No Hot Water? We’ll Fix It Today.
Cold showers, no hot water for dishes, a leaking tank — it’s stressful. Take a breath.
We diagnose the problem same-day and give you every option — repair or replace — with upfront pricing before any work begins.
Same-day diagnosis available — call before noon.
Request Your Free Diagnosis
Leave your number and we’ll call within 15 minutes to schedule.
Or call us now: (434) 505-4780
This was the best experience I have ever had with a service company. I contacted them before 8am, they responded immediately and were here to look at my water heater in 2 hours. Don took the time to explain everything (he’s a plumbing instructor!) I’m so impressed I want them to do my HVAC, too! Wow. Just wow. Ten stars!!
Why Charlottesville homeowners choose The Otter Guys
65+ years repairing and replacing water heaters in Central Virginia
We’ve worked on every brand, every fuel type, and every configuration. Gas, electric, tank, tankless — our trucks carry the parts to handle most repairs on the first visit.
Honest recommendation — we’ll tell you when repair makes more sense
Our tech shows you the problem and gives you two written estimates: one for repair, one for replacement. If your unit has years of life left, we’ll say so. No pressure to replace what doesn’t need replacing.
Upfront pricing before you decide anything
You see the exact cost for repair AND replacement before any work starts. No surprise charges, no hidden fees. It’s your decision — we just give you the information.
Warranty on All Work
Parts and labor warranty on every water heater repair and installation
Licensed & Insured
VA License #2705181379
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business
Charlottesville’s Finest
Gold Award 2023–2025
Signs your water heater needs attention
No Hot Water
Pilot light out, thermostat failure, or heating element issue. Often repairable same-day.
Leaking Tank
Water pooling around the base usually means internal corrosion. Replacement is typically needed.
Strange Noises
Popping, rumbling, or banging sounds from sediment buildup. A flush may fix it — or the tank is aging out.
Rusty or Discolored Water
Brown or rust-colored hot water means corrosion inside the tank. This usually means replacement is coming.
Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit
Thermocouple failure is common and inexpensive to repair. Don’t ignore it — gas can build up. A same-day diagnosis catches this fast.
Water Not Hot Enough
Thermostat issues, sediment buildup, or an undersized unit. Diagnosis pinpoints the cause.
Trusted by 6,000+ Charlottesville homeowners
“Scott installed a new hot water heater for me. It was a challenging situation with icy conditions outside of my house. A second person, Dylan, was called over to help out. Scott is a seasoned plumber, with so much expertise that it’s coming out of his ears. They spent the extra time it required to make sure that I had a new hot water heater installed today. Having a broken down hot water heater was a huge stressor that is now off of my shoulders. I highly recommend them.”Carrie Smith Google Review
“Malec was our tech. He was very thorough in his investigation to our water heater problem and water quality check. He respected our home and gave advice on what to expect next. Otter Guys offered us 4 solutions and Malec talked us through where it would be best to start to solve our situation and not just put a bandaid on it. I would highly recommend Otter Guys for their techs professionalism and timely service.”Luke Davies Google Review
“Malak was very knowledgeable and repaired my water heater very quickly. He even gave me a free water evaluation. The Otter Guys are the best.”Denise Dezio Google Review
Here’s exactly what happens when you call
Same-day diagnosis
A licensed plumber arrives (usually the same day), inspects your water heater — thermostat, heating elements, pressure valve, tank condition — and identifies the problem. No charge for the diagnosis.
Your options and pricing
We give you two written estimates: one for repair, one for replacement. We explain what each option means for your hot water, your energy bills, and the long-term cost. It’s your call.
The fix
If you choose repair, we handle it on the spot — most repairs take under two hours. If you choose replacement, we schedule installation (often same-day), remove the old unit, and make sure everything’s working before we leave.
No Hot Water? Don’t Wait — It Gets Worse.
A failing water heater doesn’t just mean cold showers. Leaks cause water damage. Old units waste energy every month. A failing gas unit can be a safety hazard. We’ll diagnose the problem same-day and give you every option — repair or replace — with upfront pricing. No obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most repairs range from $150 to $600, depending on the issue. Thermocouple replacements and thermostat fixes are on the lower end. Heating element replacements or gas valve issues run higher. We’ll give you the exact cost before any work starts — no surprises.
Standard tank water heaters (40–50 gallon) typically run $1,200 to $2,500 installed. Tankless units range from $3,000 to $5,500 depending on the model and any gas line or venting modifications needed. We include removal of the old unit in every quote.
It depends on the unit’s age and the cost of repair. As a rule of thumb: if your water heater is over 10 years old and the repair costs more than half the price of a new one, replacement usually makes more sense. Our tech will walk you through the math for your specific situation.
Yes. We offer financing plans from 5 to 15 years with approvals in as little as 2 minutes. You don’t have to pay for the full replacement upfront — monthly payments are available for any installation.
Most standard tank replacements take 2–4 hours. Tankless installations may take 4–8 hours if gas line or venting modifications are needed. We’ll give you a specific timeline when we present your estimate.
Tank water heaters store 40–80 gallons of hot water and cost less upfront ($1,200–$2,500 installed). Tankless units heat water on demand, never run out, and last 20+ years vs. 8–12 for tanks — but cost more upfront ($3,000–$5,500 installed). We’ll help you decide which makes sense for your household size and hot water usage.
Whatever’s going on with your water heater, we’ve seen it before. Over 65 years, we’ve helped thousands of Central Virginia homeowners get their hot water back — usually the same day they called. Whether it’s a simple repair or time for a new unit, you don’t have to figure this out alone.