Water heater repair cost
Expansion tanks, temperature settings, drain pans, relief valve pipes and other fixes around the water heater.
Most water heater findings aren't about the heater itself. They're about the parts around it: the expansion tank, the relief valve and its pipe, the drain pan, the temperature setting, and the space around the exhaust vent. Each is a small job.
If the heater is old or the tank is leaking, see water heater replacement.
What our reports priced these at
| Work | Most homes | Middle price | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure the expansion tank | About $150 | $150 | The 23% of homes where it was priced |
| Install an expansion tank | About $250 | $250 | The 11% of homes where it was priced |
| Clear things that can burn away from the flue | About $150 | $150 | The 7% of homes where it was priced |
| Install a drain pan | $180 to $220 | $210 | Limited number of homes |
| Adjust the temperature setting | $150 to $200 | $150 | Limited number of homes |
| Add a pipe to the relief (TPR) valve | $140 to $150 | $150 | Limited number of homes |
| Install a strain relief clamp on the wiring | $140 to $150 | $150 | Limited number of homes |
| Fix exhaust vent clearance | $150 to $220 | $180 | Limited number of homes |
What HomeCloud reports priced this fix at in homes we evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026. The range is the middle half of homes; the middle price is the median. Your price comes from a written estimate for your home. The drain pan row also counts pans under washing machines.
What affects the price
- How many fixes at once
- Several small fixes around the heater cost less done in one visit than as separate trips.
- Gas or electric
- Gas heaters have a burner, a pilot or igniter, and an exhaust vent to check. Electric heaters have heating elements and wiring.
- Where it sits
- An attic, closet or crawl space is harder to work in than a garage or basement.
- Repair or replace
- When a fix costs a good share of a new heater, or the heater is already old, replacing it may be the better spend.
What the parts around a water heater do
An expansion tank is a small tank on the cold water line. It gives water room to expand as it heats, so pressure doesn't build up in the plumbing.
The temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) is a safety valve that opens if the tank gets too hot or too pressurized. A pipe from the valve should carry that hot water down toward the floor instead of spraying it into the room.
A drain pan sits under the heater and catches water from a leak before it reaches the floor.
Common questions
What temperature should my hot water be?
HomeCloud reports flag hot water that's below 120 degrees or above 140 degrees at the faucet. Water above 140 degrees can cause serious burns in seconds.
How do I flush my water heater?
Most tank heaters should be flushed about once a year to clear sediment. See the steps in how to find and use your water shutoff.
More plumbing resources
Other plumbing repairs
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