Hear from Our Customers
You’re not calling a plumber because everything’s fine. You’re calling because your morning routine just got derailed, or you noticed a puddle spreading across the garage floor, or your utility bill jumped for no clear reason.
Here’s what changes after we fix it. Your water heater stops being something you think about. Showers run hot when you turn the handle. Your floors stay dry. Your energy bill drops back to normal because the system isn’t working overtime to heat water through layers of sediment.
In Audubon and across Brevard County, Florida’s humidity and mineral-heavy water create the perfect conditions for water heater problems. Scale builds up faster here. Corrosion happens sooner. A small leak turns into mold before you realize there’s a problem. When we repair your hot water heater, we’re not just fixing today’s issue—we’re addressing what caused it and what’s likely to cause the next one if left unchecked.
Drain Wizard is a family-owned plumbing company based in Brevard County. Carl, the owner and licensed master plumber, personally oversees every job. He’s got over 40 years of hands-on plumbing experience and 20+ years of military service behind him, which means he shows up on time, does what he says he’ll do, and doesn’t leave until it’s done right.
We’ve been serving Audubon and the Space Coast since 2007. That’s long enough to know how Florida’s water destroys heating elements, how the summer heat in your garage stresses tank systems, and which water heater brands hold up better in this climate. We’re not a franchise. We’re local, and we’re here when your water heater isn’t.
First, we show up when we say we will. You tell us what’s going on—no hot water, strange noises, visible leak, whatever tipped you off. We inspect the unit, check the heating elements, test the thermostat, look for corrosion or sediment buildup, and assess whether it’s a repair or replacement situation.
Then we explain what we found in plain terms. If it’s a failing heating element, we tell you. If your tank is corroded through and leaking, we tell you that too. We give you the options, the costs, and what makes sense for your situation. No upselling. No scare tactics.
If you want us to fix it, we do it right there—most repairs happen same-day. If it’s a replacement, we walk you through what that looks like, how long it takes, and what it costs. Once the work’s done, we test everything, clean up, and make sure your hot water is back on before we leave. If you’ve got questions later, you call us. That’s it.
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We handle all types of hot water heaters—gas, electric, tankless, and traditional tank systems. That includes diagnosing the problem, repairing or replacing faulty components like heating elements, thermostats, pressure relief valves, and anode rods. If your water heater is leaking from the tank itself, we’ll tell you straight up that it needs replacing, not patching.
In Audubon and Brevard County, hard water is a given. Our water supply is loaded with calcium and magnesium, which means sediment builds up fast. We flush tanks, clear buildup, and recommend maintenance schedules that actually prevent problems instead of just reacting to them. Florida’s humidity accelerates rust and corrosion, especially if your unit sits in a garage or outside. We check for that and address it before it turns into a bigger issue.
If you’re dealing with an emergency—water pooling on the floor, no hot water in the middle of winter, or a system that just quit—we prioritize getting you back online. We also handle water heater installations if repair isn’t the right move. Our goal is to give you a system that works reliably in Florida’s conditions, not just one that technically functions.
Age is the biggest factor. Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and in Florida, that timeline is often shorter because of hard water and humidity. If your unit is over 10 years old and you’re seeing problems—inconsistent hot water, rust-colored water, strange noises, or visible leaks—replacement usually makes more sense than repair.
If it’s newer and the issue is a failed heating element, bad thermostat, or worn pressure relief valve, repair is straightforward and cost-effective. But if the tank itself is leaking, there’s no fixing that. Tanks leak because of internal corrosion, and once that starts, the unit is done.
We’ll inspect your system and give you an honest assessment. If it’s worth repairing, we’ll tell you. If you’re throwing money at a system that’s going to fail again in six months, we’ll tell you that too. The decision is yours, but we make sure you’ve got the facts to make it.
Sediment buildup is the most common cause, especially in Audubon and Brevard County where the water is full of minerals. Over time, calcium and magnesium settle at the bottom of the tank and create a layer of insulation between the heating element and the water. Your system has to work harder and longer to heat the same amount of water, and eventually it can’t keep up.
A failing heating element will do the same thing. If one of the two elements in your electric water heater burns out, you’ll get some hot water, but not enough. The thermostat could also be set too low or malfunctioning, which limits how hot the water gets in the first place.
If your household’s hot water demand has increased—more people, longer showers, new appliances—your current tank might just be undersized. We can assess whether your system is broken or simply too small for your needs. Either way, you’ll know what’s causing the problem and what it takes to fix it.
That’s sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. When water gets trapped under the layer of mineral deposits, it boils and creates steam bubbles that pop and bang as they escape. It sounds worse than it is, but it’s a sign your water heater isn’t operating efficiently.
Florida’s hard water accelerates this. The more minerals in your water, the faster sediment accumulates. If you’ve never had your tank flushed, or if it’s been a few years, that’s likely what’s happening. Flushing the tank clears out the sediment and usually stops the noise.
If the noise persists after flushing, you could have a more serious issue—like a crack forming in the tank or a heating element that’s failing. We inspect the system to figure out what’s actually going on. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, and sediment buildup reduces your water heater’s lifespan and efficiency.
Most repairs take a couple of hours, start to finish. If we’re replacing a heating element, thermostat, or pressure relief valve, that’s a same-day fix. We drain the tank if needed, swap out the faulty part, test the system, and make sure everything’s working before we leave.
If the repair is more involved—like addressing a gas valve issue or dealing with extensive corrosion—it might take longer, but we’ll tell you upfront what to expect. We don’t drag jobs out. We get it done right the first time so you’re not dealing with the same problem next week.
If your water heater needs to be replaced instead of repaired, that’s typically a same-day or next-day job depending on availability and whether we need to pull permits. We’ll walk you through the timeline before any work starts so there are no surprises.
It depends on where the leak is coming from. If water is dripping from the pressure relief valve, a pipe connection, or the drain valve, those are repairable. We can replace the valve or tighten the connection, and you’re good to go.
But if the tank itself is leaking—meaning water is seeping from the tank body—that’s not fixable. Tank leaks happen because of internal corrosion, and once the steel tank rusts through, there’s no patching it. The unit needs to be replaced.
In Florida’s humid climate, especially in Brevard County, tank corrosion happens faster than in drier regions. If your water heater is older and you’re seeing water pooling around the base, that’s usually a sign the tank is done. We’ll inspect it, confirm the source of the leak, and let you know whether you’re looking at a quick fix or a full replacement.
Once a year is the standard recommendation, and in Florida, that’s not optional if you want your system to last. Annual maintenance includes flushing the tank to remove sediment, inspecting the anode rod, testing the pressure relief valve, and checking for signs of corrosion or leaks.
Florida’s mineral-rich water means sediment builds up faster here than in most other states. If you skip maintenance, that buildup insulates the heating element, forces your system to work harder, and shortens its lifespan. Regular flushing keeps your water heater running efficiently and prevents premature failure.
If your water heater is over 8 years old, or if you’ve noticed any changes—longer heat-up times, strange noises, fluctuating water temperature—don’t wait for the annual service. Call us. Catching problems early saves you money and keeps you from dealing with an emergency breakdown when you least expect it.
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