Water Heater Repair in Lexington, NE
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Cold winters mean longer recovery times
Water coming into your tank is cold for eight months of the year, October through May. On nights that average 16°F, the incoming water is colder still, so the heating element or burner has to run longer to bring a full tank up to temperature and keep it there. That extra runtime is what wears down heating elements, burners, and the thermostats that control them.
Power outages add to this. A quarter of Nebraska households went at least 24 hours without power in 2024, and Dawson County has seen 17 winter storms and 121 damaging wind events over the past ten years. Most electric water heaters come back on by themselves once power is restored. If yours has a standing pilot, it will need to be relit by hand. If your water is taking longer to heat or isn't getting as hot as it used to, that is usually where to start looking.
- 16°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 25%
- of Nebraska households lost power for a day or more in 2024, and a heater with an electric element or electric ignition stops without it
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A new water heater would cut about $200 a year off hot water for a typical Nebraska home.
Estimates for a typical Nebraska home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Nebraska fuel prices. Your home will differ.
Repair makes sense when an element, thermostat or gas valve has failed.
Replacement makes sense when the tank itself is leaking.
- Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?
- The most common cause is the tank itself has rusted through from the inside and is failing. Sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank over years, and once it corrodes the steel, water finds a way out and there is no patching it. It could also be a loose drain valve or a fitting that has failed, both of which a contractor can check before assuming the tank is done. If the leak is coming from the tank body itself, the water heater needs to be replaced, not repaired.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- Usually the thermocouple has worn out and can no longer sense that the pilot is burning, so the gas valve shuts it off as a safety measure. A weak or dirty pilot flame, a draft in the area, or a clogged pilot tube can also cause this. A contractor can test the thermocouple and replace it if that is the issue. A standing pilot runs on its own and does not draw power, so a power outage is not the cause here.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater are repairable. Common issues include a buildup of mineral scale on the heat exchanger, a failed igniter, or an error code pointing to a sensor or flow problem. A contractor can flush the unit, replace the failed part, or clear the fault depending on what is wrong. Whether repair makes sense over replacement depends on the age of the unit and what is failing, which is something a contractor can assess in person.