Water Heater Repair in Dover, NH
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Winter storms and cold are hard on a water heater here
Dover homes need heat from October through May, eight months of the year, and winter nights average 16°F from December through February. Incoming water is cold for most of that stretch, so the heating element or burner is running longer on every cycle to keep up. That extra runtime is what wears out an electric element early or fouls a gas burner and its igniter.
The last ten years brought 44 winter storms and 43 damaging wind events to the area, and statewide, 22% of households went at least 24 hours without power in 2024. A gas water heater with a standing pilot keeps making hot water through an outage like that. One with an electronic ignition will not light again until the power is back, and you will notice when the tap runs cold and stays that way.
- 16°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 22%
- of New Hampshire 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
- Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?
- The most common reason is that the tank itself has rusted through and is failing. Sediment builds up in the bottom of the tank over years of use, and it can corrode the steel until a crack or pinhole opens up. Once a tank is leaking like this, it needs to be replaced, not patched. A loose drain valve or a fitting can also leak and look like it is coming from the bottom, so a contractor should check those before condemning the tank.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- Usually the thermocouple has worn out and can no longer hold the gas valve open once you let go of the button. It sits right next to the pilot flame and wears down with age like any part exposed to constant heat. A weak pilot flame, a draft near the burner, or a dirty pilot orifice can cause the same problem, so a contractor will want to see the flame itself before replacing anything. Do not keep relighting it over and over if it will not hold. That usually means the part needs to be swapped, not the lighting technique.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most tankless water heater problems are repairable. Common issues are a clogged inlet filter, a buildup of scale on the heat exchanger, a failed igniter, or an error code pointing to a sensor. A contractor can flush the unit, clean the filter, or replace the specific part that failed. Full replacement is usually only needed when the heat exchanger itself has cracked or corroded through.