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Get a fair quoteBy Our research team · Last verified · 12 jobs priced · Methodology
For most water heater repairs. The full price list is below.
How we get this data$150–$700 for most water heater repairs, and about $450 is typical. A new heating element or thermostat costs $100–$350, a gas control valve $150–$550, and an anode rod $150–$350. If the tank itself leaks, it has to be replaced ($800–$3,100).
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 36+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Most fixes cost $150–$700, parts and labor included. Prices below are per repair.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating element (electric)per job | $100 | $230 | $350 |
| Thermostat (electric)per job | $100 | $230 | $350 |
| Thermocouple (gas)per job | $100 | $210 | $325 |
| Igniter (gas)per job | $75 | $210 | $350 |
| Gas control valveper job | $150 | $350 | $550 |
| Temperature and pressure relief valveper job | $50 | $180 | $300 |
| Dip tubeper job | $100 | $200 | $300 |
| Service call or diagnostic feeper job | $50 | $130 | $200 |
| Anode rod replacementper job | $150 | $250 | $350 |
| Tank flush (sediment)per job | $75 | $150 | $250 |
| Tankless flush and descaleper job | $100 | $200 | $350 |
| Tankless repairper job | $300 | $600 | $1,300 |
US prices, November 2026. Low is a simple job in a low-cost area; high is a bigger job or a high-cost city.
Yes. The same job costs more where labor and rent cost more. Here's how water heater prices in the biggest US metros compare with the US typical of $1800.
Labor, rent and demand move every job on this page in the same direction. Open your city's guide for its full local price list.
Electric tanks fail most often at the heating elements and thermostats: $100–$350 each. Gas tanks fail at the thermocouple, igniter or gas control valve: $100–$325 for a thermocouple and $150–$550 for a gas valve.
Many plumbers charge a service call of $50–$200 to diagnose the problem, often credited against the repair. Ask before they come out.
Repair a tank under about 8 years old with one failed part. Replace it if the tank body leaks, it's past about 10 years, or the repair costs more than half of a new install ($900 at the typical $1,800).
Rusty hot water, rumbling or popping and a damp base are signs the tank is wearing out. A planned replacement at $1,800 costs less than an emergency one at $2,150.
The anode rod is a metal rod that corrodes so the tank doesn't. Replacing it ($150–$350) before it's used up can add years to a tank. A yearly flush ($75–$250) clears sediment, which matters most with hard water.
Tankless units need descaling about once a year, every six months with hard water: $100–$350 a visit.
Gas valves, gas lines and venting are licensed work in most places. Leave them to a licensed plumber.
Red flags: a full replacement pushed on a tank only a few years old for a cheap part, a flush offered as the fix for a leaking tank, or a diagnostic fee you only learn about at the end.
Most problems trace back to one part, and most one-part fixes cost $150–$700. Find what you're seeing below.
| What you notice | Likely cause | Typical fix price |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water (electric) | Tripped breaker, or a failed element or thermostat | $100–$350 per part |
| No hot water (gas) | Pilot out, worn thermocouple or failed igniter | $100–$325 or $75–$350 |
| Gas burner still won't light after a new thermocouple | Failed gas control valve | $150–$550 |
| Hot water runs out fast | Failed lower element, broken dip tube or heavy sediment | $100–$300 for a dip tube |
| Rumbling or popping | Sediment on the bottom of the tank | $75–$250 |
| Hot water smells like rotten eggs | The anode rod reacting with your water | $150–$350 |
| Water from the relief valve pipe | Pressure or heat too high, a worn valve, or no expansion tank | $50–$300; expansion tank $100–$400 |
| Water too hot | Thermostat stuck or set too high | $100–$350 |
| Water leaking from the tank itself | The tank has rusted through | Replace: $800–$3,100 |
A plumber may also charge $50–$200 to find the fault, often taken off the repair bill. If you smell gas in the air, leave the home and call your gas utility from outside.
A few minutes of checks can save a $130 call-out. Stop at once if you smell gas or water is spreading.
This repair comes to about $590, under half the $1,500 cost of a new electric tank. On a tank this young, it's worth fixing.
Doing both parts in one visit often costs less than two separate jobs. Many plumbers also take the service call off the bill when you go ahead with the repair.
Get the price in writing before work starts. Then ask these questions.
A new gas valve quoted before anyone checks the cheaper parts is a common upsell. Watch for these too.
Never plug, cap or remove the relief valve or its pipe. It lets water out if the tank gets too hot or the pressure gets too high. A drip often means the water pressure is too high or the home needs an expansion tank ($100–$400). Fix the cause, not the drip.
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Usually not. At about 10 years a tank is near the end of its life, and the money is better spent on a new one ($800–$3,100). A small fix like a thermostat can still make sense if you plan to replace it soon.
On an electric tank, a tripped breaker, a failed element or a thermostat ($100–$350). On gas, a pilot or igniter problem, a thermocouple or the gas valve ($150–$550).
$100–$350 with parts and labor, about $230 typical.
$150–$550, about $350 typical. On an older tank, compare that with a new install.
$300–$1,300, about $600 typical. A heat exchanger is the costly part and can make replacement the better buy.
$100–$325 with parts and labor, and $210 is typical. It's one of the cheapest gas water heater repairs.
The valve is letting water out because the pressure or heat is too high, or the valve is worn. A new valve costs $50–$300. If high pressure is the cause, you may need an expansion tank ($100–$400). Never plug the pipe.
Usually the anode rod is reacting with your water. A new rod, often made of a different metal, costs $150–$350. If you smell gas in the air instead, leave the home and call your gas utility.
$50–$200, and $130 is typical. Many plumbers take it off the repair bill if you go ahead.
At least once a year, and more often with hard water, makers say. A plumber charges $75–$250 for a flush.
Maybe for the part. Many tank warranties cover parts for a set number of years, but not labor. Look up your warranty with the model and serial number on the maker's website.