Water Heater Repair in Moab, UT
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Cold nights mean your water heater works harder here
Moab needs heat from October through May, eight months a year, and winter nights average 20°F from December through February. Your water heater is drawing in cold water during those same months, and it runs longer to bring that water up to temperature. That extra work is what wears down a heating element or a burner before its time.
Grand County has seen 92 winter storms and 55 damaging wind events over the past ten years. Most gas water heaters with a standing pilot keep running through a power outage, but one with electronic ignition or an electric water heater will need to be restarted once power is back on.
- 20°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 7%
- of Utah 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 $80 a year off hot water for a typical Utah home.
Estimates for a typical Utah home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Utah 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?
- The most common reason is a failing tank. Sediment builds up on the bottom over the years and eats away at the lining until it cracks and leaks. It could also be a loose drain valve or a fitting that has worked itself loose, and a contractor can often fix those without replacing the tank. If the leak is coming from the tank itself, that water heater needs to be replaced, since a cracked tank cannot be repaired.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- Usually the thermocouple has worn out and can no longer sense the flame, so the gas valve shuts off as a safety measure. A dirty pilot orifice or a draft in the area can also blow the flame out or keep it from sensing right. A contractor can test the thermocouple and replace it, which is a quick fix on most tanks. If the pilot lights but won't hold even after that, the gas valve itself may need replacing.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater can be repaired rather than requiring a full replacement. Common issues are a clogged inlet filter, mineral buildup on the heat exchanger, or a failed igniter, and all of those are serviceable parts. A contractor can diagnose which part has failed and let you know whether it makes sense to repair or replace.