Water Heater Repair in Southaven, MS
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What DeSoto County winters do to a water heater
Southaven homes run their heat from November through March, and winter nights average 34°F from December through February. Colder water comes into the tank, and the burner or heating element has to run longer to bring it up to temperature. That extra running time wears on the thermostat and the heating element, and it shows up as water that takes longer to heat back up or runs out faster than it used to.
Power matters too. Statewide, 30% of Mississippi households lost power for at least 24 hours in 2024, and the area has logged 14 winter storms and 50 damaging wind events over the past ten years. Most water heaters come back on by themselves once power returns. If yours does not, or the water stays cold after the lights come back on, that is worth a look.
- 34°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 5 months
- November through March, the months homes here need heat
- 30%
- of Mississippi households lost power for a day or more in 2024, and a heater with an electric element or electric ignition stops without it
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A new water heater would cut about $80 a year off hot water for a typical Mississippi home.
Estimates for a typical Mississippi home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Mississippi fuel prices. Your home will differ.
Repair makes sense when an element, thermostat or gas valve has failed.
Replacement makes sense when the tank itself is leaking.
- Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?
- The most common cause is the tank itself corroding from the inside and starting to weep through the steel. Sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank over the years and traps moisture against the metal, which wears through it eventually. Water can also drip down from a loose fitting, a failing drain valve, or the temperature and pressure relief valve above, so the leak only looks like it starts at the bottom. A contractor can trace exactly where the water is coming from before deciding whether the tank needs replacing.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- Usually the thermocouple has worn out and can no longer sense the flame, so the gas valve shuts off as a safety measure. A weak or dirty pilot flame, a draft in the area, or a clogged pilot orifice can cause the same thing. A standing pilot does not use any household power, so a power outage will not explain it going out. A contractor can test the thermocouple and pilot assembly and replace whichever part is failing.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most tankless water heater problems are repairable. Mineral buildup on the heat exchanger is a common issue, especially with hard water, and it can usually be flushed out. Igniter failures, sensor errors, and venting blockages are also common and are typically fixed by replacing the specific part rather than the whole unit. A contractor can read the error code the unit displays and diagnose from there.