It can cost around $370 on average to hire an emergency plumber to fix busted pipes or broken water heaters in Salt Lake City. The actual cost will depend on the type of problem.
Some people can only spend at least $89, while others should expect to pay more than $600 to hire a contractor on short notice. For instance, thermostat replacements for electric water heaters can only cost $100. Repairs for gas models don’t usually cost more than fixing electric models, although a substitute for a gas-fired heater will be more expensive.
Estimating a Professional’s Rate
You should compare quotes from at least three different plumbers before hiring a professional. It can be easy to hire anyone when you’re too concerned with a broken fixture, especially if it involves the bathroom or kitchen. Those who need to fix a broken gas-fired water heater should expect contractors to charge from $45 to $150 per hour. A plumber might quote the high-end of the price range for services during weekends, holidays, or beyond their working hours.
Diagnose Problems Before Hiring a Plumber
You don’t need to hire a plumber to fix some common problems with a water heater, but you need to be extra careful. If you’re using an electric model, be sure to turn off the power supply connected to the appliance for your safety. Most problems with electric heaters involve faulty thermostats. As an example, some homeowners set the temperature at 120°F to curb electricity consumption.
However, the supply of hot water can quickly become empty in the morning when people take showers. Try to increase the thermostat setting to at least 140°F or above to have enough water for everyone. If the water’s temperature doesn’t change even after a higher setting, you might need to replace the thermostat.
When to Hire a Plumber
Plumbers will be necessary when the problem for an electric water heater involves the heating elements, which can cost between $200 and $300. Most electric heaters use two types of heating elements mounted inside the tank, so ask the plumber if they charge for each component. Heating elements aren’t found on gas models. Instead, the common parts that are too expensive to repair include the valves and thermocouples.
You can spend up to $500 to replace gas valves and up to $150 for thermocouple replacements. You should consider buying a new water heater if you need to spend on both repairs. An honest plumber will suggest a replacement when the cost of repairs will be more expensive than a new unit. Likewise, they might also recommend that you replace the old one when you’ve been using it for more than 10 years.
Build a working relationship with a local plumber to feel more comfortable about non-family members coming to your house late at night. This means contacting the same professional for simple repairs during their working hours. By doing so, you might not even need emergency services if they routinely pay a visit to inspect your plumbing system.
