Water Heater Repair in Grand Junction, CO
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Grand Junction water heaters work through a long, cold winter
Mesa County sees winter nights that average 18°F from December through February. Cold groundwater comes into the tank at that same cold temperature, so the burner or element has to work harder and longer to bring it up to a usable heat. That extra runtime wears on the burner assembly and the heating element over the years.
Power is part of it too. Colorado households went without power for 24 hours or more at a notable rate last year, and this area has logged 182 winter storms and 152 damaging wind events over the past decade. When the power drops, a gas water heater with an electronic ignition won't relight on its own, and an electric water heater simply stops heating until service is back. You'll notice it as water that never quite gets hot, or a tank that used to keep up and now runs out partway through a shower.
- 18°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 9 months
- September through May, the months homes here need heat
- 13%
- of Colorado 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 $60 a year off hot water for a typical Colorado home.
Estimates for a typical Colorado home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Colorado 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?
- Most often the tank itself has rusted through and is starting to fail. Water heaters last a limited number of years, and once the tank corrodes from the inside, no amount of tightening fittings will stop the leak. It can also be a loose drain valve or a failed temperature and pressure relief valve, both of which a contractor can check before assuming the tank is done. If the leak is coming from underneath the tank itself rather than a fitting, the tank needs to be replaced.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- The most common cause is a worn thermocouple, the small part that senses the pilot flame and tells the gas valve it is safe to keep sending gas. When it wears out, it can't confirm the flame is lit even when it is, so the gas shuts off. A dirty pilot orifice or a draft in the area can also blow the flame out. A contractor can test the thermocouple and replace it if it is not holding the flame.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater are repairable. Mineral buildup on the heat exchanger, a failed igniter, or an error code from a sensor are common issues a contractor can diagnose and fix. Hard water buildup is one of the more frequent problems and often calls for flushing the unit. Whether to repair or replace depends on the age of the unit and what's failed, which a contractor can assess in person.