

Sulfur smell in hot water (but not cold) is caused by anaerobic bacteria reacting with a depleted magnesium anode rod inside the tank, producing hydrogen sulfide gas. This is a water chemistry issue, not a health hazard at these concentrations. Fix: Replace the magnesium anode with a zinc or powered anode rod, and flush the tank. A powered anode eliminates the bacterial reaction entirely and never needs replacement.