Expert Lowcountry Water Heater Repairs
Don’t struggle through another cold shower—get your water heater fixed by a licensed Lowcountry Swell Guy Plumber today!
What types of water heaters does Swell Guy Plumbing Repair?
- Electric Tank Water Heaters
- Natural Gas Tank Water Heaters
- Tankless Natural Gas Water Heaters
- Heat Pump Water Heaters
Swell Guy Plumbing's water heater repair service area
Don't settle for another cold shower
Cold showers are only fun if you’ve been working in the 113° Lowcountry heat index all day!
Let’s get your hot water flowing again!
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Swell Guy Plumbing Co has over 25 years of water heater repair experience in the Lowcountry area.
We perform water heater repairs in Goose Creek, Hanahan, Ladson, Moncks Corner, North Charleston, and Summerville, SC.
Steven Dyson, owner and licensed plumber, is a lifelong Lowcountry resident with over 25 years of water heater repair experience. Swell Guy Plumbing values the opportunity to help our Lowcountry neighbors keep their hot water flowing.
Our $45 scheduling fee counts toward your Water Heater repair
We believe in doing right by our neighbors. That’s why our $45 dispatch/scheduling fee isn’t an extra charge—it goes straight toward the cost of your water heater repairs.
We’re just happy to help!
What's a repair gonna cost me?
To give you an actual repair price to get your hot water flowing again, we have to visit your property and check the problem.
Typically, water heater repairs are much cheaper than replacing the unit. We’ll alaways try to repair your existing water heater but we can’t guarantee you won’t need a one.
Age is a major factor – repairing a 10-15 year or older water heater may not always be practical. Wear and tear is another factor – if the bottom is rusting out of a 6 year old tank you’ll probably want to swap it out for a newer version.
Are the connections rusted into the tank? Sometimes trying to remove damaged fittings can break the tank.
We don’t like to waste your money so we always compare repair vs replacement cost.
So let's break it down by type of water heater
What does Swell Guy Plumbing charge to repair or replace a traditional tank water heater in the Charleston, SC Lowcountry area?
Electric Tank & Gas Tank Water Heaters
Electric tank water heaters have many of the same components as a gas tank water heater. Inlet & outlet connections, anode rod, T&P valve, expansion tank, and drain valve. Their primary difference is their fuel source: gas water heaters have a gas control valve, burner assembly, and an exhaust vent. Electric water heaters have heating elements and thermostats.
Diagnostics: $185 – $225 (mainly used for tankless gas water heaters)
Elements & Thermostats: (not hot water or less hot water than usual) Replacement typically runs around $325
Expansion Tank: (small tank sitting above your water heater) Replacement $315 – $450
T&P Valve: $250 – $350 (T&P valves, expansion tanks, elements, thermostats)
Drain Valve: $275 – $450 Damaged drain valves can make it harder to drain the unit
Gas Control Valve: $550 – $850 Depends on brand, parts price and availability
Annual Water Heater Flush: $185 (flush/descaling)
Tankless Water Heater Repairs (Natural Gas Only)
Tankless water heaters are full of components. Sure, it’s easy to see if your tankless is spraying water everywhere (and the inetrior is flooded) that you’re most likely going to need to replace the unit. But to find the problem for a unit that just won’t turn on or shuts off mid shower – well that requires some investigating.
Sometimes a tankless just needs a simple cleaning (flush/descaling).
Determining a repair price requires a diagnosis. Once the problem is determined, a repair price can be figured based on labor an parts. Please note that Swell Guy Plumbing repairs Navien and Rinnai tankless gas water heaters.
Tankless repair parts and repair labor can get very expensive so we always compare repair price to replacement price to give you the best option. Repair parts can also take a while to get – so being without hot water for multiple days can also affect the decision.
Tankless Water Heater Diagnostics: $225 (1st hour).
Our Transparent Process
- Schedule: Call or book online to set a convenient diagnostic window.
- Inspection: A licensed plumber diagnoses the issue and explains the fix.
- Upfront Quote: You get a fair priced estimate before any work begins.
- Fix: We complete the repair and get your hot water flowing again.
Our Water Heater Service Area
We proudly serve the Lowcountry area
Did You run Out Of Hot Water?
Some Free Advice From Swell Guy Plumbing.
Most of us take hot water for granted, until we’re forced to take a cold shower.
What should you do if your water heater is leaking?
First, shut the water off to your water heater to relieve the pressure. It will probably still leak but not as bad. Water and electricity do not mix well so turn off the breaker if you have an electric water heater (we actually recommend doing this first for safety reasons). We also recommend turning off the gas supply valve if you have a gas water heater. Now it’s time to call your plumber.
What should you do if your water heater is not leaking?
For electric water heaters check for leaks, then check the breaker, it may be tripped and start working fine once the breaker is reset. For gas water heaters check for leaks, make sure the gas valve and gas control knob are both in the on position, and finally see if you can see the pilot light through the small view port at the bottom of the water heater. You can try to relight the pilot, if you’re comfortable doing so, by following the pilot lighting instructions on the tank. If resetting the breaker or relighting the pilot doesn’t work, it’s time to call your plumber.
A final note about water heater repairs & Replacements
Plumbers charge different prices, some charge more and some charge less. We recommend checking around to see if a plumber will give you a price range before you pay them to come out. At Swell Guy Plumbing, we believe in transparency so we post our water heater repair and replacement prices online so that you can have a good idea of what you’ll probably spend before you pay us to come out.
So if you need a hot water plumber, check out or price ranges, then give us a call or schedule an appointment online. We would love to help get your hot water flowing again.
It's Your Choice..
Why Choose
Swell Guy Plumbing For Your Water Heater Repair?
First, Swell Guy Plumbing is local. Steven Dyson, owner and licensed plumber, is a lifelong Lowcountry resident with over 25 years of water heater repair experience. Second, Swell Guy Plumbing is licensed in SC to install and repair electric, gas, and tankless water heaters. Third, Swell Guy Plumbing has over 25 years of Lowcountry water heater experience. Finally, Swell Guy Plumbing believes in fair pricing. We don’t claim to be the cheapest water heater repair plumber in the Lowcountry, but we guarantee expert water heater repairs for a fair price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions we get from customers.
It usually comes down to the fuel type and internal components:
Electric Water Heaters: Most electric units use two heating elements. If the lower element or lower thermostat fails, only the top layer of water gets heated, cutting your hot water capacity in half.
Gas Water Heaters: A failing burner, faulty thermocouple, or improper gas flow can prevent the system from heating water efficiently.
All Tank-Style Systems: Excess sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank creates an insulating barrier that reduces available water volume. Alternatively, a broken dip tube can drop cold water directly at the top of the tank where hot water exits, cooling down your supply instantly.
If your hot water drops off suddenly, give Swell Guy Plumbing a call to diagnose and replace broken elements, flush sediment, or repair the unit.
Yes, depending on where the leak is coming from:
Fixable: Leaks from loose fittings, valves, pressure relief valves, or external plumbing lines.
Requires Replacement: Leaks originating from the water heater tank itself (usually caused by internal rust or corrosion).
If you notice water pooling around your water heater, give us a call right away to prevent further property damage.
The short answer is no—your water heater will continue running without annual flushing. However, manufacturers of both tank and tankless systems strongly recommend yearly maintenance to keep equipment operating safely and efficiently.
Minerals and sediment naturally settle at the bottom of your tank over time. Flushing your water heater removes this scale buildup, prevents premature rusting, and keeps heat-transfer components working as intended.
Here is why regular maintenance matters:
Warranty Protection: Many major manufacturers require documented annual servicing to keep factory warranties valid.
Extended System Lifespan: Sediment creates an insulating layer that forces your water heater to overheat and work harder, shortening its life.
Easier, Cheaper Repairs: When a system goes years without service, severe calcification can freeze valves and coat heating elements, often turning a simple repair into a full replacement. (Note: If your heater hasn’t been flushed in 7+ years, let us know first so we can check if a flush is still safe for the tank.)
We’re homeowners too, and we understand that recurring maintenance costs add up. We will never push services you don’t want or need. Whether you hire us for yearly service, prefer to flush it yourself, or choose to run your system until it’s time for a replacement, Swell Guy Plumbing is always here to give you straight advice and dependable support.
Most standard electric water heater repairs take 1 to 3 hours and can be completed the same day since essential parts are widely stocked on our trucks.
For gas and tankless water heaters, repair times depend on part availability. We prioritize safety and performance by using high-grade factory replacement parts. If a specific part needs to be ordered, we keep you informed every step of the way—or provide options for a quick replacement if you can’t afford to wait without hot water.
Need hot water fast? Call Swell Guy Plumbing to schedule same-day diagnostics!
Age isn’t the only factor—we’ve repaired 15-year-old units in great condition, while an 8-year-old unit with severe wear and tear might not be worth fixing.
When evaluating your water heater, we look at four main factors:
Overall Condition: Is the unit structurally sound, or is there major corrosion and tank degradation?
Warranty Status: If your unit is still under manufacturer warranty, repairing it is often the most cost-effective path.
Repair vs. Replacement Cost: If a repair costs close to half the price of a brand-new unit, replacement is usually the smarter long-term investment.
Longevity: We assess whether a repair actually gives you several more years of reliable hot water or is just a temporary patch.
As fellow homeowners, we put ourselves in your shoes to recommend the option that gives you the best combination of upfront price, safety, and long-term value.
Upgrading to an endless hot water tankless system isn’t always feasible or within budget—but you still have a great alternative.
At Swell Guy Plumbing, whenever we replace a 50-gallon gas or electric water heater, we offer the option to install a thermostatic tank booster valve.
How does it work?
A booster valve is installed directly on top of your water heater, blending cold water with super-heated tank water. By safely storing water inside the tank at 140°F (which kills harmful bacteria like Legionella) and mixing it down to a comfortable 120°F at the output, your system delivers up to 50% more usable hot water. That turns your standard 50-gallon tank into the equivalent of a 75- to 80-gallon water heater without taking up extra space.
Is Your Hot Water Plumber A Swell Guy?
Call or Schedule Online Today
And we’ll put over 25 years of Lowcountry water heater experience to work for you.
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