Call a licensed plumber for most water heater problems, gas or electric. Use an electrician only for a dead circuit or supply wiring, Southwest Gas for a gas smell after you leave the home, the manufacturer or seller for warranty claims, and your landlord if you rent.
When is a plumber the right call?
A plumber is the right call for anything on the water or gas side of the heater. That includes the tank, the cold and hot connections, the relief valve, the gas control and the gas connection on a gas unit.
A. O. Smith's manual says installation and service call for someone equivalent to a licensed tradesman in plumbing, air supply, venting and gas supply, and that if you are not qualified and licensed as required, you should not attempt the procedures in the manual.
That is the reason to hire out a gas heater repair even when the fix looks small. You are working next to a gas line and a flue.
Our page on whether plumbers fix gas leaks explains how the plumber and the gas utility split the work.
When should I call an electrician instead?
Call an electrician when the problem is the power reaching the heater, not the heater. Rheem's electric manual says a separate branch circuit with copper conductors, overcurrent protection and a disconnect "must be provided by a qualified electrician."
That points to an electrician when:
- The breaker will not reset even with the heater's power switched off, or other things on the same circuit are dead.
- The wiring between the panel and the heater is damaged or was never right.
- The heater needs a new or upgraded circuit, for example when swapping to a different type of unit.
A breaker trip can involve the heater, its connections or the circuit; it does not by itself prove which part failed. A plumber who works on electric water heaters can test the elements. See why an electric water heater keeps tripping the breaker and how to test a heating element before you call anyone.
What if I smell gas?
Leave, then call. Southwest Gas says: leave the area immediately Then, from a safe place, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020, day or night. Southwest Gas also says not to turn electric switches or appliance controls on or off, and not to use lighters or matches.
The gas utility can make the situation safe. A plumber fixes the appliance or piping afterward. If a red tag goes on the meter, see what a Southwest Gas red tag means. For the smell itself, house smells like gas or rotten eggs has the details.
Who handles a warranty claim?
Start with the seller or the manufacturer, and have the paperwork ready. A. O. Smith's manual directs warranty questions to the local dealer that sold the heater. Rheem's electric manual says warranty questions go "to the seller from whom it was purchased" and that "Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under the warranty."
To get through quickly:
- 1Find the label on the appliance. Rheem's manual tells you to write the model and serial numbers down from the label.
- 2Photograph the label and keep the receipt or install paperwork.
- 3Check the warranty terms. Rheem's warranty page says a serial number is required to verify coverage and to have it ready when you contact them.
- 4Call the seller or manufacturer, and ask who they authorize to do the repair.
Warranties differ on what they cover, and Rheem's manual says the warranty does not cover damage from operating with an empty or partially empty tank. Read the terms for your unit. For a possible recall, check the model number.
What if I rent or live in an HOA?
If you rent, tell your landlord first. Under A.R.S. 33-1324, an Arizona landlord must "Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances" that the landlord supplies, and must supply "reasonable amounts of hot water at all times," with exceptions when the hot water comes from an installation the tenant controls. Report the problem in writing and keep a copy. Don't hire your own plumber or pay for a repair before you read your lease and get the landlord's answer.
In an HOA, the water heater inside a home is often the owner's job, but the governing documents decide it, so check them if the heater is in a shared space or a condo building.
How do I check a plumber's license?
Search the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) database at roc.az.gov before you agree to work. Arizona law makes it unlawful to act as a contractor without "a contractor's license in good standing" under A.R.S. 32-1151, unless an exemption applies. Look up the company by name or license number, confirm the license is active and check its complaint history. Our page on how to verify a plumber's license walks through the search, and how to choose a plumber covers what else to compare.
Which number do I call for what?
| What is happening | Call first | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Gas smell | 911 and Southwest Gas (from outside) | Licensed plumber to repair |
| Water leaking from the tank | Licensed plumber (shut the water off first) | Manufacturer if under warranty |
| No hot water, gas heater | Licensed plumber | Southwest Gas if the meter is red-tagged |
| No hot water, electric, breaker will not stay on | Licensed plumber or electrician | Electrician if the circuit is the issue |
| Relief valve discharging | Licensed plumber | |
| Heater is new and failed early | Seller or manufacturer | Plumber they approve |
| Rental home | Landlord | Licensed plumber they send |
| Replacement | Licensed plumber | Check the permit rules |
If you want a plumber who is licensed and insured and gives free estimates and upfront pricing before work starts, HQ does that. If it is the middle of the night and the tank is leaking, when to call an emergency plumber helps you decide what can wait.