Water Heater Repair & Service in Burnaby, BC

Water Heater Problems We Fix

Most water heater calls we take in Burnaby and across Metro Vancouver come down to a handful of recurring faults. Our technicians diagnose the cause first, then explain whether a repair or a replacement is the better value before any work begins. Here are the issues we see most often.

• No hot water: On a gas unit this usually points to a failed thermocouple, a pilot or igniter fault, or a tripped gas valve. On an electric unit it is often a burnt-out heating element or a tripped thermostat. We test each component rather than guessing.
• Leaks and pooling water: Water around the base can come from loose connections, a failing T&P valve, or a corroded tank. Fittings and valves are repairable; a leaking tank is not, and we will tell you which one you have.
• Pilot or igniter failure: A pilot that will not stay lit or an igniter that will not spark keeps the burner from firing. We service the ignition assembly, gas valve, and safety controls to get the burner running reliably again.
• Sediment and rumbling noises: Popping or rumbling means mineral sediment has built up on the tank floor. A sediment flush clears the buildup, restores efficiency, and quiets the tank.
• Discoloured or rusty water: Brown or metallic hot water often means a spent anode rod or internal tank corrosion. Replacing the anode rod in time can add years to the tank; a corroded tank needs replacing.
• Lukewarm or short hot-water supply: A broken dip tube, a failing element, or a miscalibrated thermostat can leave you running out of hot water early. We pinpoint the part and repair or replace it.

Whatever the symptom, we quote before we begin and use parts suited to your make and model. If a repair does not make financial sense on an ageing tank, we will say so plainly.

Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Choosing between a storage tank and a tankless system is the most common decision our customers face when it is time to replace. Both have their place, and the right choice depends on your household size, hot-water demand, and whether you have gas or electric service.

A tank water heater stores 40 to 60 gallons of pre-heated water, ready to draw on. Tanks cost less upfront and are simple to install and service, which makes them a practical fit for many homes. The trade-offs are a finite reserve that can run out during back-to-back showers, standby heat loss from keeping the tank hot, and a shorter service life.

A tankless water heater heats water only as it flows, giving you on-demand hot water that never runs out and no standby loss. Tankless units take up far less space and typically last longer than a tank, though they cost more upfront and may need a gas line or venting upgrade to supply the burner. Proper sizing matters most here: an undersized unit cannot keep up when several fixtures run at once, so we calculate your peak flow rate before recommending a model.

Both tank and tankless come in gas and electric versions. Gas models heat quickly and suit high-demand homes; electric models are simpler to install where no gas line is present. We install and service leading brands including Rinnai, Navien, and Bradford White, and we match the unit to your home rather than pushing one style. If a tankless conversion needs additional gas line work, our licensed gas fitters handle that as part of the job.

Repair or Replace? How to Decide

When a water heater fails, the practical question is whether to fix it or start fresh. A few clear factors point the way, and we walk through each one with you before you commit to anything.

The first factor is age. A conventional tank typically lasts 8 to 12 years. If your tank is inside that window and the fault is a single component such as a thermocouple, element, or valve, a repair is usually the sensible choice. Once a tank is past 10 to 12 years, repairs tend to become a recurring expense and replacement is the better long-term value.

The second factor is the nature of the fault. A leaking tank cannot be repaired and always means replacement, while most other problems can be fixed. We weigh the repair cost against the price of a new unit: if a repair approaches a large share of replacement cost on an older tank, putting that money toward a new, efficient unit makes more sense.

The third factor is efficiency. Newer tank and tankless units run more efficiently than a decade-old model, so a replacement can lower your operating cost while ending the string of repairs. We give you both numbers, explain whether a tankless upgrade fits your home, and let you decide with the full picture in front of you.

Permits & BC Rebates

In British Columbia, replacing a water heater requires a permit, and gas units must be installed by a licensed gas fitter to meet Technical Safety BC code. Maple Furnace pulls the required permits and arranges the inspection, so your installation is safe, compliant, and properly documented for insurance and resale. You never have to navigate the paperwork yourself.

Upgrading to a high-efficiency system can also earn you money back. FortisBC offers a rebate of up to $1,000 (VERIFY current amounts at publish) toward an eligible heat-pump water heater, and up to $3,500 (VERIFY current amounts at publish) when the upgrade is paired with an eligible home renovation. We confirm current program eligibility and provide the documentation your rebate application needs.

A heat-pump water heater pairs naturally with other efficiency upgrades. If you are weighing a broader home comfort project, see our guide to BC heat pump rebates, and if your new unit calls for a fuel-supply change our team handles the gas line work under the same permit.

Same-Day & After-Hours Water Heater Service

A cold shower or a leaking tank is not something you want to live with. Maple Furnace is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00am to 7:30pm, so Saturday service is part of our regular schedule and not an after-hours premium. Call us early in the day and we will do our best to arrange same-day service for water heater failures across Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

We provide same-day service and after-hours response during business hours, and we come prepared to diagnose the fault, quote the fix, and get your hot water back on. Call (604) 324-4328 to schedule.