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Water Heater Repair

  • Quick repairs for gas, electric, and tankless units.
  • Honest recommendations: repair first, replace if needed.
  • Local pros serving Twin Cities homeowners fast.

Water Heater Repairs for Minneapolis–St. Paul Homes

Looking for fast, reliable water heater repairs near you? Northern Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® provides trusted repair services for gas, electric, and tankless water heaters in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and nearby areas. When your hot water stops working, our local, licensed plumbers diagnose the problem quickly and fix it right the first time — with honest pricing and no surprises.

Common Reasons You Might Need a Water Heater Repair in the Twin Cities

Sediment Buildup:
Minnesota’s hard water often leads to mineral and sediment deposits collecting at the bottom of tank water heaters. This can cause overheating, rumbling noises, and poor heating performance.

Cold Climate Stress:
Harsh winter temperatures can stress older units and cause expansion and contraction in pipes and connections, leading to leaks or cracked fittings.

Faulty Heating Elements:
Heating elements wear out over time, especially with heavy use during long, cold winters. Malfunctioning thermostats can also cause water to be too cold or dangerously hot.

Corrosion and Rust:
Older tanks, especially those with a failing anode rod, can rust inside. This leads to rusty or discolored water and tank leaks.

Pressure Relief Valve Problems:
Minnesota’s frequent temperature swings can cause extra pressure buildup. If the relief valve fails, it may leak or prevent the tank from working safely.

Loose or Leaking Connections:
Changes in temperature and pipe movement (especially during freeze-thaw cycles) can loosen pipe joints, leading to small leaks around the unit.

Pilot Light or Gas Control Issues:
For gas water heaters, a faulty pilot light or thermocouple can stop the heater from igniting properly — a common wintertime frustration.

Age and Wear:
Many Twin Cities homes have water heaters that are over 10–12 years old — reaching the end of their useful life, when breakdowns become more frequent.

These issues don’t just cause cold water — they can increase your energy bills, cause water damage, or even create safety risks if ignored.

How We Repair Water Heaters — and When It’s Time to Replace

At Northern Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®, we always aim to repair first if it makes sense for your budget and your home. Here’s how we handle it:

How We Repair:

Inspect the entire unit to find the real cause of the problem — no guesswork.

Replace worn parts like heating elements, thermostats, or valves with quality components.

Flush sediment buildup from the tank to restore efficiency and stop overheating.

Fix or replace leaking connections and faulty pressure relief valves.

Test safety features and confirm the unit heats water reliably before we leave.

When It’s Time to Replace:

Sometimes, repair isn’t the smartest option. We’ll recommend a replacement if:

✔️ Your water heater is 10–12 years old and repairs cost more than half the price of a new unit.

✔️ There’s severe rust or tank corrosion — once a tank starts leaking, it can’t be fixed.

✔️ Your unit needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are creeping up.

✔️ You want to switch to a more energy-efficient model, like a tankless or high-efficiency tank heater.

When replacement is the better investment, we’ll explain your options clearly — so you can choose a new system that fits your home, budget, and hot water needs.

Local Water Heater Experts You Can Trust

Keeping your hot water reliable takes more than guesswork — it takes local experience. At Northern Plumbing, every water heater repair or replacement is handled by licensed pros who understand Minnesota winters, hard water, and local plumbing codes inside and out.

We do it right: correct sizing, proper installation, sediment flushing, and full safety checks — so you get dependable hot water and lower energy bills.

Why Twin Cities homeowners trust us:

  • On-time promise — or we pay you for the wait.
  • Clear options & honest pricing — no surprise fees.
  • Respect for your home — we protect your space and clean up.
  • Warranties & satisfaction guarantee — peace of mind built in.

Our Water Heater Services

Water Heater Replacement

When your old unit is beyond repair or costing too much to run, we’ll help you choose a modern, energy-efficient replacement sized perfectly for your family’s needs. We install both traditional tank and high-efficiency tankless water heaters — with honest advice, clear pricing, and careful, code-compliant work.

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Water Heater Maintenance

Regular maintenance helps your water heater last longer and run more efficiently. We flush sediment, check the anode rod, test safety valves, and make sure everything’s working as it should — preventing surprise breakdowns.

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Conventional Water Heaters

Tried and true, conventional water heaters store a set amount of hot water in an insulated tank, ready whenever you need it. They’re simple, reliable, and cost-effective for many Twin Cities households. Our team repairs, maintains, and installs tank units to keep your hot water steady year-round.

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Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water only when you turn on the tap, giving you endless hot water without paying to keep a big tank warm all day. They’re energy-efficient, compact, and perfect for homeowners looking to cut utility bills and free up space. We install and service top tankless brands to match your home’s needs.

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