I smell gas near my water heater, what do I do?

Leave the gas valve on the unit alone if you are not sure how to shut it off safely, get everyone out of the immediate area, and call us right away. Do not use any switches or open flame near the smell.

My water heater is leaking, should I shut off the water?

Yes. Shut off the cold water supply valve at the top of the tank if you can reach it safely, and shut off the gas or electric supply to the unit. That stops the leak from getting worse while we are on the way.

Can a leaking tank be repaired instead of replaced?

No. A leak from the tank body itself means the steel has corroded through and the tank cannot be repaired. A leak from a fitting or valve on top of the tank often can be.

Do you carry replacement tanks for emergency same-day installs?

We carry common tank sizes for emergency replacement so a household is not without hot water longer than necessary. Availability depends on the specific unit and time of day.

Is a pilot light that will not stay lit an emergency?

Not usually. It is worth a same-day call so you are not without hot water, but it does not carry the same risk as a gas smell or an active leak.

How much does a plumber cost in the Denver metro?

Cost depends on the job, not a flat menu. Afford-A-Rooter scopes the work first, then gives you a free quote before anything starts, so you approve the number in advance. Drain and rooter calls sit at the lower end. Sewer line and water line repairs sit higher because they involve locating, access, and restoration.

How fast can you get here, and how long will the work take?

Most standard repairs are booked for the next available window and finished in one visit. Drain cleaning and fixture work usually take a few hours. Sewer and water line work can take a day or more because of excavation and inspection. You get a realistic time window up front, not a guess.

Do you handle emergency plumbing at night and on weekends?

Yes. Afford-A-Rooter runs 24/7 emergency plumbing across the Denver metro. Call for active leaks, sewage backups, no hot water, and burst pipes. Shut off the water at the main valve first, then call so we can stage the right truck.

Is your plumbing work guaranteed, and are you licensed?

Afford-A-Rooter is a Colorado Master Plumber and licensed Colorado State Plumbing Contractor, family owned and serving Denver since 2006. Work is performed to code, permitted where required, and backed by a workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer warranties apply to installed equipment such as water heaters.

Emergency Water Heater Repair, Denver Metro

An active leak, a gas smell, or a house with no hot water at all is not a wait-and-see problem. We answer emergency water heater calls around the clock across the Denver metro.

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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the Denver area.

24/7 emergency response for leaks and no hot water
Gas smell and shutoff guidance on the phone before we arrive
Same-visit repair or replacement decision

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What counts as a water heater emergency?

A slow drip at a fitting can usually wait for a scheduled repair. Water actively pooling from the tank itself, a gas smell near the unit, or a household with zero hot water on a cold night cannot. We treat those as emergency calls because the risk is water damage, gas exposure, or a household going without hot water in Denver's winter.

Water pooling under or around the tank means the tank body has failed
A gas smell near the unit means shut off the gas valve and call immediately
No hot water anywhere in the house often points to a failed element, thermostat, or gas control valve
A tank that is hot to the touch on the outside or making unusual sounds under pressure needs prompt attention

Call now if

You smell gas near the water heater
Water is actively pooling on the floor
There is no hot water anywhere in the house
The tank is unusually hot to the touch or hissing
The T and P valve is discharging continuously

Wider view of the work area, failed water heater leaking in a Denver metro basement

What emergency service covers

Phone guidance on shutting off gas or water before we arrive
On-site diagnosis of leaks, gas control valves, and electrical failures
Emergency repair where the tank itself is sound
Emergency replacement when the tank has failed
Water damage assessment near the unit

What happens on an emergency call

1
Phone triage
We tell you how to shut off gas or water safely before a technician is on site.
2
Rapid diagnosis
We identify whether the tank, gas control, or electrical side has failed.
3
Repair or replace on the spot
Most emergency calls are resolved same visit, with pricing explained first.
4
Confirm safety and hot water
We verify gas connections, venting, and hot water at the fixtures before leaving.

Replacing an emergency-failed tank is a good time to weigh tankless. See the full comparison.

Tank versus tankless water heaters

Answered around the clock

Colorado Master PlumberA licensed master plumber signs off on gas, venting, and combustion air decisions, not just the swap of a heating element.
Plumbing Contractor license 2110Licensed as a Colorado State Plumbing Contractor to pull the permit a water heater replacement requires and carry it through inspection.
Front Range hard water experienceDenver's mineral-heavy water scales tanks and elements faster than soft water climates, and that shapes how we diagnose and maintain units here.

Ready when you are

Tell us what is happening and your Denver neighborhood. We will route it fast.

(720) 296-7972 Request a Free Quote

What affects emergency pricing

Emergency calls are quoted before work starts, the same as scheduled work, with the time of day factored in.

Request a Free Quote (720) 296-7972

Need help right now? 24/7 emergency plumbing service. Planning a larger repair? See financing options.

Time of day and day of week
Repair versus emergency replacement
Extent of any water damage near the unit
Gas versus electric unit

Emergency water heater questions

Colorado Master Plumber
License MP-00189274
Colorado State Plumbing Contractor
License 2110
Family Owned & Operated
Serving Denver since 2006, 20 years
Better Business Bureau
Accredited Business, A+ rating
Angie's List Super Service Award
2012 through 2017
Serving Denver since 2006
Residential and commercial properties across the metro

More water heater services

Problems this work solves

No hot water or an active leak? Call now

Answered 24 hours a day across the Denver metro.

Get a Free Quote (720) 296-7972