Water Heater Repair in Firestone, CO

Firestone is a fast-growing Carbon Valley town of mostly newer family subdivisions, so a lot of homes still have the water heater that came with the house. Those tanks are aging into the years when elements, valves and linings start to fail. The water is gentle on them: the Town has no treatment plant of its own and buys treated water from Central Weld County Water District and St. Vrain Water Authority. Central Weld reports average hardness of 33 mg/L, which is soft, and the water is disinfected with chlorine. Barefoot Lakes homes get water from Little Thompson Water District instead of the Town.

What to do now

1. Check the breaker or the pilot. Many no-heat calls start there.
2. Shut down a leaking heater. Turn off the power or gas and close the cold water supply valve.
3. Look at the relief valve pipe. Water there points to a worn valve or high pressure.
4. Smell gas? Leave first. Exit the house and call 911 and Black Hills Energy from outside, using the emergency number on your gas bill.
5. Grab the label details. Brand, gallons, fuel type and date.

Signs and likely causes

Cost factors

• The component. Electric parts are typically less than gas control valves.
• Tank versus tankless. Tankless diagnostics and parts work differently from tanks.
• Access. A basement mechanical room is easier than a crowded closet.
• Permits on replacement. The Firestone Building Division lists a residential tank-style water heater replacement permit, and tankless heaters with new gas piping need plan review.

For an after-hours water emergency on Town water, Firestone publishes a separate line at 720-652-4222. Sewer is handled by St. Vrain Sanitation District, which treats the building sewer line as the owner's responsibility.

Repair or replace? On a heater under about ten years old, a failed element, thermostat or igniter is usually worth fixing. On an original tank in an older subdivision that now leaks from the shell, replacement under the Town's permit is the better path.