Here are water heater repair cost estimates for a few common water heater problems:
Clean and repair thermocouple: $395
Replace thermostat and/or heating element: $150–$200
Leaks: Generally not affordable to repair, unless the unit is still under warranty
One of the most common plumbing-related issues in a home or apartment is a hot water heater not doing its job. Sometimes, it’s a matter of a pilot light going out, which homeowners can usually relight themselves by following the manufacturer’s instructions printed on the unit. (An important word of caution: If you smell gas, do not proceed with lighting the pilot on your water heater. Instead, contact your local gas company to isolate and solve whatever the problem may be.)
If the pilot light goes out frequently, it may be necessary to have a professional inspect the thermocouple, a safety device that senses when the pilot light is burning and signals the gas valve to close if the pilot light goes out. Over time, the thermocouple can get dirty and stop working because it sits in the pilot light’s flame at all times. Ben Goheen, owner of Precision Plumbing in Winder, Georgia, says another common problem is a bad (or corroded) thermocouple.
Kenny Lowenthal, owner of Major Appliance Repair in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, says the two most common water heater malfunctions he encounters require replacing either (or sometimes both) a thermostat or a heating element. Most standard electric water heaters have two thermostats and two elements. Lowenthal charges $185 to replace a bad thermostat and $200 to replace the thermostat and heating element.
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