Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Chicago
Chicago water heaters live in tight places: the back corner of a bungalow basement, a utility closet in a condo, or side by side in a two-flat basement with a pair of furnaces. We repair and replace both tank and tankless units, and Right Away is a certified Navien tankless installer.
Our trucks come into the city from our shop at 2093 Rand Road in Des Plaines — we don't keep a Chicago office — and the northwest side is a short run down the Kennedy.
In plain language: if you have no hot water, a leak, or a heater that's getting old, we'll tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement and what each would involve in your space.
Right Away Plumbing and HVAC is based at 2093 Rand Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
Tank water heaters
Most tank problems come down to a few parts: a pilot or ignition that won't stay lit, a thermocouple or gas control that has failed, a dip tube that broke and mixes cold water in, or sediment that rumbles in the bottom and slows recovery. A leak from the tank itself is not repairable — that tank needs replacing. A leak from a fitting or the relief valve often is.
Venting matters in older city homes. When a furnace sharing the chimney has been replaced with a high-efficiency unit, a gas water heater can be left alone in a large masonry chimney that doesn't draft well. We check venting on every gas water heater call.
Tankless and Navien systems
Tankless heaters save space and run on demand, but they're sensitive to scale, venting and gas supply. Common service calls are error codes from scale buildup in the heat exchanger, venting faults and inlet filters that need cleaning. Regular flushing is part of keeping them running.
As a certified Navien installer, we install and service Navien tankless water heaters, and we'll tell you honestly whether a tankless unit makes sense in your home — gas line size and vent routing in older Chicago buildings sometimes make a tank the more practical choice.
Replacing in tight Chicago spaces
Before quoting a replacement, we look at how the new unit gets in and the old one gets out, the gas line, the vent path, the drain for the relief valve and the shutoffs. In a condo or a two-flat, we also check who owns the space and whether the building has rules about work hours or access.
In plain language: the quote covers the whole job in your space, not just the heater.
What to do first
If the tank is leaking, shut the cold-water valve on top and turn the gas control to off or pilot. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility. Otherwise call 773-250-6060 — same-day visits when the schedule allows.
What we check
- Pilot, ignition and gas control
- Thermostat, dip tube and sediment
- Relief valve and discharge pipe
- Venting and chimney draft
- Tankless error codes, scale and inlet filters
- Gas supply and shutoffs
See our full water heater page, or go back to plumbing and HVAC in Chicago.
Chicago water heater repair questions
Can a leaking water heater be repaired?
If the leak is from a fitting, valve or relief valve, often yes. If the tank itself is leaking, it needs replacement.
Are you a certified Navien installer in Chicago?
Yes. Right Away is a certified Navien installer and services Navien tankless water heaters at Chicago addresses.
Does a tankless water heater work in an older Chicago home?
Often, but not always. Gas line size and vent routing decide it. We check both before recommending tankless.
How often should a tankless water heater be flushed?
It depends on your water and how much hot water you use. We'll check the unit for scale and recommend an interval for your home.
Which number do I call for water heater repair in Chicago?
Call 773-250-6060.
Request water heater repair in Chicago
Call 773-250-6060 or request service online. Same-day visits when the schedule allows. We are licensed, bonded and insured.