Gas Water Heater Repair in Newark, DE

Gas water heater repair in Newark: problems we fix

• Pilot light won't light or won't stay lit
• No hot water, or water that is only warm
• Burner won't ignite or lights with a loud whoosh
• Gas control valve (thermostat) failure
• Flame sensor or thermocouple/thermopile failure
• Venting and draft problems, including back-drafting fumes
• Soot or scorch marks around the burner door
• Hot water smells like rotten eggs

Safety first: gas smell and carbon monoxide

If you smell gas, do not use light switches, phones or anything that could spark near the heater. Leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Then call us.

Signs of a venting problem include soot near the vent hood, a melted plastic part near the top of the heater, or headaches and nausea that improve when you leave home. A working carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas is a must in any home with gas appliances.

How a gas water heater works (and where it fails)

A standard gas tank has a burner under the tank and a flue pipe running up the middle. A gas control valve on the front acts as the thermostat. It lets gas flow to a small pilot flame. A thermocouple (or thermopile) sits in that flame and tells the valve it is safe to send gas to the main burner.

When any link in that chain fails, you get no heat. The most common failures we see:

Many newer tanks have a sealed combustion chamber to resist flammable vapors. These need a flame arrestor screen that must stay clean. If it is clogged with lint or dust, the heater can starve for air and shut down.

Our gas repair process

1. Safety checkWe check for gas leaks at the valve and fittings and look at the vent and draft.
2. DiagnoseWe test the thermocouple output, pilot flame, gas pressure and valve to find the failed part.
3. Repair with the right partsWe match parts to your model and fuel type (natural gas or propane).
4. Test and confirmWe run a full heat cycle, check the flame and venting, and make sure the pilot holds.

Cost factors

• Thermocouple or thermopile replacement is usually one of the lower cost gas repairs.
• Gas control valve replacement costs more because of the part price and the need to drain the tank.
• Venting corrections depend on how much pipe needs replacing.
• Age of the heater matters. A $400 repair on a 13-year-old tank may not be a good spend. We will tell you.

For tips you can try first, read water heater pilot light won't stay lit and our no hot water troubleshooting guide.

DIY vs. calling a pro

Relighting a standing pilot by following the label is fine for most homeowners. Replacing a gas valve, thermocouple or vent is gas work. In Delaware, gas work should be done by a licensed plumber or HVAC contractor, and a mistake can cause a gas leak or carbon monoxide in your home. If the pilot goes out more than once, call us.

Delaware notes for gas water heater work

Licensing. Delaware's Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration licenses plumbing and HVACR work in the state, and it says out-of-state licenses do not carry over. Gas valve, burner and vent repairs fall under that work. Ask any company for its Delaware license and check it online.

Gas leaks. If you smell rotten eggs near the heater, leave the house, then call your gas company or 911 from outside. In most of New Castle County, natural gas comes from Delmarva Power. Some homes in the outer county use propane, so the call goes to the propane supplier.

Carbon monoxide. ENERGY STAR notes that switching from gas, oil or propane to an electric heat pump removes a source of carbon monoxide from the home. If you keep gas, keep a working CO alarm near sleeping areas and on the level with the heater, and have the vent checked whenever you see soot or rust at the draft hood.

Safe temperature. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges a setting of 120°F to cut scald risk. Check the result with a kitchen thermometer at the tap closest to the heater.

Local note: Gas tanks are common across older Newark neighborhoods and in Wilmington's rowhome basements, where shared chimneys can affect draft. Propane units turn up more often in parts of Hockessin and on rural lots near Middletown.