Hear from Our Customers
You turned the faucet expecting hot water and got an ice-cold surprise instead. Now you’re wondering if you need a full replacement, how much it’ll cost, and how long you’ll be stuck taking cold showers or heating water on the stove.
Here’s what matters: most water heater problems don’t require a new unit. A leaking pressure valve, tripped breaker, or worn heating element can usually be fixed the same day. You get your hot water back without the cost of a full replacement.
We’ve been fixing hot water heaters in Palm Bay since 2007. Most calls we get are for units that stopped heating overnight, started leaking near the base, or began making loud banging noises. Those aren’t always death sentences for your tank. Sometimes it’s sediment buildup from Florida’s hard water. Sometimes it’s a part that costs $150 instead of $1,500.
You need someone who’ll tell you the truth about whether repair makes sense or if replacement is the smarter move. Not every plumber will.
Drain Wizard is a family-owned plumbing company that’s been serving Brevard County since 2007. Our owner Carl started learning the trade at 16 and brings over four decades of hands-on experience to every job. He’s also a military veteran, which means the work ethic here isn’t negotiable.
We’re not the biggest name you’ll find online. We’re the ones who show up the same day, fix your water heater while the other guys are still scheduling estimates, and charge you fairly because we’re local and plan to stay that way.
Palm Bay homeowners deal with hard water that eats through tanks faster than it should. We’ve seen it in every neighborhood from Malabar to Port Malabar. That’s why we don’t guess at repairs. We assess what’s actually wrong, explain your options, and let you decide what makes sense for your home and budget.
You call or text us with the issue. We ask a few questions about what’s happening—no hot water, leaking, strange noises, whatever it is. Then we give you a realistic timeframe. Most days, that’s same-day service.
When we arrive, we inspect the unit to pinpoint the problem. That means checking the heating elements, thermostat, pressure relief valve, and looking for leaks or sediment buildup. We don’t start tearing things apart before we know what’s wrong.
Once we’ve diagnosed it, we explain what’s broken and what it’ll take to fix it. If it’s a simple repair, we handle it on the spot. If your water heater is old, rusted through, or the repair costs more than half of a replacement, we’ll tell you that too. You’ll know the cost before any work starts.
After the repair, we test the system to make sure you’re getting consistent hot water again. We clean up, haul away any old parts, and make sure everything’s working before we leave. Then we follow up a few days later to confirm it’s still running the way it should.
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We handle all makes and models—tank and tankless systems, gas and electric. That includes diagnosing the issue, replacing faulty parts like heating elements or thermostats, flushing sediment that’s built up from Palm Bay’s mineral-heavy water, and fixing leaks before they damage your floors or drywall.
If your unit is beyond repair, we also handle full water heater replacement. Tankless systems are becoming more popular here because they save space, last longer, and can cut your utility bills by up to 30%. We’ll walk you through the differences so you can make the right call for your home.
Florida’s climate is tough on water heaters. The heat, humidity, and hard water mean sediment builds up faster and parts wear out sooner. We flush tanks, check anode rods, and inspect pressure valves to catch problems before they turn into emergencies. Regular maintenance can add years to your system.
You’re also working with a licensed and insured plumber who’s been doing this since before Google existed. That means no guesswork, no cutting corners, and no surprises on the bill.
Start with the age of your unit. Most conventional tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years. If yours is older than that and you’re dealing with leaks, rust, or inconsistent heating, replacement usually makes more sense than dumping money into repairs.
If your water heater is newer and the problem is something like a faulty thermostat, broken heating element, or pressure valve issue, repair is almost always the better option. These fixes typically cost a few hundred dollars and can be done the same day.
Here’s a good rule: if the repair costs less than half the price of a new unit and your system is under 10 years old, fix it. If it’s older or the repair is expensive, replacement is smarter. We’ll give you an honest assessment either way so you’re not guessing.
That noise is almost always sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. Florida’s water has a high mineral content, and over time those minerals settle and harden into a layer of sediment. When your heating element turns on, it has to heat through that layer, which causes the banging or popping sound.
It’s not an emergency, but it does mean your water heater is working harder than it should. That sediment layer makes your system less efficient and can shorten its lifespan if you ignore it.
The fix is straightforward: we drain and flush the tank to clear out the buildup. It’s a maintenance task that should be done every year or two in Palm Bay because of how fast sediment accumulates here. If it’s been a while, we’ll take care of it and your system will run quieter and more efficiently.
First, find out where the leak is coming from. If it’s dripping from the pressure relief valve on the side or top of the tank, that’s usually a quick fix—either the valve needs adjustment or replacement. If water is pooling around the base of the tank, that’s more serious and often means the tank itself has corroded through.
Turn off the power to your water heater if it’s electric, or set it to pilot mode if it’s gas. Then shut off the water supply using the valve above the unit. That’ll stop more water from leaking while you wait for us.
Don’t wait on water heater leaks. Even a small drip can cause major water damage to your floors, drywall, or belongings. We offer same-day service in Palm Bay for leaking water heaters because we know how quickly a small problem can turn into an expensive one.
Most repairs take one to three hours depending on what’s wrong. Replacing a heating element or thermostat is usually on the shorter end. Flushing a tank full of sediment or replacing a pressure relief valve might take a bit longer.
If we need to order a specific part that’s not on the truck, that can add a day or two. But for common issues—no hot water, inconsistent temperature, minor leaks—we carry the parts we need and finish the job the same day.
You won’t be left waiting around for days or dealing with multiple trips. We show up ready to work, diagnose the problem quickly, and get your hot water running again as fast as possible. That’s how we’ve been doing it in Brevard County for over 15 years.
Tankless water heaters cost more upfront, but they last longer and use less energy. A good tankless system can run 15 to 20 years compared to 8 to 12 for a traditional tank. They also heat water on demand, so you’re not keeping 40 or 50 gallons hot all day when you’re not using it.
In Palm Bay, where air conditioning already drives up summer electric bills, a tankless system can lower your overall energy costs by up to 30%. They also take up way less space, which matters if your water heater is in a closet or small utility area.
The downside is the higher installation cost and the fact that tankless units require more maintenance in areas with hard water like ours. You’ll need to flush the system annually to prevent mineral buildup. But if you’re replacing an old tank anyway and plan to stay in your home for a while, tankless is worth considering. We’ll walk you through the math so you know what makes sense.
Some basic maintenance—like flushing the tank or testing the pressure relief valve—you can handle yourself if you’re comfortable with it. There are plenty of videos online that walk you through those steps.
But anything involving electrical work, gas lines, or replacing internal components should be left to a licensed plumber. Water heaters operate under pressure and involve either high-voltage electricity or natural gas. One mistake can lead to serious injury, property damage, or even a fire.
Florida also requires permits for water heater replacements, and most insurance companies won’t cover damage caused by unpermitted DIY work. If something goes wrong, you’re on the hook for all of it. Hiring a plumber costs a few hundred dollars. Fixing a flood or electrical fire costs thousands. We’ve seen it happen, and it’s never worth the savings.
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