Based in Leesburg, VA

Water Heater Repair in Sterling, VA

Water heater repair in Sterling, VA for cold showers, leaking tanks and noisy heaters, handled by licensed plumbers around the clock.

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Plumbers Sterling Calls When the Hot Water Quits

If you are searching for water heater repair Sterling, VA residents trust, Brick Street Plumbing Heat & Air sends licensed plumbers 24/7 and charges no overtime fees for nights, weekends or holidays. Most calls fall into three groups: no hot water, not enough hot water, or water where it should not be. Each has a short list of likely causes, and our plumbers test them in order so the repair targets the failed part instead of replacing things until the problem goes away.

Sterling's neighborhoods, from the older sections near Route 7 to communities closer to Dulles, include plenty of homes now on their second or third water heater. Many sit in unfinished basements or garage corners, and a few are tucked into finished spaces where a leak can ruin flooring and drywall in an afternoon. Hard water is common in the region, and mineral buildup inside the tank is behind a lot of the noise and slow recovery we hear about. Find our other local services on the Sterling page.

BEFORE YOU CALL

Three Checks a Sterling Homeowner Can Do in Five Minutes

First, look at the power or gas. On an electric heater, check the breaker panel for a tripped double breaker. On a gas heater, look through the small window near the bottom for the pilot or burner flame, and confirm the gas valve handle lines up with the pipe. Second, look at the base and the pipes on top. A dry floor with damp fittings above points to a connection or valve problem. A puddle with rust streaks from the bottom of the tank points to corrosion. Third, note the age on the label. The serial number often encodes the manufacture date. Write down what you find and share it on the phone. It helps the plumber bring the right parts and gives you a head start on deciding between repair and replacement. One safety note: if you smell gas near a gas water heater, leave the house and call your gas provider from outside before doing anything else.

What Usually Goes Wrong, and the Fix

Common Sterling water heater calls, what is usually behind each one, and how our plumbers handle it.

Cold Water Only

Failed elements or thermostats on electric units, or a bad thermocouple or gas valve on gas units. Typically repaired in one trip.

Hot Water Runs Out Fast

Sediment taking up tank space, a broken dip tube, or a heater too small for the household. We tell you which it is.

Popping and Rumbling

Mineral scale on the tank bottom. A flush helps if caught early. Long term, a water softener cuts the buildup.

Rotten Egg Smell

Usually a reaction between bacteria in the water and the anode rod. Swapping the anode type and flushing the tank often clears it.

Dripping Relief Valve

A worn valve or high system pressure. We test pressure at a nearby fixture and check for a working expansion tank where one is needed.

Leak at the Drain Valve

Plastic drain valves on older tanks can crack or fail to seal after a flush. Replacing the valve stops the drip without touching the tank.

Straight from Google

Recent Water Heater Reviews

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 LafranceJul 2026 · Google

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 CamposOct 2026 · Google

They did an outstanding job replacing my gas water heater with an electric one, including all the conversions.

Whiting WickerOct 2026 · Google

I 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 SethiOct 2026 · Google

Update 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 NguyenOct 2026 · Google

Great service and installation by Tyler!

Adrian CalameAug 2026 · Google

Very very pleasant and professional and explained everything...

Mary CarterJul 2026 · Google

Read all 282 reviews

Get a Sterling Plumber on the Way

Licensed plumbers, every hour, one rate.

Call (240) 969-4911 to reach a licensed plumber, or read about our water heater repair process and the towns in our service area.

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(240) 969-4911

Based in Leesburg, VA.

4.6 from 282 Google reviews

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Frequently asked questions

Why does my water heater smell like rotten eggs in Sterling?

That sulfur smell usually comes from sulfate-reducing bacteria reacting with the magnesium anode rod inside the tank, which releases hydrogen sulfide gas. It is more noticeable on hot water than cold. Flushing the tank and replacing the anode with an aluminum-zinc type often solves it. If the cold water smells too, the source may be the water supply itself, and a filtration system could be the better answer.

Is a dripping temperature and pressure relief valve dangerous?

A dripping relief valve is doing its job or failing at it, and either way it needs attention. The valve opens when tank pressure or temperature gets too high, so a steady drip may mean the thermostat is set too hot or household water pressure is high. It can also mean the valve itself is worn. Never cap or plug the discharge pipe. Have the pressure and temperature tested and the valve replaced if needed.

How often should I flush my water heater?

Once a year is a reasonable schedule for most tank water heaters, and homes with hard water may benefit from flushing more often. Flushing drains the sediment that settles on the bottom of the tank, which reduces rumbling and helps the heater recover faster. If a tank has gone many years without a flush, the drain valve can clog or leak once opened, so older units are sometimes best flushed by a plumber.

Can you switch my water heater from gas to electric?

Yes. Converting fuel types involves more than swapping the tank. Going from gas to electric needs a dedicated circuit of the right size and a capped gas line, and going the other way needs gas piping and proper venting. We look at your panel capacity, the space and the venting before recommending a switch, and we handle the plumbing side of the change.

What size water heater does a typical Sterling family need?

Size depends on how many people shower in the morning rush, how many bathrooms you have, and whether you run a large soaking tub. Many households of three to four use a 40 or 50 gallon tank, while larger families or homes with several bathrooms may need more capacity or a tankless unit. We look at your actual usage, not just the size of the old tank, before recommending a replacement.

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