No hot water
On a gas heater it's often the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve. On an electric heater it's usually an element, a thermostat or a tripped breaker. Most of these are repairs.
Call (319) 600-4224Request your free estimate
Request your water heater repair or install here and get $50 off. We’ll call you back.
When a water heater fails, it usually fails on a busy morning. A-1 Sewer Service repairs and replaces gas and electric tank water heaters for homes and businesses around Iowa City and the Corridor. If a part has failed, we'll fix it. If the tank is done, we'll tell you why and give you a price on the right replacement, after checking the gas supply, venting and space. Call (319) 600-4224 or request a free estimate.
Most water heaters give a warning before they quit. If you're seeing any of these, call and we'll tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement.
On a gas heater it's often the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve. On an electric heater it's usually an element, a thermostat or a tripped breaker. Most of these are repairs.
Call (319) 600-4224A leak from a fitting or the relief valve can often be fixed. Water coming from the tank itself means it has rusted through and needs to be replaced.
Call (319) 600-4224Brown hot water, when the cold runs clear, usually means rust inside the tank. Sometimes a new anode rod helps. On an older tank it's a sign the end is near.
Call (319) 600-4224That noise is hard-water sediment at the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help if it's caught early. Years of buildup wears the tank out faster.
Call (319) 600-4224A failed lower element on an electric heater, or a tank half full of sediment, both cut your supply. So does a household that has outgrown its heater.
Call (319) 600-4224On a gas heater this usually points to a worn thermocouple or flame sensor. It's one of the most common repairs we make, and it's usually done in one visit.
Call (319) 600-4224Smell gas? Don't try to relight the pilot. Leave the house and call your gas company from outside. Once they've made it safe, we can repair or replace the heater.
Most tank water heaters last around 8 to 12 years. The age of the heater and where the problem is decide most of the answer. We'll always give you both options before any work starts.
If a repair on an older heater would cost close to what a new one does, we'll show you both prices side by side and let you decide. Not sure how old yours is? The date is usually printed in the serial number on the label. Read it to us over the phone at (319) 600-4224 and we can tell you.
Replacement pricing
$1,600–$2,000
40 or 50 gallon water heater
A new 40 or 50 gallon water heater starts at $1,600 and runs up to $2,000, depending on the water heater you choose. We'll tell you the exact price before any work starts.
Request it online and get $50 off. Request a free estimate or call (319) 600-4224.
We start by looking at what you have now: the size of the old unit, the gas line or electrical supply, the venting and the room around it. Then we recommend a unit and give you a price. On install day we drain and disconnect the old heater, set the new one, connect water, gas or power and venting, and fill and test it. We check for leaks and make sure the water reaches temperature before we leave.
On a gas heater, the gas line and the flue decide whether a replacement is simple or involved. A new tank is sometimes a different height or size than the old one, so the gas connection and vent pipe may need adjusting to fit it safely. If your gas line or vent has to change, we'll explain why and include it in the price up front, so there are no surprises halfway through.
We swapped out an old gas tank for a new A.O. Smith heater in a basement utility room. Here's what the job included.
Eastern Iowa water is hard. The minerals settle at the bottom of a tank as scale, which insulates the water from the burner, makes the heater work harder and causes that rumbling sound. Flushing a tank now and then slows the buildup.
Older houses, finished basements and apartments often put the water heater in a closet or a corner that's barely big enough for it. We measure the space and the door you have to carry it through, and match a replacement tank that fits, so there are no surprises on install day.
We repair and install water heaters in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Cedar Rapids, West Liberty, Kalona and the Amana Colonies. For fixture work and other plumbing, see the plumbing page.
Finished work from across Eastern Iowa. Drag the slider to compare.
“Fantastic service! Called, told him the bottom of my water heater is leaking, sent him pics of everything and he was out the next day replacing it at a reasonable price! Highly recommend 👌 Thank you!”
“10 Stars if I could. Coming from someone who builds systems and processes for a 9 figure company, Andy does it all right and keeps it simple. Easy to find in search, stands out in reviews, easy to see why. Answered the phone 8am first try, flexible to when I needed, arrived within hours of first contact. Followups easy in text. Got pertinent info, walked the house, got to work, fixed it and another issue after quick run to store for parts. More than reasonable price. In my phone for next time if I ever need it! Thanks Andy!”
“First time using A1 and I can’t say enough positive. Andy came within the hour that I called to unclog a basement floor drain. He was very thorough and checked to make sure the blockage was not coming from more than one area. He cleaned it out in a short time, got things moving and had good suggestions to help minimize future problems. Reasonable charges for good work and an honest pleasant person. Highly recommended.”
If the heater is under about 8 years old and a part has failed, such as an element, thermostat, thermocouple or valve, a repair usually makes sense. If the tank itself is leaking, or the heater is past 10 to 12 years old and needing repairs, replacing it is the better spend. We'll give you both options and prices before any work starts.
On a gas heater it's often the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve. On an electric heater it's usually a heating element, a thermostat or a tripped breaker. A heater that runs out of hot water quickly may have a failed element or a tank full of sediment. Call us and we'll walk through it with you.
Turn off the cold water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater. Turn the gas control to off for a gas heater, or switch off the breaker for an electric one. Then call (319) 600-4224. A leak from a fitting can often be repaired, but a leak from the tank itself means the heater needs to be replaced.
Most tank water heaters last around 8 to 12 years. Hard water can shorten that, because scale builds up in the tank.
Yes. We repair and replace both gas and electric tank water heaters. We don't install or service tankless units.
A new 40 or 50 gallon water heater starts at $1,600 and runs up to $2,000, depending on the water heater. We'll give you the exact price before any work starts, and requesting it through our website gets you $50 off.
A straight tank-for-tank swap is usually done in a single visit. If the gas line, venting or water connections need updating, it can take longer. We'll tell you what to expect when we quote it.
With hard Eastern Iowa water, flushing a tank about once a year helps keep sediment from building up.
Sometimes. Utility companies and manufacturers run rebates on efficient models from time to time. Check with your gas or electric provider, and ask us when we quote the job.
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You’re on this pageIf your water heater is leaking, noisy or out of hot water, call A-1 Sewer Service at (319) 600-4224, or request a free estimate online and get $50 off.
Water heater repair, drain cleaning and plumbing from our shop off Bay Ridge Dr on the south side of Iowa City.