A Herndon water heater that stops heating, leaks at a fitting or starts popping usually needs one part or a flush, and a plumber can tell you on the first visit whether repair makes sense. If the tank wall has failed, replacement is the answer. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Herndon.
Local conditions in Herndon
Inside town limits, the Town of Herndon runs its own water and sewer utility and buys finished water from Fairfax Water, mostly from the Corbalis plant on the Potomac River. Fairfax Water's tests for that plant show total hardness of about 70 to 185 mg/L, averaging around 128 mg/L or roughly 7.5 grains per gallon. That is moderately hard, so tanks collect sediment and electric elements build scale over the years. Herndon mailing addresses also reach into unincorporated Fairfax County, where Fairfax Water serves most homes directly.
Gas is a detail worth getting right here. Columbia Gas of Virginia serves the Town of Herndon, while some Herndon-addressed areas outside the town are on Washington Gas, so the utility named on your gas bill decides who to call. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and either Columbia Gas of Virginia at 1-800-544-5606 or Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
Permits split along the same line. The Town's Building Inspections office issues building permits and separate Plumbing/Gas trade permits for work inside town limits, while properties outside the town fall under Fairfax County Land Development Services. The median Herndon home dates to 1983, so many houses are on a second or third heater.
Repair or replace
| Situation | Usually | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Failed element, thermostat or igniter on a sound tank | Repair | Routine parts with plenty of tank life left |
| Relief valve dripping | Repair and check pressure | Could be a worn valve or high pressure |
| Sediment with reduced capacity | Flush, then decide | Capacity often returns |
| Leaking tank body | Replace | The tank cannot be sealed |
| Repeated failures on an older unit | Replace | More repairs buy little time |
Signs to watch
- Shorter showers before the water cools
- Rumbling as the burner fires
- Rusty or cloudy hot water
- Water around the base
Seasonal notes
Winter puts the most strain on a heater because incoming water is colder. Fall is a good time to have the burner, anode and relief valve checked. Fairfax Water's seasonal switch to free chlorine, generally April through June, can change how the water smells for a while; that is not a heater problem.
Water Heater Repair questions in Herndon
How do I know which gas company to call?
Does water heater work here need a permit?
How hard is the water here, and does it affect the heater?
Does my water heater need an expansion tank?
More plumbing services in Herndon
Water Heater Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Town of Herndon water and sewer
- Town of Herndon water quality report
- Town of Herndon Building Inspections: how to apply for a permit
- Town of Herndon hazard mitigation annex (utilities)
- Herndon housing by year built (city-stats.com)
- Fairfax Water: Corbalis plant finished water analyses
- Fairfax Water: water quality
- Columbia Gas of Virginia: gas safety
- Washington Gas: safety and emergency leak line
Last updated: