Water heater installation and plumbing system maintenance

When Your Hot Water Stops, You Need It Fixed Today

You count on hot water every morning. When it stops, your whole routine stops with it.

A cold shower is one thing. A water heater that’s leaking, making sounds it never made before, or delivering water that looks or smells wrong is something else entirely. Not knowing whether you’re looking at a quick fix or a failing system makes the situation more stressful than it needs to be.

Universe Home Services sends out licensed plumbers who diagnose the problem accurately and tell you exactly what it will take to fix it. Contact us online to get scheduled today.

(516) 473-0202


24/7 Emergency Water Heater Repairs

An actively leaking water heater can cause real damage in a short window, so the moment you notice a leak, a complete loss of hot water, or anything that looks like a safety concern, pick up the phone.

Universe runs 24/7 emergency water heater repair across Long Island and dispatches a licensed plumber to stop the problem and restore service.

(516) 473-0202


Your Neighborhood Has Licensed Plumbers Ready

A large share of Long Island homes deal with hard water from the tap, and Long Island, Rockland County & Bergen County water carries the mineral content that accelerates sediment buildup inside water heater tanks, corrodes anode rods faster than in softer water markets, and shortens the working life of heating elements in electric units.

Universe has been serving Long Island homeowners since 1954, and our plumbers know what local water does to these systems because they’ve been repairing the results of it across Levittown, Merrick, Copiague, and communities throughout the island for decades. Contact us online to schedule your water heater repair today.

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Homes Serviced Annually

(516) 473-0202

Your Water Heater Repair, Step by Step

From your first call to the moment your water heater is working again, the path forward is straightforward.

Call or reach out online, and we’ll ask the right questions about your water heater: type, fuel source, age, and what you’re experiencing. Same-day service is available across Long Island in most cases, or immediately when there’s an active leak.

Your plumber arrives on time and starts by hearing what you’ve noticed: the symptoms, when it started, anything that changed recently. From there, the full system gets inspected. Tank, thermostat, heating elements or burner, anode rod, pressure relief valve, supply connections, and flue if applicable. Water heater problems aren’t always what they look like on the surface, and the goal is the root cause.

Once the diagnosis is complete, you’ll hear what was found in plain language and receive the cost before any work begins. Once you approve, the repair is completed using quality parts, and the system is tested before your plumber leaves.


What Our Customers Are Saying

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

4.8
Based on 7605 reviews
Paul Reh
5 days ago
I received a quote on replacing an older existing central air conditioning for my home last summer from Frank Barczik. I didnโ€™t decide to purchase at that time. Last week an emergency situation developed and I called Frank. He quickly and professionally sent me a new quote. I decided to go ahead with the replacement. He stopped by to double check everything. Universe was able to have an installation crew at my home the next day. The crew worked neatly and diligently throughout the day to install the system by 5 pm. Frank stopped by midday to check on everything. The installers were polite and knew what they were doing. I am very satisfied with the work that was done. If you want a professional job done right the first time with a great company that stands behind their work, choose Universe.
Mary Vargas
1 week ago
Connor Tomaszewski is one of the best technicians out there and the only one who truly knows Navien boilers inside and out. His work is outstanding, and he is always professional, knowledgeable, and reliable. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for top-quality service!
We recently hired Universe for our oil to gas conversion, along with some related work. Everyone who worked on these projects was professional and a pleasure to deal with. In particular, Nikki LaCava did a wonderful job coordinating the work and assisting with our permits and other required paperwork. Brian Gerle and Hayden Muttee did a fantastic job installing the gas piping for the project, while Sal Tarantino and his crew (Hayden Muttee and Nick DiGiacomo) also did fantastic and efficient work removing our old furnace and hot water heater and installing the new equipment. Additionally, Christopher Martin did a great job fixing an interim problem with our old hot water heater before the final conversion was completed. Thanks to you all for a job very well done – each one of you deserves a five-star review! Thank you again for everything, Craig and Claudine Livingston
Paula Condit
1 week ago
Dawid Boroch and Tyler Quintero came to upgrade my electric, replace box inside and outside. Fantastic job done. Neat clean and knowledgeable. Explained all! Very happy with Universe
JG
2 weeks ago
June 2026 The pump from my washing machine decided to stop working a few nights ago. What a disaster! Thank goodness I had the gizmo on the floor that starts beeping when water hits it because it could have been a lot worse. The water in the pump kept pouring out until it was empty. I called Universe and Melanie F. came over. She evaluated the situation and made plans to come back the following day to install a new pump. I was so impressed with Melanie. Her recommendations on the new pump worked out great. I was so pleased with Melanie's professionalism and knowledge that she's coming back soon to install the automatic water main shut off when it senses a leak. Once again I highly recommend Universe and Melanie F.! April 2026 Nick S. came to do the yearly service for my air conditioning. Nick is great and very up front which I like. After almost 17 years I need a new system. Ugh! He brought me outside and showed me all the reasons why it should be replaced. I could wait & see but didnโ€™t want to risk it so Saturday Iโ€™ll be getting a new system. It just needs to be done. I was very happy Nick explained everything to me. Heโ€™s very knowledgeable & friendly. I would also like to acknowledge the following employees from Universe who all had some part of the installation of my furnace, compressor and humidifier. Everyone who came to my house were so friendly and respectful. The guys all explained what was being done. They also installed an Air Scrubber which purifies my system of spores, etc. The employees are Tommy Ercolano, Matt Drury, Carlos Caceros, Justin Quan-Soon, Jamell Smith and Karl Rindfleisch. All were fabulous. And I can't forget Chester Sacknievich who came back to fix an issue I was having and figured out the solution. Chester is great. I highly recommend Universe. Their employees go above and beyond!!
Vanessa Arnone
2 weeks ago
Our water heater unexpectedly had to be replaced after National Grid identified it as a safety concern before reconnecting our gas service. Needless to say, it was a very stressful and completely unexpected situation. From my very first phone call, everyone at Universe Home Services was kind, patient, and incredibly helpful. They understood the urgency and had a technician at my home much sooner than I expected. Jeff Madonia was outstanding. He took the time to thoroughly inspect everything, patiently answered every question I had, and never made me feel rushed or like I was inconveniencing him. He explained my options clearly, walked me through the estimates on his tablet, and made sure I understood everything before moving forward. Initially, it looked like the installation might have to wait until the following morning. I asked if there was any chance it could be done the same day, and Jeff immediately went to see what he could do. A few minutes later, he came back and told me they were going to make it happen that day. That level of customer service meant so much during a stressful situation. I also appreciated how respectful Jeff was while working in my home. Even when I had left the door unlocked while he was moving equipment in and out, he always knocked before coming back inside. That level of professionalism and respect stood out to me and made a stressful situation much easier. The entire experience, from the first phone call through the completed installation, was professional, efficient, and reassuring. Jeffโ€™s kindness, knowledge, and willingness to go the extra mile made all the difference. Thank you, Jeff, and thank you to the Universe Home Services team.
I had an issue with my HVAC, and Universal was able to send someone out very quickly. Both Chester and Dawid were knowledgeable, professional, efficient, and very respectful of my home. They diagnosed and fixed the problem promptly, and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Thank you for your excellent service! I will definitely use Universal again in the future and highly recommend them.
Anthony Hartmann
3 weeks ago
Excellent work by Patrick for a light fixture and hard wiring for a video doorbell with chime.
Michael Greer
3 weeks ago
Universe responded promptly to my service call and the technician was very friendly and knowledgeable. We had to wait a few days for the parts, but when it arrived (new sewage ejector pump) the repair was done quickly and everything worked perfectly.
howard valan
4 weeks ago
Tim the technician answered all my questions to my satisfaction and explained all my options thoroughly. His work solved my issue and he offered some insight into a replacement unit if I opted to do so.
Desiree Boucher
4 weeks ago
I had a great experience with Universe Home Services. I initially left a message on their call system and received a call back with 30 minutes from Laurie. I explained my concern and issue we were having with out Central AC and she was able to schedule service for that same day. I received text messages with arrival time, when the technician was on their way, and when they arrived at my home. Our service technician was Bob Grillo. He was super personable, kind and very thorough in his process. He answered all my questions and explained exactly what he was doing as he was troubleshooting. I had a great experience overall with the customer service as well as the job completion and would highly recommend Universe Home Services and Bob as the technician.
Danny Sutton from Sales was amazing.without him this was not possible.so kind and empathetic towards customer amazing service From the crew who was here to install the air condition Sean Dany Jared Brian Very professional polite and extremely knowledgeable They worked so efficiently and kept the area clean that you could not feel that a big job was completed after they left. I will recommend Universe home service to everyone out there who is looking for a reliable company.
shelly bansal
4 weeks ago
VERY. GOOD. SERVICES. THEY. COVER. GAURENTEE. FOR 5. YEARS. GOOD PRICE. TONY. ASHMAVI. THE. BEST. WHO. EXPLAINED. ALL DETAILS. AND. GIVE. GOOD PRICE. TOP. RATED. THANKS TO. UNIVERSAL. HOME. SERVICES
Scott Faucheux
4 weeks ago
We have used Universe now for a few installations, Anthony recently swapped out a toilet for us, cleared out a major blockage on a sewer line and Vidal just installed a whole house filtration system for us after our previous system failed on our 1929 house. They have been very polite, knowledgeable and efficient and have always given us fair and tiered options with pricing. We would highly recommend their services.
Justin Bridges
4 weeks ago
Micheal was a great technician, perfectly on time, fast detailed diagnosis, made quick work of the repair work, communicated everything. Universal did all my installations of all new HVAC and I always trust them with the maintenance.
Mario Sesso
1 month ago
Ac repair
Donna Cincotta
1 month ago
Kevin came to my home, evacuated the problem and detailed the situation to me. He ordered the new ductless equipment and installed it the next day. Kevin was professional, honest, neat and made sure the air conditioning was working properly. For my air conditioning units and repairs, I wouldnโ€™t go anyplace else.
The team was incredibly professional, friendly and worked efficiently to get the job done. I had a great experience
fran lucher
1 month ago
Came within reasonable time, fixed problem & checked for other possible issues.
William Funcheon
1 month ago
Dean, your technician is definitely an asset to your company. He was so thorough and kind. I canโ€™t say enough about him!
Laurence Andrews
1 month ago
I am pleased with the the service man that came out. He is very knowledgeable and professional
Donna Mckeon
1 month ago
Our service person Sean was great. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Answered all questions we had. Definitely will use Universe home services again
I canโ€™t say enough good things about Universe home services and repairs. We have been a customer of Universe for years. Recently we had a plumbing issue and they were wonderful. Jeff the plumber was very professional and a pleasure to work with. We have also worked with Marc on a gas conversion. He was very knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. Great company with quality people! Update June 2026 – another 5 stars for Universe Home Services and electrician Dawid Boroch. Dawid was very professional, knowledgeable, and his work is exceptional. He explained the scope of the job and answered our questions before beginning his work and walked us through the results afterwards. Dawid was an absolute pleasure to work with and we highly recommend him!
Marie kopczynski
1 month ago
Very professional Answer all my questions Did a great job
Ronald Goebel
1 month ago
Chester was the best service tech we ever had. A real credit to Universe-friendly, knowledgeable and thorough in his work

Universe Home Services service vehicle for local home repairs

(516) 473-0202

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair

Water heater problems show up in different ways depending on what’s actually failing.

Our licensed plumbers handle the full range of issues, from sediment buildup to thermostat failures to pressure concerns.

A water heater that produces no hot water at all, or that runs out faster than it used to, points to a failed heating element in electric units, a burner or thermocouple issue in gas units, or a thermostat problem in either. Long Island’s hard water accelerates element corrosion in electric water heaters across Hicksville, Bethpage, and Plainview, so the diagnosis identifies which component has failed and what it takes to restore full capacity.

A thermostat that’s reading incorrectly or failing to hold its setting delivers water at the wrong temperature regardless of how you adjust it. This is one of the more common service calls we handle in older homes around Levittown, Hempstead, and Westbury where original water heater equipment is often pushed well past its service life. Testing, calibrating, or replacing the thermostat gets your system responding to your settings correctly.

That rumbling or popping sound from your water heater tank almost always points to sediment buildup on the bottom. Long Island’s hard water deposits calcium and magnesium as scale over time, and that scale traps water underneath it that steams and pops during heating, which is why homeowners in Wantagh, Seaford, and Baldwin call us for this regularly. Flushing the tank and clearing the sediment gets the system running quietly and efficiently again.

When your hot water runs rusty or brown, the cause is usually corrosion inside the tank or a depleted anode rod that’s no longer protecting the tank lining. A sulfur smell in hot water usually means bacterial growth in a tank set too low. This is a common call from homes in Massapequa, Bellmore, and Oceanside where older tanks run cooler than current code recommends. The anode rod gets inspected and replaced if needed, and the system is brought to correct operating temperature.

A leak at the supply connections is often a fitting that can be reseated or replaced, which is the most common call we get from split-level and ranch homes across Syosset, Mineola, and Garden City where original copper fittings have aged out. A leak from the pressure relief valve means the valve is doing its job by discharging to prevent overpressure, but the underlying pressure issue still needs to be found. A leak from the tank itself is a different conversation, and you’ll hear honestly what the leak source means for the system before any decision is made.

A pressure relief valve that’s discharging, dripping, or has never been tested is a safety issue, because this valve protects your water heater from dangerous overpressure. We handle these calls regularly in Lindenhurst, Amityville, and Babylon, where older installations often have valves that were never tested after the original install. Testing the valve, replacing it if it isn’t functioning correctly, and confirming system pressure is within safe range keeps your home protected.

Why Long Island, Rockland County & Bergen County Homeowners Trust Universe for Water Heater Repair

Choosing who handles your water heater repair in Garden City, Syosset, West Babylon, or anywhere across Long Island matters when you need it done right the first time.

A licensed plumber who responds fast and tells you the truth about what they find is what separates a real fix from a callback.

Every water heater repair Universe completes is performed by a licensed plumber. That matters when the work involves gas supply lines, pressure relief valves, and water supply connections that affect the safety of your home.

Most water heater repair calls are handled same day, and for active leaks in Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, Huntington, Rockville Centre, or anywhere we serve, 24/7 service means you aren’t left managing water damage while waiting for help.

You’ll hear what was found and what it costs to fix before any work begins, so the price you approve is the price on the invoice. No scope creep, no surprise add-ons when the work is complete.

Universe is a BBB Accredited Business and PHCC member, and every water heater repair is backed by those standards.

(516) 473-0202


(516) 473-0202

Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?

When your water heater needs a significant repair, replacement is a fair question to ask.

Both options get an honest read with no pressure in either direction, based on the system in front of us and what the next five years look like.

Tank water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years, but hard water on Long Island shortens that range by accelerating corrosion and sediment buildup inside the tank. A unit under 8 years old with an isolated component failure is almost always worth repairing, while one past 10 to 12 years facing a significant repair, especially if the tank itself is corroding, is worth a replacement conversation.

A water heater that has needed service more than once in the past year is wearing out across multiple components. When repair costs approach half the cost of a new unit, replacement delivers more reliability per dollar than continued investment in aging equipment.

An older water heater losing efficiency runs longer to deliver the same amount of hot water, which shows up on your energy bill. On Long Island, where PSEG electricity rates run among the highest in the country, the monthly savings from a newer high-efficiency unit add up faster than in most other markets.

A tank showing rust on the exterior, a history of leaks from the tank body itself, or corrosion visible at fittings and connections has reached the end of its practical life. Your plumber gives you an honest assessment of what’s actually in front of them before any decision is made.


Take Care of Your Whole Home with the Home Comfort Club

Take Care of Your Whole Home with the Home Comfort Club

The easiest way to stay ahead of breakdowns is a membership that covers the systems your whole home depends on, not just one of them.

The Home Comfort Club is Universe’s whole-home membership, giving you two pre-scheduled semi-annual maintenance visits, priority scheduling when something does go wrong, no dispatch fee on any service work, and a 24-hour emergency service guarantee.

Heating, cooling, ducted and ductless mini-splits, boilers, heat pumps, and a basic visual plumbing inspection all fall under one plan. Contact us to learn how the membership works.

Green Universe Van parked on the side of residential street



Schedule Water Heater Repair Across Long Island, Rockland County & Bergen County

When you need a licensed plumber who diagnoses the problem, explains what they found, and completes the water heater repair correctly, Universe is the call.

Whether you’re in Massapequa, Dix Hills, Amityville, Valley Stream, or anywhere across Long Island, every call gets the same thoroughness. Contact our team for your water heater repair. Free estimates are available on replacement if that’s the direction the conversation goes.

Universe Home Services Technician near open van doors


Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Repair

How do I know if my water heater needs repair or replacement?

Age and the nature of the failure are the two biggest factors. A water heater under 8 years old with a failed thermostat or heating element is almost always worth repairing, while one past 10 to 12 years with a leaking tank, heavy corrosion, or a pattern of failures is usually a replacement candidate. On Long Island, where hard water shortens working life across Long Island, Rockland County & Bergen County, pattern of failure is often the clearer signal than age alone. A licensed plumber gives you an honest read after seeing the system.

Is a leaking water heater dangerous?

It depends on where the leak is coming from. A dripping pressure relief valve means the valve is doing its job, but something is driving excess pressure that needs attention. A leak at supply connections is usually straightforward, while a leak from the tank body itself points to internal corrosion. Any active leak warrants a call, and one spreading water across the floor warrants an emergency call given how quickly water damage compounds in finished Long Island basements.

How long does a water heater repair typically take?

Most water heater repair calls are completed in a single visit. Common repairs including thermostat replacement, heating element replacement, anode rod replacement, and tank flushing are handled with parts carried on the service vehicle. More complex repairs involving gas supply components or pressure relief valve replacement may require additional time or a parts order.

Does hard water really affect water heaters on Long Island?

Yes, significantly. Long Island, Rockland County & Bergen County water carries mineral content that deposits as scale inside the tank and on heating elements over time, which reduces efficiency, causes the rumbling and popping sounds homeowners notice, and shortens the working life of the unit. Annual maintenance that flushes sediment and inspects the anode rod is the most effective way to offset it, and a whole-home water softener addresses the issue at the source.

Do you repair both tank and tankless water heaters?

Yes. Universe services both traditional tank water heaters and tankless units, covering gas and electric models across all major brands. If you want to confirm we service your specific equipment before scheduling, reach out and we’ll confirm.

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