Q. Our water heater flooded our garage. I am assuming it needs replacing. I shut off the water to the house and the pilot on the water heater, but how do I shut off the water going to the water heater? What is the typical cost to replace a water heater?

A. Your water heater should have shut off valve where the water lines enter it. It is possible you do not have a shutoff valve. I would guess a plumber will charge about $200.00 labor to install a new one. Are you sure it is the water heater leaking and not a faulty relief valve on top of water heater. Did you see the water coming out or just find a wet floor. Good luck

Q. We had a house fumigated so the gas was shut off. It's been roughly a month, but when we tried to have the gas turned on and the pilot light relit on the water heater, the electric company tech said there was no water in the water heater. He stated that he can not turn on the gas until the water heater has water in it. What I want to know is how can we get the water heater filled back up with water?

A. Find the water inlet pipe at the bottom and turn the tap on.

Q. I have a full sized hot water heater, but I always run out of hot water! I can't stand it, the water heater in my old apartment was better than this one! I take a 30 minute shower at the most, so its not like i'm in there for hours, it shouldn't be running out of hot water after 10 minutes. I know there is a little temperature thing on my hot water heater downstairs, but I don't know what temperature it should be on or anything. Can anyone help?

A. I'd check that the pipe which re-fills the heater isn't partially blocked. Is the whole of the heater cold when the hot water disappears? Cold water should displace the hot water from the bottom of the tank.

Q. I have an electric water heater that is due for replacement. My range, and central heat is gas. There is no gas line piped to the location of the water heater. I am considering a tankless water heater. I am considering electric, because the house is already wired for it. If I go with gas, then I will have to run a pipe to it. What do you think? What do you think of hybrid (gas/electric) water heaters? Is a tankless water heater really better than a conventional water heater with a timer attached?

A. Stick with wut works.replace the electric heater.

Q. I have a 6 year old electric water heater. I replaced the elements 6 months ago. It has worked fine up until today. I ran out of hot water while in the shower and checked the water heater and found water coming out around the element door which is at the top side of the heater. What could be wrong with the heater and how can this be repaired?

A. Hate to tell you but your heater is done. Call a plumber, you need a new one. The liner is cracked.

Q. Ok i replaced my water heater found out from a plumber that is was cracked at the base of the tank but i still dont have hot water what else can be wrong ps plumber installed the new water heater not me!!! thank you traci harris

A. Call the plumber back! You contracted with him for a water heater that will heat water. You still don't have it, so the contract is still unfulfilled.

Q. So i have a furnace water heater, but we don't have enough hot water for showers and such. So i was thinking of adding a water heater such as a point of use water heater or something like that. Is it possible?

A. Yes its possible. You are looking at apprx. 1000.00 as an investment though. Depending the water heater brand and type of special vent required, an initial cost will be made. In the end the energy saved and your issue will resolve for you will have on demand hot water. Get several estimates on this for the price cost will vary. Be aware, your gas meter will need an upgrade for these do use more gas as btu loads are concerned.

Q. Yeah the water company shut my water off due to main break for a couple days and i was just wondering why i still cant use the water in the hot water heater though? does it have to do with the pressure from outside pushing it through the pipes? thank you for answering

A. You got it right, no water pressure from outside means nothing to push the water out of the heater.