Water heater questions, answered

Greenville and nearby towns including Winterville, Ayden, Farmville, Simpson, Grimesland, Bethel, and Grifton. See the service areas page for details on each town.

Yes. Call or use the estimate form. There’s no charge for the estimate and no obligation to go ahead.

Yes. Propane is common outside the Greenville Utilities gas area, and propane heaters get the same repair and replacement service as natural gas and electric models.

Call your landlord or property manager first. They usually arrange and pay for water heater repairs. Landlords and property managers are welcome to call directly.

Leave the house first. Then call Greenville Utilities if you have natural gas in Greenville, Winterville, or Ayden, Piedmont Natural Gas in Farmville, your propane supplier, or 911.

Sometimes it’s doing its job because pressure or temperature is too high. Often, especially on Greenville Utilities water with chloramines, the valve’s seal has simply worn out. A plumber will check pressure and temperature first, then replace the valve if that’s the problem. Don’t cap or plug the discharge pipe.

Usually one heating element or thermostat has failed. It’s one of the most common and least expensive water heater repairs.

Yes. Calls come from Winterville, Ayden, Farmville, Bethel, Grifton, Grimesland, Simpson, and the rest of Pitt County.

Rheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, State, and other common brands use similar parts, and local plumbers work on all of them. An uncommon part may need to be ordered.

Not for a true like-for-like swap by a licensed plumber in a one- or two-family home. If you change fuel, size, location, or venting, you need a permit from the City of Greenville, Pitt County, or your town. See our licensing and permit resources page for offices and phone numbers.

A straight tank swap usually takes two to four hours. Changing fuel type, adding a gas line, or moving the heater takes longer.

Often, if natural gas is available on your street. Greenville Utilities serves Greenville, Winterville, and Ayden, and Piedmont serves Farmville. A plumber will check the gas line size and venting, and a permit is required.

Yes. Removing and disposing of the old tank is normally included.

It can be if you already have natural gas or propane with room for a bigger line and a new vent, and you plan to stay a while. For many all-electric homes, a heat pump tank is the more practical energy saver.

Not the way a tank does, but each unit has a limit on gallons per minute. Asking for more than that makes the water cooler, so sizing to your busiest time of day matters.

At least once a year for most units. Homes on private wells or harder town well water may need it more often.

Not if water reached it. Floodwater can damage gas controls, burners, and electrical parts in ways you can’t see. Have it inspected first, and expect a replacement in most cases.

If the tank itself is leaking, no. Shut it off and plan to replace it. A leak from a fitting or valve is often repairable but should be fixed soon.

Call any time. You’ll be connected with a local plumber who can tell you what needs to happen tonight and what can wait until morning.

Once a year is a good baseline. Homes on private wells or harder well water may need it more often. If an older tank has never been flushed, ask a plumber first, since loosening hardened sediment can make an old drain valve leak.

It’s usually a reaction between bacteria or sulfur in the water and the tank’s anode rod. It’s most common on well water. Swapping the rod for a different type often solves it.

About 120°F for most homes. It lowers scald risk and saves energy.