Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Sterling, VA
No hot water, a leaking tank, or a unit that is finally done? R.A. Dobson has repaired, replaced and installed water heaters across Sterling, Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia for 50 years.
Signs your water heater needs attention
Some of these are a quick fix. Others are a warning that the tank is close to failing. If you see water on the floor, shut off the supply and call us.
Often a failed heating element, thermostat or pilot assembly rather than the whole unit.
Usually sediment stealing tank capacity, or a unit that is undersized for the household.
A dripping fitting can be repaired. A weeping tank seam cannot, and it will not get better.
Sediment hardening on the bottom of the tank. It drives up your bill and shortens the tank life.
Points to a spent anode rod or corrosion starting inside the tank.
A bacteria or anode issue. Worth diagnosing properly rather than flushing and hoping.
Commonly a thermocouple or gas control valve, both repairable on most gas units.
Past the ten-year mark, repairs stop being the economical choice on most tanks.
Repair it, or replace it?
We will tell you which one actually makes sense for your unit. Sometimes the cheap fix is the right fix, and sometimes it is money thrown at a tank with a year left in it.
Repair usually wins when…
The unit is under about eight years old, the tank itself is sound, and the fault is a serviceable part: a thermostat, heating element, thermocouple, gas control valve, anode rod or a leaking fitting. These are same-visit repairs on most gas and electric tanks.
Replacement usually wins when…
The tank is leaking from the body rather than a fitting, the unit is past ten years, you are facing a second significant repair, or the tank was never sized for the way your household actually uses hot water. A right-sized new unit also cuts standby losses.
Free estimates. We give you the number before any work starts.
Tank, tankless, or high-efficiency
There is no single right answer. It depends on how much hot water you use at once, where the unit lives, and what you want your bills to look like.
Standard tank
The most affordable to install and the simplest to service. A well-sized gas or electric tank suits most Northern Virginia homes, and parts are available everywhere. The trade-off is standby heat loss and a finite amount of hot water at once.
Tankless
Heats on demand, so hot water does not run out and no tank sits in your utility room. Higher upfront cost and it may need gas line or venting changes. Best for busy households and homes short on space.
High-efficiency models
Energy-efficient units cost more at purchase and less to run. We will walk you through the actual difference for your household rather than quoting a brochure figure.
What drives the price of a replacement
We do not publish a single price, because the honest number depends on your home. What actually moves it:
- Capacity and fuel type: gas or electric, and how many gallons your household genuinely needs.
- Tank or tankless: tankless carries a higher install cost and different venting.
- Efficiency level: a higher-efficiency unit costs more up front and less every month.
- The existing setup: venting, gas line, water line and expansion tank work, plus how accessible the unit is.
- Code requirements: permitting and code-compliant installation in your jurisdiction.
You get a firm quote before we start, and financing is available if a failed water heater has landed at a bad time.
Estimates are always free.
Water heater service across Northern Virginia
We run out of Sterling, which keeps response times short across Loudoun County and into Fairfax County. We stock common tank sizes, so replacements are often same-day or next-day.
Loudoun County: Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Purcellville, Broadlands and Stone Ridge sit closest to our shop, and they usually see the fastest turnaround on a no-hot-water call.
Fairfax County: we cover Herndon, Reston, Chantilly, Fairfax, McLean, Great Falls and Lorton for water heater repair, replacement and installation, on the same gas and electric units and the same brands.
Prince William County: Manassas, Gainesville and Haymarket round out our service area.
Water heater services
Water Heater Repair
No hot water, leaks, strange noises and pilot light faults on gas and electric tanks.
See repair service →New UnitWater Heater Installation
Right-sized, code-compliant installation of your new tank, start to finish.
See installation →Endless Hot WaterTankless Water Heaters
On-demand hot water, no tank in the utility room, lower standby losses.
Explore tankless →🚨Emergency Plumbing
Burst lines, active leaks and urgent failures that will not wait for morning.
Get help now →💳Financing
Flexible monthly payments so an unplanned replacement is manageable.
Explore financing →📅Maintenance Agreements
Seasonal tune-ups, priority service and member discounts.
See the plan →Water heater questions we get asked
How long should a water heater last?
A conventional tank typically runs about eight to twelve years, and Northern Virginia water chemistry sits in the normal range for that. Once a unit is past ten years and needs a significant repair, replacement is usually the better use of the money. Tankless units generally last longer, which is part of what offsets their higher install cost.
How fast can you get here if I have no hot water?
Often same-day or next-day. We are based in Sterling and stock common tank sizes, so a straightforward replacement frequently happens on the first visit. Call (703) 481-3700 and we will tell you honestly where you sit in the schedule.
My tank is leaking. Is that repairable?
It depends where from. A drip at a fitting, valve or connection is usually a straightforward repair. Water weeping from the body of the tank means the tank itself has corroded through, and no repair fixes that. Shut off the water supply to the unit and call us. Leaks tend to get worse quickly rather than slowly.
Tank or tankless for my house?
Tankless suits households that run hot water heavily or at the same time in several places, and homes where the utility room space matters. A quality tank is often the better value for smaller homes and simpler setups. It can also depend on your existing gas line and venting. We size and quote both so you are comparing real numbers, not general advice.
Do you work on gas and electric units?
Both, across all major brands. We install Bradford White, A.O. Smith and State, and we repair whatever is already in your home.
What size water heater do I need?
It comes down to how much hot water your household uses at peak, not just the number of bedrooms. Undersizing is the most common reason people think their new heater is faulty when it is running exactly as designed. We size it against how you actually live.
Is the installation permitted and to code?
Yes. We are licensed and insured in Virginia, license #2701017843, and installations are done to code for your jurisdiction. Our work is backed by our workmanship guarantee.
Can I finance a replacement?
Yes. A water heater rarely fails at a convenient moment, so flexible financing is available, and estimates are always free.
No hot water? Let us take a look.
Fast, honest water heater service from your local, family-owned team. Sterling, Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia since 1975.