We Want to Tame Your Troublesome Water Heater

Only Water Heater Solutions We Would Offer Our Own Mom

Your hot water system is acting up—leaking, not heating, or acting unpredictably. It’s messing with your home life and we want to be the ones to put it right.

Whether you need hot water tank repair, tankless hot water repair, or a full system replacement, we’ve done thousands of them. We’ve diagnosed every hot water problem you can imagine. Whatever’s wrong with yours, we’ll find it and fix it.

Call (707) 200-8350 and we’ll diagnose, give you options, and get your hot water back faster than Justin Timberlake brought sexy back.

What to Do Right Now

If your water heater is acting up like my 7-year-old, here’s what to do while you wait for us:

• Active leaking? Shut off the cold water supply valve on top of the heater.
• Tank leaking from the body? Stop using it—tank leaks get worse and can cause water damage.
• Smell gas? Leave the area immediately and call your gas utility.
• Water near electrical components? Stay clear and call us.

The Hot Water Tank Repair Jobs We Do Every Week

Most water heaters repair jobs come down to a handful of common failures. Our trucks are always stocked with these so we can get your fix done in a jiffy like Jiffy Pop on the stove.

• Thermocouple replacement — The #1 reason pilot lights won’t stay lit.
• Gas valve replacement — When the thermocouple isn’t the problem, the gas valve often is.
• Heating element replacement — Electric water heaters. Upper element, lower element, sometimes both.
• Thermostat replacement — When temperature swings wildly or won’t reach the set point.
• Anode rod replacement — The sacrificial rod that protects your tank. Should be checked annually.
• Dip tube replacement — When you get lukewarm water even with a full tank.
• T&P valve replacement — The safety valve that may leak or fail to operate.

Call (707) 200-8350 or see 24/7 emergency plumbing for urgent situations.

Maintenance That Prevents Repairs

• Sediment flush — Removes buildup that reduces efficiency and shortens tank life.
• Descaling — Essential for tankless units, especially with hard water.
• Combustion check — Verifies gas units are burning clean and venting properly.

A $150 maintenance visit can prevent a $1,500 replacement. We’ll tell you honestly what your water heater needs—and what it doesn’t.

Hot Water Tank Repair Service (Gas & Electric)

Traditional water heaters are the workhorses of most homes. We handle hot water heater repair and replacement for all major brands.

Common issues we fix:

• No hot water or inconsistent temperature
• Temperature swings mid-shower
• Pilot or ignition failures
• Pressure relief valve problems
• Thermostat and heating element failures
• Leaks at fittings, valves, and connections
• Sediment buildup reducing performance
• Strange noises (popping, rumbling, whining)

Brands we install: Rheem, Bradford White, A.O. Smith, State, and others. We’ll help you choose based on your priorities—not ours.

Tankless Hot Water Repair & Installation

Tankless water heaters offer endless hot water and better energy efficiency—when they’re working right.

Common tankless issues:

• Error codes and intermittent shutdowns
• Flow and temperature inconsistency
• Mineral scaling (descaling service)
• Ignition and venting problems
• Component failures

Thinking about going tankless? We’ll tell you honestly what upgrades are required (gas line sizing, venting, electrical) before you commit. Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes a high-efficiency tank is the better call.

Brands we install: Navien, Rinnai, Noritz, Rheem.

Electric Hot Water Tank Repair and Heat Pumps

We handle all electric hot water tank repair, including heat pump water heaters. Heat pumps offer the best energy efficiency—2-3x more efficient than standard electric. They pull heat from the air instead of generating it directly.

Good fit if:

• You have space (they need airflow)
• Your water heater is in a garage, basement, or utility room
• You want to reduce energy bills significantly
• You’re eligible for rebates (often $500-$1,000+)

Not ideal if:

• Your water heater is in a tight closet
• You need the fastest recovery time
• Upfront cost is the primary concern

Solar Water Heaters

We service and install solar water heating systems. In the North Bay’s climate, solar can provide 50-80% of your hot water needs.

Solar systems require more maintenance than conventional heaters, but the energy savings can be substantial over time.

Our Process

1. We ask questions first — So we arrive with the right parts and tools.
2. We inspect and test — Pinpointing the actual failure, not guessing.
3. We explain what we found — In plain language, not plumber-speak.
4. We give you options and pricing — Before we do any work.
5. We do the repair cleanly — Drop cloths, shoe covers, respect for your home.
6. We test before we leave — Verifying the fix actually worked.

No surprises. No upselling. Just honest diagnosis and quality repair.

Safety Checks Included

Every water heater service call includes:

• Gas leak testing — Verifying all connections are safe
• CO testing (gas units) — Checking combustion and venting
• T&P valve check — Ensuring the safety valve operates
• Seismic strap inspection — California requires them; we check them

These aren’t upsells. They’re part of doing the job right.

We’ll Repair When It’s Smart

A thermocouple on a 5-year-old unit? Easy repair. A leaking fitting on an otherwise healthy tank? Worth fixing.

Repair usually makes sense when:

• The unit is under 8 years old
• The repair cost is under 50% of replacement
• The leak is at fittings or valves (not the tank body)
• It’s the first major issue
• The unit still performs well otherwise

Water Heater Replacement Only When Prudent

We don’t push water heater replacements. But we’ll tell you when a repair is throwing good money after bad.

Replacement usually makes sense when:

• The tank itself is leaking (that’s not repairable)
• The unit is 10-12+ years old
• You’ve had multiple repairs recently
• Corrosion or water damage makes repair unreliable
• Efficiency is so poor you’re paying for it monthly

If you’re comparing options: Water heater comparisons guide

What Affects Pricing

We give upfront pricing before any work begins. Here’s what affects the quote:

• Type of repair — Thermocouple vs. gas valve vs. full replacement
• System type — Tank repairs are usually simpler than tankless
• Access — Tight closets take longer than open garages
• Code upgrades — Older installations may need updates (expansion tank, proper venting)
• Permits — Required for new installations and some replacements

Typical timeframes:

• Simple repair: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Tank replacement: 2-4 hours
• Tankless installation: 4-8 hours (more if upgrades needed)

Warranties

Manufacturer warranty: Most tanks carry 6-12 year warranties. Tankless units often 10-15 years. Professional installation is usually required to keep the warranty valid.

Our labor warranty: We stand behind our work. If something we installed or repaired fails, we’ll make it right.

What voids warranties: DIY modifications, lack of maintenance, improper installation. We document everything so your warranty stays protected.

Why Homeowners Choose GoFlow

• Upfront pricing — You know the cost before we start
• We carry common parts — Simple repairs don’t drag out
• Clean work — Drop cloths, shoe covers, respect for your home
• We fix the root cause — Not just the symptom
• Honest recommendations — We’ll tell you when repair makes more sense than replacement
• Work that lasts — We do it right the first time

Want to know what to watch out for with other plumbers? Plumber red flags

Where We Serve

We provide hot water tank repair service throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties.

City-specific water heater service and replacement pages:

• San Rafael
• Santa Rosa
• Novato
• Petaluma

Region pages:

• Sonoma County plumbing
• Marin County plumbing

How long do water heaters last?

Tank water heaters typically last 8-12 years. Tankless units can last 15-20 years with proper maintenance. Hard water, lack of maintenance, and heavy use all shorten lifespan.

Should I repair or replace my water heater?

Generally: if it’s under 8 years old and the repair is under 50% of replacement cost, repair makes sense. If the tank itself is leaking, replacement is the only option—tank leaks can’t be repaired.

What’s the difference between tank and tankless?

Traditional water heaters store 40-80 gallons of hot water, ready when you need it. Tankless water heaters heat on demand—endless hot water, but higher upfront cost. We can help you decide which of these types of water heaters fits your household.

How do I know what size water heater I need?

For tanks: 40 gallons for 1-2 people, 50 gallons for 2-3, 80 gallons for 4+. For tankless: sizing is based on flow rate and temperature rise. We’ll calculate it for you.

What maintenance does a water heater need?

Annual sediment flush, anode rod inspection every 2-3 years, and T&P valve testing. Tankless units need descaling every 1-2 years, especially with hard water.

How long does water heater installation take?

Tank replacement: 2-4 hours. Tankless installation: 4-8 hours, longer if gas line or electrical upgrades are needed.