There are few things more frustrating than stepping into the shower and being hit with ice-cold water — especially on a chilly Louisiana morning. If your water heater has stopped producing hot water, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common service calls we receive from homeowners across the Shreveport area, and the good news is that most causes are diagnosable and fixable quickly when you know what to look for.
At Mark Johnson & Sons Plumbing, we’ve been diagnosing and repairing water heaters across Northwest and North Louisiana for over 27 years. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons your water heater isn’t doing its job — and how to know when it’s time to call a licensed plumber for same-day water heater repair in Shreveport.
1. Pilot Light Has Gone Out (Gas Water Heaters)
If you have a gas water heater and suddenly have no hot water at all, the first thing to check is the pilot light. The pilot light is a small, continuous flame that ignites the burner when your water heater needs to heat up. When it goes out, the burner can’t fire — and you get cold water.
Why does the pilot light go out?
- A sudden draft or gust of air that extinguishes the flame
- A dirty or faulty thermocouple (the safety sensor that keeps the gas valve open)
- A clogged pilot orifice that restricts gas flow
- Low gas pressure or a temporarily interrupted gas supply
On many modern water heaters, you can relight the pilot yourself by following the instructions on the unit’s label. However, if the pilot won’t stay lit after relighting — which typically points to a failed thermocouple — that’s a job for a plumber. Replacing a thermocouple is an inexpensive repair, but it requires turning off the gas supply and working safely around gas components.
When to call: If the pilot won’t stay lit after two or three attempts, or if you smell gas near the unit at any point, stop and call a professional immediately.
2. Burned-Out Heating Element (Electric Water Heaters)
Electric water heaters use one or two heating elements — similar to the element inside an electric oven — to heat the water in the tank. Over time, these elements can burn out due to sediment buildup, power surges, or simply age.
Signs of a failed heating element:
- No hot water at all (if both elements have failed)
- Lukewarm water that runs out quickly (if only the upper element has failed)
- Hot water in short bursts followed by cold water (if only the lower element has failed)
Replacing a heating element is a common and cost-effective repair — but it does require draining the tank, working with electrical connections, and knowing which element has actually failed. A plumber can test both elements quickly with a multimeter and replace the faulty one on the spot.
If you’re experiencing intermittent hot water or lukewarm temperatures in your Shreveport home, a bad heating element is one of the most likely culprits.
3. Sediment Buildup in the Tank
Over the years, minerals naturally present in water — particularly calcium and magnesium — settle to the bottom of your water heater tank and form a layer of sediment. This is an especially common issue in areas with hard water, which is prevalent throughout much of Northwest Louisiana.
How sediment affects your hot water:
- It insulates the water from the burner or heating element, making it harder to heat the tank efficiently
- It forces the water heater to work harder and run longer, increasing wear and energy bills
- It can eventually crack or damage the tank lining, leading to leaks
- It reduces the volume of usable hot water in the tank
You may notice a rumbling, popping, or knocking sound coming from the water heater — that’s often sediment being agitated by the heating process. Annual flushing of the tank can prevent this buildup from becoming a serious problem. If sediment has been accumulating for several years without maintenance, a professional flush combined with an inspection can restore performance and extend the unit’s lifespan.
Our water heater service includes tank flushing as part of our routine maintenance visits — something we recommend every 12 months for Shreveport and Caddo Parish homeowners.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Your water heater’s thermostat controls the temperature at which the unit heats the water. If the thermostat malfunctions, it can cause the water to be too cold, too hot, or inconsistently heated.
Common thermostat problems:
- Set too low: The factory default is often around 120°F. If someone turned it down or it was accidentally adjusted, you may just need to increase the temperature setting.
- Faulty thermostat: If the thermostat itself has failed, it may not signal the heating element or burner to turn on — resulting in cold or lukewarm water despite the dial being set correctly.
- Wiring issues: On electric water heaters, loose or corroded wiring to the thermostat can interrupt the signal entirely.
Electric water heaters typically have two thermostats (one for each element). If both fail simultaneously — which can happen after a power surge — you’ll have no hot water at all. A licensed plumber can test each thermostat individually and replace only what’s needed, saving you the cost of unnecessary parts.
5. The Water Heater Has Reached the End of Its Lifespan
Even when there’s no single dramatic failure, an aging water heater will gradually lose its ability to heat water efficiently. Most traditional tank water heaters have a lifespan of 8–12 years. If your unit is approaching or past that range and you’re experiencing problems, repairs may only delay the inevitable.
Signs it may be time for replacement rather than repair:
- The unit is over 10 years old
- You’ve had multiple repairs within the past year or two
- There’s visible rust or corrosion on the tank or in the hot water coming from your taps
- The tank is leaking around the base (this is rarely repairable)
- Energy bills have increased noticeably without a change in usage
When repair costs exceed 50% of the cost of a new unit, replacement is almost always the better investment. Our plumbers can give you an honest, no-pressure assessment of your unit and help you compare repair versus replacement options — including energy-efficient tankless models that are increasingly popular among Shreveport homeowners.
Other Possible Causes Worth Checking
Before calling a plumber, there are a few quick things you can check yourself:
- Tripped circuit breaker: For electric water heaters, check your breaker panel. The circuit dedicated to the water heater may have tripped. Reset it and wait 30–60 minutes to see if hot water returns.
- Pressure relief valve: If the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve is stuck open, it may be venting heat continuously. Do not attempt to force it closed — call a plumber.
- Hot water demand: If your household demand has increased (guests, new appliances), your existing water heater may simply not be keeping up. This could signal that it’s undersized for your current needs.
Repair vs. Replacement: How We Help Shreveport Homeowners Decide
One of the most common questions our technicians get is: “Should I repair my water heater or just replace it?” The honest answer depends on the age of the unit, the nature of the problem, and the cost of the repair compared to a new installation.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb we use:
- Unit is under 6 years old: Repair almost always makes sense unless the tank itself is leaking.
- Unit is 6–10 years old: Evaluate repair cost vs. replacement cost. If repair is minor, proceed. If it’s major (tank, multiple components), lean toward replacement.
- Unit is over 10 years old: Replacement is usually the better long-term value, especially if the unit has needed repairs before.
Our water heater specialists will give you a straight answer — not an upsell. We’ve built our reputation in Shreveport and across North Louisiana on honest service since 1997, and that’s not changing.
When to Call Mark Johnson & Sons Plumbing for Water Heater Repair in Shreveport
While some water heater issues have simple DIY fixes (like resetting a tripped breaker or relighting a pilot light), most require the tools, training, and safety awareness of a licensed plumber. You should call us right away if:
- You smell gas near the water heater
- The tank is visibly leaking
- You have no hot water and basic checks haven’t resolved it
- The water coming from your taps is discolored or smells unusual
- You hear loud popping, rumbling, or banging from the unit
- The pilot light won’t stay lit
We offer same-day water heater diagnosis and repair throughout the Shreveport area, including Caddo and Bossier parishes. Our technicians arrive fully stocked with common parts so we can complete most repairs in a single visit.
Schedule Your Water Heater Repair in Shreveport Today
Don’t go another day without reliable hot water. Mark Johnson & Sons Plumbing has served Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana homeowners for over 27 years with honest, dependable plumbing service. We’re veteran-owned, family-operated, and BBB A+ accredited — and we’re available 24/7 for emergency calls.
Call us today at (318) 319-0220 or contact us online to schedule your same-day water heater repair or diagnosis. We’ll get your hot water back on fast.
