Electric hot water tank repair
No hot water, lukewarm water, a breaker that keeps tripping: on an electric tank, it's often a single part that gave out. If the tank itself is still sound, we repair it, 24/7, in Montreal, in Laval, on the North Shore and on the South Shore.
- Arrival
- On site in about 4 hours
- Service
- Open 24/7
- Price
- From a photo, in under an hour
Sometimes it's just an element.
Quick quote
Tell us the symptom
Every failure has its part. Describe what's happening and we get back to you with a price within the hour.
- An element, a thermostat or an anode, most of the time.
- A photo of the rating plate helps a lot.
- If it leaks at the base, it's a replacement.
The most common breakdowns
An electric hot water tank is a steel tank, two elements, two thermostats and an anode rod. Nearly every breakdown starts with one of those parts.
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PartUpper element
The upper element
The upper thermostat powers it until the top of the tank is hot, then hands the power over to the lower element. If it burns out, the handover never happens: no hot water at all, or next to none. We replace the upper element on site.
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PartLower element
The lower element
It heats most of the tank. When it fails, the top still heats: you get a few minutes of hot water, then lukewarm. Sediment piling up at the bottom wears it out faster. We replace the lower element on site.
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PartThermostats
The thermostats and the high-limit switch
Each element has its own thermostat. The upper one also carries the high-limit switch, the red button that cuts everything when the water gets too hot. A thermostat that sticks leaves the water cold, or overheats it until the high-limit trips. We test them and replace them as needed.
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PartAnode rod
The anode rod
A metal rod screwed into the top of the tank that wears away so the steel doesn't. Once it's spent, the tank starts to rust and the hot side runs brown. And when bacteria in the water react with it, you get the rotten-egg smell. We replace it while the tank is still sound.
Repair or replace?
It depends on where the problem comes from, and on the tank's age.
It can be repaired
An element, a thermostat, the high-limit switch or the anode rod: these parts get swapped and the tank keeps going. A leak at the drain valve, the relief valve or a fitting is often fixed by replacing the leaking part.
It needs replacing
A tank that leaks through the bottom or the side can't be repaired: once the steel is through, it gets replaced, and we do that the same day. See electric hot water tank replacement.
What about the tank's age?
The year it was made is on the rating plate, and several insurers ask for a replacement past a certain age, even if the tank still works. Before repairing an old one, read hot water tanks and home insurance in Quebec and how long a hot water tank lasts.
A repair price from a photo
For a repair too, photos are often enough for a price. Send the rating plate up close: it shows the element wattage, the voltage and the year the tank was made. Add the whole tank.
Describe the symptom in a sentence: no hot water at all, lukewarm after a few minutes, a breaker that trips, water at the base of the tank. Each one points to a different part. Your price comes back in under an hour, from the quote page or over the phone.
Before you call: three checks
Three things to look at, in this order. They sometimes solve the problem, and otherwise they tell us where to look.
The breaker
At the electrical panel, find the hot water tank's double breaker. If it has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call: it's often an element that has shorted out.
A recent power outage
After an outage, the tank restarts with cooled water and takes a few hours to heat it all back up. A power surge can also trip the high-limit switch.
The reset button
The high-limit switch, a red button hidden under the upper cover, cuts everything when the water gets too hot. If it has tripped, something tripped it: usually a sticking thermostat or a shorted element. You can reset it once, as Giant's manual describes: turn the breaker off first, because there's 240 volts right beside it, then put the insulation and cover back before turning the power on. If it trips again, if there's water or rust under the cover, or if you smell burning, leave it alone and wait for us: the part behind it has to be found. The no hot water guide covers the other causes.
Hot water tank repair: questions
Why do I have no hot water at all?
On an electric hot water tank, the usual causes are a tripped breaker, the high-limit switch cutting out, or a burnt-out upper element or upper thermostat. Check the breaker before anything else, then call M. Chauffe-Eau GL, 24/7.
My hot water turns lukewarm after a few minutes. What's going on?
That's the classic sign of a burnt-out lower element or lower thermostat: the top of the tank still heats, the bottom stopped. The tank itself is often still sound, and the part can be replaced.
Can a hot water tank leaking from the bottom be repaired?
It depends where the water comes from. A leak at the drain valve or a fitting can often be repaired; a tank with a hole in it gets replaced. Meanwhile, switch off the breaker and close the cold water. The leaking hot water tank guide explains how to find the source.
Do you repair brands other than Giant?
M. Chauffe-Eau GL repairs electric hot water tanks. Yes: besides Giant, we repair Rheem and Bradford White.
How much does a hot water tank repair cost?
It depends on the part involved and on the condition of the tank. Send a photo of the rating plate and describe the symptom: your price comes back in under an hour.
Hot water tank acting up? Call M. Chauffe-Eau GL
Repairs 24/7, in Montreal, in Laval, on the North Shore and on the South Shore.