Licensed & Insured · CA LIC #982663
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Pacifica, San Francisco, Burlingame, CA · Serving the Bay
PACIFICA, CA • LIC #982663 • 24/7
We answer the phone day, night, weekends, and holidays, with same-day service across the Peninsula.
Water heater repair in Palo Alto, CA starts with the symptom, whether that is no hot water, a pilot that will not stay lit, a dripping relief valve, or water around the base. Works Plumbing finds the cause, repairs it, and checks the installation around the heater while we are there.
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That last part is where many problems start. A heater can fail because of what is connected to it, not just what is inside it.
No hot water today? Schedule water heater repair with Works Plumbing.
If you smell gas, leave the area and contact the City of Palo Alto Utilities or 911 from a safe distance before calling us.
| Problem | Likely cause | Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot will not stay lit | Faulty thermocouple or flame sensor | Replace and test the part |
| No heat at all | Failed gas valve, igniter, or element | Diagnose and replace the failed component |
| Relief valve dripping | High pressure or a worn valve | Check pressure and expansion, then replace the valve if needed |
| Not enough hot water | Sediment, a broken dip tube, or a thermostat issue | Flush, replace the dip tube, or adjust and test |
| Rumbling or popping | Sediment on the tank bottom | Flush the tank |
| Leak at fittings | Loose or corroded connections | Remake or replace the fittings |
| Leak from the tank body | Internal corrosion | Replacement is usually needed |
The City of Palo Alto Utilities’ 2025 water quality report lists hardness from 8.1 to 112 ppm, averaging 62 ppm. That is moderate, but minerals still settle in a tank over the years. Sediment on the bottom of a gas heater can cause rumbling and reduce how much hot water you get.
Flushing removes loose sediment. We check the drain valve first, because an old valve can fail to close after a flush.
Palo Alto’s gas comes from the City of Palo Alto Utilities, which has operated the local gas distribution system since 1917. The meter belongs to the City; the piping from the meter to your water heater is yours.
If a repair needs the gas supply shut off at the meter or the meter turned back on, that goes through the City. For gas piping problems beyond the heater, see our gas line repair service in Palo Alto.
Not every Palo Alto home has a gas heater. Electric tank heaters fail in their own ways, usually through a burned-out heating element, a failed thermostat, or a tripped high-limit switch.
We test each element and thermostat before replacing anything. When only one element has failed, the heater often still makes some hot water, just not enough, which can look like a sizing problem when it is really a repair.
A leaking tank body cannot be repaired. Repeated failures on an older heater may also point toward replacement. When that is the case, we give you options and prices so you can compare.
A few facts help that decision:
We at Works Plumbing provide water heater repair across the Peninsula. See all plumbing services in Palo Alto.
Why does the relief valve on my Palo Alto water heater keep dripping?
Often because pressure is building as the water heats. On a closed system with a pressure regulator or backflow device, the City’s inspection guideline calls for an expansion tank. We check pressure and the expansion tank before replacing the valve.
Where should my relief valve line end?
The City’s guideline calls for discharge to the exterior, pointing down 6 to 24 inches above grade, and never into the drain pan. If yours ends elsewhere, we explain the correction and its price.
How should my water heater be strapped?
The City’s guideline calls for two seismic straps, one in the top third and one in the bottom third, with the bottom strap at least 4 inches from the controls. We check the straps on every repair.
Who do I call about the gas meter for my water heater?
The City of Palo Alto Utilities. The City operates the gas system and owns the meter. We work on the piping and the heater on your side of the meter.
Do I need a permit to repair my water heater?
It depends on the work. Replacement has its own permit path in Palo Alto. For repairs, we confirm permit requirements with the City before work starts.
Is it worth repairing an older water heater?
If the tank is sound and the failed part is a valve, sensor, or element, repair is usually reasonable. A leaking tank body means replacement. We give you both options when the call is close.
Cold showers do not have to last. Contact Works Plumbing for a diagnosis, an upfront price, and a heater checked against the City’s inspection points.
We’re highly experienced with: Leak detection Drain cleaning Drain repair Rooter services Water heaters Sprinkler systems Tankless water heaters Toilet repair & installation Faucet repair & installation Shower repair & installation Trenchless sewer repairs Camera inspections Garbage disposals Gas lines Gas valves Burst pipes Pipe repair Sump pumps Sewer repairs Hydro jetting Pipelining Plumbing repairs
Navien® Water Heaters Works Plumbing is your top plumber San Francisco & Peninsula area that specializes in installing high-quality Navien tankless water heating systems. Navien is a global leader in energy-efficient and water-saving technology, and if you purchase a Navien system, we have the extensive training to properly install it in your Northern California home. With our quick and affordable installation services, you can immediately start enjoying dependable hot water, lower maintenance and energy costs, and a long-lasting product. To learn more, give Works Plumbing a call today! Plumbing Repair Toilet Repair Shower Repair Hydro Jetting Camera Inspection Leak Detection Gas Line Repair Trenchless Pipe Repair Water Line Repair Sump Pumps Garbage Disposal Drain Cleaning Faucet Repair Hot Water Heater Repair Tankless Water Heaters
Snap a photo of the problem before you call, it helps us bring the right parts on the first visit.
See how we handle it:
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Upfront pricing, licensed techs, and a real human on the phone 24/7 across the Peninsula.
A look at real Works jobs around the Peninsula.
Palo Alto’s Building Division publishes a water heater inspection guideline dated December 20, 2018. It lists what inspectors check on a water heater installation. The code sections it cites come from the edition in force at the time, but the points themselves read like a repair checklist:
Each item connects to a repair call we see. A missing or waterlogged expansion tank on a closed system lets pressure build as water heats, and the relief valve opens to let it out. Replacing that valve without fixing the expansion problem only buys time.
A strap too close to the controls makes service harder and can stress the gas valve. A discharge line that ends in the pan hides a valve that is opening, so nobody notices until the pan overflows.
So on every repair, we fix the reported problem first, then walk these points. If one is missing, we explain why it matters and give you a price. You decide what to correct.
We also serve these neighboring Peninsula towns.
We’ve earned our reputation one happy homeowner at a time.
“I had a backed up kitchen drain and David from Works Plumbing came out and cleared the line in a matter of minutes. Very professional and very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!”
“Great professional and quick service! Shamir was friendly, efficient, and professional. He fixed the leaking problem in my sink and garbage disposal in under an hour. Highly recommend!”
“Thank you again for another job well done, and thank you for responding right away. I will continue to recommend Works Plumbing because they respond right away and get the job done efficiently.”
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