Based in Leesburg, VA
4.6 from 282 Google reviewsWater Heater Repair in McLean, VA
Water heater repair in McLean, VA for homes with big hot water demand, multiple heaters and recirculation systems.
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Hot Water Service for McLean Homes of Every Size
Brick Street Plumbing Heat & Air handles water heater repair in McLean, VA at any hour, and nights and weekends are billed at the same rate as weekdays. Our licensed plumbers repair standard gas and electric tanks, high-efficiency power-vent and condensing units, tankless heaters, and the recirculation pumps that bring hot water to distant bathrooms quickly. If the water is cold, slow to arrive, rusty, smelly, or leaking around the heater, call us. We find the cause, fix it, and tell you honestly if the heater is near the end of its useful life.
McLean's homes range from modest mid-century houses with a single tank in the basement to large properties with two or more heaters, long pipe runs and soaking tubs that drain a tank fast. Those bigger setups have more parts that can fail, and a problem in one place can show up somewhere else, such as a recirculation pump that quietly stops and makes the far wing wait for hot water. Our plumber in McLean, VA team works on simple and complex systems alike.
Water Heater Setups We Repair
McLean homes use a wide variety of equipment. Here is what we service and what typically fails.
Standard gas and electric tanks
Elements, thermostats, thermocouples, gas controls, relief valves and anode rods. The bread and butter of water heater work.
Power-vent and condensing heaters
These have fans, pressure switches and condensate drains. A blocked vent or failed inducer will keep them from firing.
Tankless units
Scale, ignition faults and flow sensor errors are the usual issues. Descaling is often part of the fix.
Hot water recirculation
When hot water suddenly takes ages to reach a far bathroom, the pump, timer or check valve has often failed.
Two or more heaters
Large homes sometimes split the load. If one unit fails, the other can be overwhelmed, and the symptoms can be confusing. We test both.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
When to Call Instead of Waiting
Some problems can wait for a convenient appointment. A slight drop in hot water capacity or a faint rumble during heating is worth scheduling, but not an emergency.
Other signs mean you should call right away. Water spreading from the base of the tank, a relief valve that is discharging steadily, scorch marks near the burner, or a gas smell all need attention now. For a gas smell, leave the house first and call the gas provider's emergency line, then call us.
If the tank itself has rusted through, repair is no longer an option. Our water heater replacement team can size a new unit for the household, which matters in homes with large tubs or many bathrooms.
Straight from Google
From Customers We Have Helped
4.6282 verified Google reviews
Fantastic service - bought a home with a very old hot water heater, and Brick Street’s quote came out to be substantially less than the other plumbers I spoke with. No compromise on service for the price, though - Mary was incredibly responsive and friendly when it came to scheduling a time to install the new water heater, and Tylerr did an outstanding job getting the water heater set up and running. Overall very easy to work with, reasonably priced, and professional!
Alex Lafrance⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Service – Highly Recommend Brick Street Plumbing Water Heaters I recently had my entire HVAC system replaced after my old unit had been in my home for over 20 years. I requested an estimate through Home Depot, and they referred me to Brick Street Plumbing. Water Heaters, From beginning to end, my experience was excellent! Brian came to my home, carefully explained the different options available, and walked me through the entire installation process. He was very professional, knowledgeable, patient, and always available to answer my questions. Communication with Brian was outstanding throughout the entire project. One of the best parts of the installation was that they were able to relocate my water heater into an unused space in my basement. This made the entire HVAC area much more spacious, organized, and accessible. I am extremely happy with how everything turned out! I also want to recognize Austin, Gmo, and Dani for their excellent work. They were professional, hardworking, respectful of my home, and paid great attention to detail. The entire team did an amazing job! Replacing an HVAC system is a major investment, but Brick Street made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. I am extremely satisfied with the quality of their work, professionalism, and customer service. I highly recommend Brick Street to anyone looking for a reliable company for HVAC installation or replacement.
Jose CamposThey did an outstanding job replacing my gas water heater with an electric one, including all the conversions.
Whiting WickerI couldn’t be happier with my experience with Brickstreet Plumbing and their installation of my new HVAC systems. From start to finish, the entire team demonstrated an outstanding level of professionalism, knowledge, and care. The quality of their work and the way they treated my home exceeded my expectations. Brian truly goes above and beyond to make sure everything is done right and that his customers are completely satisfied. He takes pride in his work and leads a team that reflects the same high standards. I especially want to recognize Marlon, Austin, and Dani. They were absolutely fantastic! All three showed incredible professionalism, respect, and dedication throughout the job. They were meticulous with every detail, took the time to make sure everything was properly installed, and maintained a clean and organized work area. They treated my home with care and respect, which meant a great deal to me. Their attention to detail, work ethic, and commitment to doing things the right way truly stood out. You can tell they take pride in their work and genuinely care about the quality of the results. I would recommend Brickstreet Plumbing to everyone without hesitation. I will absolutely hire them for future projects. After experiencing this level of service, professionalism, and trust, I honestly cannot imagine going with another company. Thank you, Brian, Marlon, Austin, and Dani, for doing such an outstanding job! You have earned my trust and appreciation, and I highly recommend your team to anyone looking for exceptional plumbing and HVAC services.
Aman SethiUpdate 10/2/2026 The manager got in touch with us and promptly sent out a service technician that was able to quickly diagnose and troubleshoot the issue with our thermostat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We got our AC replaced by Brick Street through Home Depot. After a week our AC wasn't working so we had to put in a service call. They came out and fixed it. Then our heating wasn't working and we put in a service call to have a tech come out to and troubleshoot but their HVAC department has been non responsive via email or voice mail. We are not able to get in contact with them at all. Will not be doing business with this company again. Very poor customer service.
Hai NguyenGreat service and installation by Tyler!
Adrian CalameVery very pleasant and professional and explained everything...
Mary CarterLONGER HEATER LIFE
Keeping a McLean Water Heater Healthy
Most heaters fail early for the same few reasons: scale from hard water, a worn-out anode rod, and pressure that runs too high. Each one can be managed.
Flushing a tank heater once a year removes sediment before it hardens. Checking the anode rod every few years, and replacing it when it is mostly eaten away, protects the steel tank. An expansion tank keeps pressure spikes from stressing the heater and relief valve. On tankless units, a periodic descaling does the same job.
We can handle any of these during a visit, along with the rest of your plumbing, and note anything else worth watching.
Hot Water Trouble in McLean?
Licensed plumbers on call 24/7.
Call (240) 969-4911, read more about water heater repair, or check our service area.
Frequently asked questions
Why does hot water take so long to reach my upstairs bathroom in McLean?
In a large home, the distance between the heater and the farthest fixture can be long, and the cooled water in the pipe has to run out before hot water arrives. If you have a recirculation system and the wait suddenly got longer, the pump, timer or check valve has probably failed. If you do not have one, adding a recirculation pump is often a good fix. A plumber can check which applies.
Can my water heater handle a large soaking tub?
It depends on the tank size, the heater's recovery rate and the tub's capacity. A big tub can use most of a standard tank in one fill, leaving little for anyone else. If you are running out regularly, options include a larger tank, a second heater, or a tankless unit sized for the flow you need. We look at how the household actually uses hot water before suggesting a change.
What does a plumber check when a power-vent water heater will not start?
We start with the vent fan, pressure switch and venting, since a blocked or disconnected vent pipe will stop the heater from firing for safety. Then we test the igniter or pilot assembly, the gas control and the electrical supply to the fan. Error lights or codes on the unit help narrow it down. Power-vent heaters also need electricity, so a tripped breaker or unplugged cord is worth checking first.
Is it worth fixing an older water heater in a McLean home?
If the problem is a part and the tank is not leaking, repair is usually worth it, even on an older unit. If the tank is leaking, heavily corroded or close to the end of its typical lifespan, replacement is often the better use of money. We explain both options and the condition of the heater so you can decide. Permits are usually required for water heater replacement, and we check what applies.
Do you work on other plumbing in McLean besides water heaters?
Yes. Our plumbers handle leaks, drain clogs, faucets, toilets, garbage disposals, sump pumps and sewer lines, including trenchless repair. We also install water softeners and whole-house filtration. Because our technicians are licensed in both plumbing and HVAC, the same call can cover a heating or cooling issue too. We are available 24/7 and rated 4.6 stars across 282 Google reviews.
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