Your water heater is working fine — until it isn’t. And when something goes wrong with your hot water supply, it affects everything from your morning routine to your ability to run the dishwasher. The good news is that not every water heater problem means you need a full replacement. Many common issues can be repaired quickly and at a fraction of the cost of a new unit — if you call a plumber who knows what to look for.
SOS Plumbing provides water heater repair throughout Myrtle Beach, Conway, and all of Horry County. Here are the most common water heater problems we diagnose and repair — and what they typically mean for your unit.
No Hot Water at All
Complete loss of hot water is alarming but often fixable. For gas water heaters, the pilot light may have gone out — check whether it’s lit and follow the relight instructions on the unit. If the pilot won’t stay lit, the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may have failed and needs replacement. For electric units, the problem is often a tripped circuit breaker or a burned-out heating element — both of which can be repaired without replacing the heater.
Not Enough Hot Water
If you’re getting some hot water but running out faster than normal, the most common culprits are a failing lower heating element (electric units), sediment buildup insulating the burner from the water, or a thermostat set too low. We diagnose which factor is at play and repair accordingly. If the unit is aging and the demand has genuinely outgrown its capacity, we’ll give you an honest assessment of whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Water That’s Too Hot
Scalding hot water or temperature that fluctuates wildly often points to a faulty thermostat. The thermostat controls how the unit responds to temperature changes in the stored water — when it fails, it can cause the heater to run continuously, driving water temperature dangerously high. This is a repair we handle quickly and safely.
Discolored or Smelly Hot Water
Rusty or brown hot water typically means the inside of your tank is corroding — the anode rod (a sacrificial metal rod designed to attract corrosion away from the tank walls) may have been depleted. Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of your tank significantly if caught early. A sulfur or rotten egg smell in hot water is typically caused by bacteria reacting with a failing anode rod — we flush the tank and replace the rod to eliminate this.
Rumbling, Popping, or Knocking Sounds
These noises indicate sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. As water heats through the sediment layer, it creates those unsettling sounds. Flushing the tank removes the sediment and restores efficiency. If buildup is severe, it may have already damaged the tank lining — we assess during the service call and give you a straight answer on the unit’s remaining viable life.
Leaks Around the Tank or Connections
Small leaks from the pressure relief valve, inlet/outlet connections, or pipe fittings can often be repaired by tightening or replacing the affected component. A leak from the tank itself, however, signals internal corrosion and means the unit needs replacement. We’ll tell you which situation you’re in before recommending anything.
Repair or Replace? We’ll Give You a Straight Answer.
Not every water heater problem warrants a new unit. We assess your heater’s age, condition, repair history, and the current problem — then give you an honest recommendation. If repair makes more sense, we say so. If the unit is aging and the repair cost doesn’t justify the remaining lifespan, we’ll tell you that too and walk you through replacement options.
SOS Plumbing serves Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, and all of Horry County. Call us or visit sosplumbingsc.com to schedule water heater repair today.