An Accokeek water heater that has stopped heating or started leaking usually needs a part replaced or the tank flushed, whether it runs on electricity, natural gas or propane. A tank leaking through its shell is past repair and has to be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Accokeek.
Local conditions in Accokeek
Accokeek is a former tobacco-farming area on the Potomac that is now mostly suburban, with a rural fringe. West of Route 210, the Moyaone Reserve has individually designed mid-century homes on wooded lots of five acres or more. Housing overall is fairly new for the region, with a median year built of 1997, so many heaters are first or second replacements.
Utility service varies by address here. WSSC Water is the public water and sewer utility for Prince George's County, but not every Accokeek property is necessarily connected, so check your bill. If your home has its own well, sediment and minerals in the water can collect in the tank faster, which makes flushing more important. Gas service also varies: natural gas mains do not reach every street, and many homes run electric or propane water heaters.
One rule applies to all of them. WSSC issues permits for and inspects all natural gas and LP gas installations in the county, so propane water heaters need a WSSC permit and a gasfitter with the proper license, just like natural gas units. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and your gas utility or, for propane, your propane supplier from outside.
Repair or replace
| Problem | Repair makes sense when | Replace when |
|---|---|---|
| No heat | One element, thermostat or igniter has failed | Several parts are failing on an old tank |
| Leak | It is at a fitting, drain valve or relief valve | It comes from the tank body |
| Noise | A flush clears loose sediment | Scale has hardened and the tank is near the end |
| Propane burner trouble | A thermocouple or pilot part is worn | The gas control and burner are both failing |
Signs to act on
- No hot water or very short supply
- Water under or around the tank
- Discolored hot water or a sulfur smell
- A propane or gas pilot that keeps going out
Seasonal notes
Winter puts the most strain on a heater because the incoming water is colder. Homes at the end of long driveways benefit from catching problems early, before a minor drip turns into a cold house on a January weekend.
Water Heater Repair questions in Accokeek
What if my water heater runs on propane?
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
Who do I call if the problem is the water supply, not the heater?
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
More plumbing services in Accokeek
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