Repair
Water Heater Repair for No Hot Water, Leaks and Ignition Faults
Diagnosis and repair for gas, electric, hybrid and tankless water heaters: no hot water, leaks, pilot or ignition faults, temperature problems, relief valve concerns and error codes.
- CoversGas, electric, hybrid, tankless
- Diagnostic feeMay apply; confirmed at booking
- Urgent leaksEmergency service is subject to availability
Serving the GTA and nearby OntarioScope
Symptoms we diagnose on water heaters
- No hot water: tripped breaker, failed element, thermostat or high-limit, gas supply or ignition fault
- Leaks traced to fittings, relief valve discharge, drain valve, tank seepage or condensation
- Pilot, igniter and flame sensor faults on gas tanks and tankless units
- Water too hot, too cold or fading mid-shower: thermostats, elements, dip tube, mixing issues
- Pressure relief (T&P) valve dripping, discharging or stuck
- Venting problems: blocked or loose vent, power vent fan or pressure switch faults, spillage signs
- Tankless error codes, scale build-up, flow sensor and inlet screen problems
- Gas supply and electrical issues: regulators, line sizing, circuits, wiring and breakers
Process
How a water heater repair visit runs
Every job starts with a conversation and a look at the equipment. You see the options in plain language before anything is booked.
- 1
Safety first
If you smell gas, leave the building and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. For a water leak, shut off the cold supply to the heater and the power, or the gas on gas models. Then call us. Emergency service is subject to availability.
- 2
Symptom review and testing
We ask what happened and when, then test the gas, electrical, venting and water side in turn. Error codes and thermostat settings are read before parts are touched. A diagnostic fee may apply; confirmed at booking.
- 3
Repair or replace, explained
You get the cause, the repair option and, where it applies, the case for replacement. Age, a leaking tank, rust and repeated faults all weigh toward replacing. A quote for the work follows before we proceed.
- 4
Repair and retest
We repair, then retest ignition or elements, venting, relief valve operation and temperature. You get notes on what we found and what to watch for.
In pictures
What this work looks like
Kelvin job photo
Kelvin job photo
Kelvin job photoPhotos from Kelvin Mechanical jobs in the GTA and nearby Ontario.
Good to know
Common causes behind the call
Scale and sediment
Hard water leaves scale on elements and heat exchangers and sediment at the bottom of tanks. It shows up as rumbling, slower recovery and lower output. Flushing or descaling can help, and a softener addresses the cause.
Relief valve and pressure
A dripping T&P valve can mean excess pressure, thermal expansion in a closed system or a worn valve. Never cap it. We find the reason before replacing anything.
Gas and electrical faults
Regulators, gas supply, igniters, elements, thermostats and breakers each have their own tests. Kelvin Mechanical works with licensed and qualified professionals and trade partners, depending on the project scope.
Tankless faults
Error codes point to a cause, not always a part: ignition, venting, flow, overheating or scale. We read the code, check install conditions and service the unit. See tankless water heaters.
Leaking from the tank itself?
A tank that leaks from the shell usually cannot be repaired. Shut off the cold supply and the power or gas, then book a visit so we can confirm whether the leak is a fitting, a valve or the tank.
Ontario notes
Ontario notes for water heater faults
Winter breakdowns hit hardest
A water heater fails when demand is highest, and cold incoming water makes weak units more obvious. Know where your cold supply shutoff and breaker are before something goes wrong. Emergency service is subject to availability, so a quick phone call with the model details helps us plan the visit.
If you smell gas, leave first
Gas appliances run on natural gas from the utility, and Enbridge Gas is the main provider in the GTA. A gas smell means leaving the building and calling your gas utility or 911 from outside. Do not turn on lights or use a phone inside. Call us after the situation is made safe.
Hard water leaves its mark
Across much of Ontario, hard water leaves scale on elements and tankless heat exchangers and sediment at the bottom of tanks. Noise, slow recovery and repeated element failures often trace back to it. A repair fixes the symptom, while water treatment and regular flushing address the cause. See water softener installation.
Rented heaters have their own rules
If your water heater is rented, the rental company may own the equipment and handle repairs, and work by others may breach the agreement. Check your terms before booking. If you own the unit, we can diagnose and repair it and tell you plainly when replacement is the better course.
Equipment we install and service
Brand names and logos belong to their owners. Availability depends on the product line and region.
Help centre
Questions about Water Heater Repair
Why is there no hot water from my gas water heater?
Common causes include a pilot or igniter fault, a flame sensor problem, a gas supply interruption, a tripped safety device or a venting fault. We test in order rather than guess. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility first.
Why is my pressure relief valve leaking?
It may be reacting to high pressure, high temperature or a worn valve. Thermal expansion in a closed plumbing system is one known cause. Do not plug the discharge pipe, and book a visit so the cause is found.
Is it worth repairing an older water heater?
That depends on the fault, the age and the condition of the unit. A failed thermostat or igniter is often worth fixing. A leaking tank or repeated faults point toward replacement, and we explain both options.
Do you repair tankless units and read error codes?
Yes. We read the code, check venting, gas supply, flow and scale, and service the unit. Parts availability depends on the model.
How much does a water heater repair cost?
It depends on the fault, the parts and the access. A diagnostic fee may apply; confirmed at booking. You receive a quote for the repair before work proceeds.
Why is my electric water heater not heating?
Common causes are a tripped breaker, a tripped high-limit switch, a failed upper or lower element or a bad thermostat. Do not open electrical panels or wiring covers yourself. Switch the unit off at the breaker and call us. Electrical work is done by licensed electrical professionals or trade partners, with permits and ESA notification where required.
Why is my hot water only lukewarm or running out quickly?
Possible causes include a failed lower element, a worn dip tube mixing cold water into the tank, heavy sediment, a thermostat set too low or a change in your household's use. On a gas unit, burner or draft problems can also contribute. We test in order and tell you what we find.
Why does my water heater make a rumbling or popping noise?
That sound is usually sediment or scale at the bottom of the tank trapping steam as the water heats. It points to hard water and a tank that has not been flushed. Flushing may help if the build-up is loose, and heavy scale can shorten tank life. See water heater maintenance.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
A sulphur smell in hot water only is often a reaction between bacteria and the anode rod in the tank, and it is more common with some well water supplies. If cold water smells too, the source may be the cause. We look at the anode, the tank condition and your water. See water treatment service.
What should I do if water is leaking from the top of my water heater?
Shut off the cold supply to the heater and the power or gas. Leaks at the top are often at a fitting, a valve or a connection and may be repairable, while a leak from the tank shell cannot be repaired. Book a visit so we can find the source. Emergency service is subject to availability.
Why does my gas water heater keep going out?
Common causes include a weak flame sensor or thermocouple, a draft or venting problem, a gas supply issue or a blocked air intake. We test each rather than guess. If you ever smell gas, leave the building and call your gas utility or 911 from outside before you call us.
What does rust-coloured hot water mean?
If only hot water is rusty, the tank or anode may be corroding, which can be a sign the unit is near the end of its life. If cold water is also rusty, the cause may be older pipes or the supply. We check the tank, the anode and the connections and explain whether repair makes sense.
Where we do this work
Water Heater Repair in Toronto, the GTA and Hamilton
Toronto Mississauga Brampton Vaughan Markham Oakville Burlington Hamilton All service areas
Quote and booking
Request: Water Heater Repair
Share a few details and we will follow up. A written quote comes after a site review. There is no online checkout.
- City and service type help us route your request
- Urgency and property details let us prepare properly
- Optional equipment photos speed up repairs and replacements
Prefer to talk? +1 905-407-7353
Gas smell or carbon monoxide alarm? Leave the building and call 911 first. Do not use this form.