Call 908-873-6686Veteran-owned · NJ Master Plumber Lic. #36BI01345600
Plumbing Doctor van, protecting your health and sanitation4.9 174 reviews
on Google4.9 121 reviews
on ThumbtackCall 24/7908-873-6686Request service

Water heater repair and replacement in Central New Jersey

Plumbing Doctor repairs and replaces gas and electric tank water heaters for homes and businesses across Central New Jersey, and diagnoses, repairs and maintains tankless units. We don't install or replace tankless heaters, install heaters over 50 gallons or service oil-fired units. We test the heater first and tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or the unit is due for replacement. Written upfront flat-rate pricing options. You choose.

Call 908-873-6686 Request service

4.9 stars, 174 Google reviews · NJ Master Plumber Lic. #36BI01345600

  1. You call or bookWe respond immediately. Same-day appointments may be available.
  2. We look firstFind the cause, not just the symptom.
  3. You get optionsWritten upfront flat-rate pricing options. You choose.
  4. We fix it rightMost company-supplied materials and repairs come with a 1 year parts and labor warranty. Client-supplied materials are not covered under our warranty.

Signs it's time to call

Any of these? Call us. We'll tell you on the phone whether it needs a visit today.

No hot water, or it runs out much faster than it used toCall nowWater pooling around the base of the tankCall nowRusty or brown hot waterCall usRumbling or popping sounds from the tankCall usA pilot light that won't stay litCall usA rotten-egg smell from the hot waterCall usThe heater is more than 10 years old and keeps breaking downCall us

Repair or replace?

A water heater that stops working doesn't always need replacing. Many problems come down to one part: a thermostat, a heating element, a gas valve or an igniter. We test the heater first and tell you what's wrong.

Replacement makes sense when the tank itself leaks, or when the heater is more than about 10 years old and keeps breaking down. At that point another repair rarely pays off. Either way, you get written upfront flat-rate pricing options before we start, and we won't push a new heater you don't need.

Need one or the other? See water heater repair or water heater replacement.

Water heaters we work on

  • Gas tank heaters, the type we see most

  • Electric tank heaters

  • Tankless (on-demand) heaters, gas and electric: diagnostics, repairs and maintenance only

  • Instant hot water dispensers at the sink

We don't install or replace tankless heaters, install heaters over 50 gallons or service oil-fired units.

Keep it running longer

Central Jersey water carries minerals that settle at the bottom of the tank. That sediment makes the heater work harder and wears it out sooner. Flushing the tank once a year and checking the anode rod every few years add years to a heater's life. Read our guide to water heater maintenance for what a tune-up covers.

Where we work

Most municipalities in Middlesex, Somerset, and Monmouth counties; Select Union, Ocean, Mercer and Hunterdon municipalities only. Contact us to confirm whether your job site is within our current service area. Hard water is common in parts of Central Jersey, and the scale it leaves in the tank is one of the main reasons heaters here wear out early.

Step-by-step guides

Our free guides cover the first checks you can make yourself, and when to stop and call.

What does it cost?You get written upfront flat-rate pricing options before any work starts. How Much Does Water Heater Replacement Cost explains what changes the price.
Lic. #36BI01345600Licensed, bonded & insuredVeteran-ownedBBB A+ accredited
908-873-6686 Request service
A

Gas tank

Best for: Homes with gas service

The common choice. Heats fast and usually swaps in right where the old one was.

B

Electric tank

Best for: Homes without gas

Simple to install and no venting. Slower to recover after heavy use.

C

Tankless

Best for: Service only

We do diagnostics, repairs and maintenance on tankless units. We don't install or replace them.

Water Heater Repair & Installs

Which water heater do you have?

Not sure which you need? We check first and tell you honestly, with written upfront flat-rate pricing options before any work starts.

908-873-6686
  • 4.9
    Stars on Google
  • 174
    Google reviews
  • 25
    Years in the trade
  • #36BI01345600
    NJ Master Plumber · veteran-owned

How we handle it

Every water heater repair & installs job follows the same four steps, and you know the price before step three.

Step 01Water Heater Repair & Installs

Diagnose

We check the burner or elements, thermostat, gas valve, venting, anode rod and the tank itself.

Step 02Water Heater Repair & Installs

Repair or replace

You get written upfront flat-rate pricing options for both. Repair is the default when the tank is sound.

Step 03Water Heater Repair & Installs

Install to code

New tank heaters go in with the venting, relief valve and expansion control the system calls for.

Step 04Water Heater Repair & Installs

Test and clean up

We check for leaks and set the temperature. The work area is cleaner than before.

Selected Google reviews

What neighbors say

Excellent4.9 from 174 reviews on Google
Richard F.Google review
★★★★★

Had backup and they came out in half hour on a Sunday and got the blockage resolved. They cleaned up after themselves. Very very professional people.

Lisa L.Google review
★★★★★

Honest, reliable and they do a great job. I highly recommend plumbing doctor services.

Felicia T.Google review
★★★★★

Mike is awesome, knowledgeable, thorough and friendly! Overall great and expedient experience!

John G.Google review
★★★★★

Excellent service and very knowledgeable. I definitely recommend them.

JoeGoogle review
★★★★★

Very knowledgeable, attention to detail, extremely neat and organized. We highly recommend Plumbing Doctor.

Naomi H.Google review
★★★★★

Mike works quickly and is transparent with pricing. He's trustworthy, reliable and brings his own shoe covers.

Hazim A.Google review
★★★★★

They tell me what is worth doing or not doing, and won't try to upcharge me. The work is always great. They are my go-to!

Kevin C.Google review
★★★★★

Found my outdoor cleanout that was covered up for years and no other company could find! … They use drop cloths and clean up when they are done.

Read all 174 reviews on Google · Leave us a review

Leaking pipe right now?

Shut off the water first if you can reach the valve safely, then call us, day or night.

908-873-6686

Outside regular hours and on holidays, emergency service requires a $250 upfront emergency fee. When paid, the standard $49 service fee is waived. During regular hours there is no emergency fee. Additional repairs are quoted before work begins. We respond immediately upon contact; dispatch and arrival depend on availability and location.

Do this now

  1. Shut the main valve. Usually where the water line enters, near the meter.
  2. Stay clear of electricity. Don't enter standing water or touch electrical controls near the leak.
  3. Open a low faucet to drain the pipes and take pressure off the leak.

Water Heater Repair & Installs: common questions

Should I repair or replace my water heater?

If the tank itself is leaking, it has to be replaced, because a tank can't be patched. If one part has failed, such as a thermostat, heating element, gas valve or igniter, a repair usually makes sense. Once a heater is past about 10 years old and breaking down often, replacing it tends to cost less over time than repeated repairs. We test it and give you both options.

How long does a water heater last?

A standard tank water heater usually lasts about 8 to 12 years. Hard water shortens that because minerals settle as sediment at the bottom of the tank and make the burner or elements work harder. Flushing the tank once a year and checking the anode rod every few years help a heater reach the long end of that range.

Do you install tankless water heaters?

No. We don't install or replace tankless (on-demand) water heaters. We do diagnostics, repairs and maintenance on them. We install standard gas and electric tank heaters up to 50 gallons. We don't install heaters over 50 gallons or heat pump water heaters, and we don't service oil-fired units.

How fast can you replace a water heater?

We respond immediately to calls and online inquiries. Same-day appointments may be available, subject to technician availability and scheduling. Most standard tank swaps are finished the same visit, as long as the new one fits the existing space, venting and connections.

Why is my water heater making popping noises?

Popping or rumbling usually means sediment. Minerals in the water settle on the bottom of the tank, water gets trapped under that layer and boils as the burner heats it. Flushing the tank often quiets it down. If the noise stays after a flush, or the tank also leaks or rusts, the heater may be near the end of its life.

Where we do water heater repair & installs

Based in Somerset, working across Central New Jersey.

Service area

908-873-6686 All services

Plumbing guides

Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them: 10 Quick Fixes

A clogged drain, a running toilet, low water pressure or no hot water? Here's the first thing to try for the 10 most common household plumbing problems, and when to call a plumber.

Read more

How to Flush a Water Heater: Risks and When to Call

Flushing a tank water heater can clear sediment, but it involves scalding water, an aging drain valve and the heater's gas or electric supply. What to check, what can go wrong and when to call a plumber.

Read more

How to Turn Up (or Down) Your Water Heater Temperature

NJ Plumbing Code and Permits: What Homeowners Need to Know

No Hot Water? 6 Safe Things to Check Before You Call

Plumbing Repairs You Shouldn't DIY (and the Ones You Can)

All plumbing guides
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Leaking pipe? Call 908-873-6686