Hot water heaters might seem too complicated and intimidating to fix. They have plumbing and electrical components—two things that usually signal that hiring a pro is the best choice when you need ...

Your water heater needs to be maintained, especially by draining it. It's an important chore. But how often should you be ...

Q: Recently, I’ve noticed my hot water heater making an unusual noise that I’ve never heard before, and I’m not sure if it’s serious. Why is mywater heater noisy, and should I be worried about it? A: ...

When a water heater dies, it rarely does so without sending up a flare first. The most important early clue is a subtle but ...

In follow-up to the Jan. 27 letter “Just a waste,” in which the writer laments the waste in larger homes when hot water is needed but it takes two minutes for it to reach the tap: With hot water ...

Many homeowners who purchased Whirlpool's Flame Lock gas water heaters are taking a lot of cold showers these days, not to relieve frustration but because they have no hot water. The heater, which is ...

Your water heater most likely numbers among the appliances you think about least in your home. But when things go wrong, you’ll care about it very quickly, and that gets even more urgent during the ...

When is the best time to buy a new water heater? Hint: It’s not when the one you have fails. But that’s what many homeowners end up doing. They notice a leak—or worse, they’re surprised by a flood—and ...

Water heaters are essential for daily tasks like showering, cooking and cleaning. Repairs or replacements can be unexpectedly expensive, and not having hot water can be inconvenient and annoying.

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of ...