Why Is My Water Heater Not Heating? | Long Beach Plumbing Tips
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Why Is My Water Heater Not Heating?
Long Beach Plumbing Tips from Goodboy Plumbing
Living in Long Beach, it’s easy to take your water heater for granted—until the hot water stops flowing. Whether you’re getting nothing but cold water or the temperature keeps fluctuating, there’s usually a reason behind the issue.
In this post, we’ll go over the most common reasons your water heater may not be heating, how Long Beach homes can be especially prone to these problems, and when to call in a pro.
Common Reasons Your Water Heater Isn’t Heating
1. Pilot Light Is Out (Gas Water Heaters)
If you have a gas water heater and suddenly lose hot water, the pilot light may have gone out. This can happen due to a draft, dirt in the burner, or a faulty thermocouple.
2. Tripped Circuit Breaker (Electric Water Heaters)
For electric water heaters, a tripped breaker or blown fuse is often the culprit. Check your panel to make sure the unit is receiving power.
3. Malfunctioning Thermostat
Both electric and gas water heaters rely on a thermostat to regulate temperature. If it’s faulty, the unit won’t heat water properly—or at all.
4. Sediment Buildup
Long Beach has hard water, which leads to mineral buildup inside the tank. This sediment can insulate the heating elements, making them work less efficiently or fail.
5. Heating Element Failure
In electric models, the upper or lower heating elements can burn out over time, leading to a complete or partial loss of hot water.
Why Long Beach Homes Are Prone to Water Heater Issues
Many Long Beach homes are older and may have aging water heaters that haven’t been flushed or maintained regularly. Combined with the area's hard water, sediment buildup becomes a serious issue. If your water heater is over 8–10 years old, it may be time for a replacement instead of a repair.
Can You Fix It Yourself?
Here are a few safe DIY steps to try:
Relight the pilot light (if you’re comfortable doing so)
Reset the circuit breaker or replace a blown fuse
Flush the tank to remove sediment if you’ve done it before
However, if the problem persists or you're unsure what you're looking at, it's best to call a licensed plumber—especially when dealing with gas or electricity.
When to Call Goodboy Plumbing
If you've:
Lost all hot water
Noticed rusty water or loud popping sounds
Found a leak near the water heater
Tried basic resets with no success
…it’s time to bring in a professional.
At Goodboy Plumbing, we’ve been helping Long Beach homeowners get their hot water back fast. Whether it’s a minor repair or time for a new unit, we’ll give you honest advice and upfront pricing.
Call Now for Expert Water Heater Repair in Long Beach
Don’t let cold showers ruin your day. Contact Goodboy Plumbing today for fast, reliable water heater service in Long Beach and surrounding areas.
Call or Text: 562-325-9492
Schedule Service Online
5 Signs You Need a Repipe in Your Long Beach Home
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5 Signs You Need a Repipe in Your Long Beach Home
Advice from the Plumbing Pros at Goodboy Plumbing
If you live in Long Beach, especially in an older home, you may be dealing with outdated plumbing. Galvanized steel and even early copper piping were once standard, but after decades of wear and tear, they often fail—leading to costly leaks and water damage.
So how do you know it’s time to repipe your house? Here are five warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
1. Discolored or Rusty Water
If your tap water looks brown, red, or yellow—especially after it's been sitting in the pipes overnight—it could be due to corrosion inside your plumbing. This is a common issue with galvanized pipes, which were widely used in homes throughout Long Beach until the 1960s.
Discolored water is not only unappealing, but it may also signal deeper damage within your system.
2. Low Water Pressure
Notice the water pressure has dropped over time? That’s another indicator your pipes are closing up due to corrosion or scale buildup inside the walls. In homes with older galvanized lines, restricted water flow is often one of the first signs of widespread pipe decay.
Low pressure can also affect appliance performance and your ability to shower comfortably.
3. Frequent Leaks or Pipe Repairs
One isolated leak isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. But if you’re calling the plumber multiple times a year—or worse, patching leaks yourself—it might be more cost-effective to repipe your home.
Frequent repairs add up quickly, and continuing to patch failing plumbing is only delaying the inevitable.
4. Water Has a Metallic Taste or Smell
If your water tastes like metal or has a strange odor, that’s a red flag. It usually means the inside of your pipes is deteriorating and releasing corrosion into your drinking water. This isn’t just unpleasant—it’s a potential health hazard.
New copper or PEX piping will give you cleaner, better-tasting water immediately.
5. Your Home Was Built Before 1980
Many Long Beach homes were built before current plumbing codes went into effect. If your house was built prior to 1980, and you’ve never replaced the original pipes, a full repipe may be long overdue.
Galvanized steel pipes typically last about 40–50 years. Copper may last longer, but it too can wear out—especially in areas with hard water or acidic soil.
What Are Your Options for Repiping?
At Goodboy Plumbing, we offer professional repiping services using:
Type L copper piping for durability and resale value
PEX piping for flexible, efficient installations
Localized repipe options if only certain lines are failing
We’ll walk your home, evaluate the system, and recommend a solution that fits your needs and budget.
Why Long Beach Homes Need Extra Attention
The combination of hard water, salty air, and aging infrastructure in Long Beach makes old pipes more prone to failure. Homes near the coast are especially vulnerable to corrosion due to salt exposure in the soil and air.
Whether you live in Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, or downtown Long Beach, we’ve helped homeowners just like you upgrade their plumbing and avoid future disasters.
Schedule a Repipe Estimate with Goodboy Plumbing
Don’t wait until a hidden leak turns into major water damage. Contact Goodboy Plumbing today for a repipe estimate. We offer honest advice, fair pricing, and professional work backed by experience.
Call or Text: 562-325-9492
Schedule Your Repipe Consultation
Emergency Plumbing in Long Beach: What to Do Before We Arrive
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Emergency Plumbing in Long Beach: What to Do Before We Arrive
Goodboy Plumbing’s Guide to Minimizing Damage Before a Pro Gets There
Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for business hours. A burst pipe, sewage backup, or flooding toilet can cause serious damage fast—and it often happens when you least expect it.
If you're facing an emergency in your Long Beach home, taking the right steps before your plumber arrives can help minimize damage and save you money. Here's what to do in the first few minutes after a plumbing disaster.
1. Shut Off the Water
Know where your main shutoff valve is.
For most homes in Long Beach, it’s near the water meter—either in a ground box at the curb or on the side of the house. If a specific fixture is leaking, you might also have a localized shutoff valve under the sink or behind the toilet.
Turning off the water quickly can stop gallons of water from damaging your floors, cabinets, and drywall.
2. Turn Off the Water Heater
If the leak involves hot water or the main supply, you should also turn off your water heater. This prevents pressure buildup or overheating, which can damage the unit.
Gas water heaters: turn the gas valve to “pilot” or off.
Electric units: shut off the breaker to the water heater in your panel.
3. Clear the Area
Move furniture, rugs, or valuables away from the leak. Use towels, buckets, or a wet/dry vacuum to control spreading water.
If water is coming through the ceiling or walls, avoid using nearby light switches and stay clear of the area. Water and electricity don’t mix.
4. Identify the Source (If Safe)
If you can safely identify the problem (burst pipe, overflowing toilet, sewer backup), let your plumber know right away. The more information you can provide during the call, the faster we can respond with the right tools and materials.
In Long Beach, many emergency calls involve older plumbing, tree root blockages, or high water pressure issues—especially in homes near the coast or with older sewer systems.
5. Call Goodboy Plumbing
We offer fast-response emergency plumbing services across Long Beach and nearby cities. Whether it’s a sudden leak, backed-up sewer, or failed water heater, we’ll dispatch a licensed plumber to your home as quickly as possible.
When you call, be ready to share:
Your address
Type of issue (e.g. “burst pipe under kitchen sink”)
Whether water is still flowing
If power or gas was shut off
This helps us prepare before arriving.
What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?
Common emergencies we handle in Long Beach:
Burst or leaking pipes
Flooded bathrooms or basements
Sewer line backups
Water heater failures
Gas leaks (call the gas company first if you suspect this)
If it’s urgent, unsafe, or causing damage—you need an emergency plumber.
Long Beach Emergency Plumbers You Can Count On
Goodboy Plumbing is a trusted name in Long Beach for fast, honest, and high-quality emergency plumbing services. We show up when others don’t, and we treat your home like our own.
If you’re facing an urgent plumbing problem, don’t wait.
Call or Text: 562-325-9492
Request Emergency Plumbing Service
Long Beach Sewer Line Problems? Here’s What You Should Know
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Long Beach Sewer Line Problems? Here’s What You Should Know
From the Team at Goodboy Plumbing
Sewer problems are one of the most stressful plumbing issues a homeowner can face. If you’re noticing frequent backups, slow drains, or foul odors around your property, your sewer line could be the culprit.
In Long Beach, older homes, tree root intrusion, and shifting soil make sewer line issues all too common. In this post, we’ll break down what causes these problems, how to spot the warning signs, and what your options are for repair or replacement.
Common Causes of Sewer Line Problems in Long Beach
1. Tree Root Intrusion
Many Long Beach neighborhoods—especially older ones—have mature trees planted along sidewalks and yards. Their roots seek out moisture, and they can break into your sewer pipes through small cracks or joints.
2. Aging Clay or Cast Iron Pipes
If your home was built before the 1980s, it likely has clay or cast iron sewer lines. Over time, these materials deteriorate, crack, or corrode, especially with Long Beach’s soil conditions.
3. Soil Shifting and Earthquakes
Southern California is known for seismic activity. Even minor earth movements can shift or break underground piping, especially if it’s already weakened.
4. Grease, Waste, and Wipes
Flushing non-degradable items or pouring grease down the drain leads to buildup that clogs pipes and slows drainage. This can cause backups deep within the main line.
Warning Signs of a Sewer Line Problem
Frequent clogs or slow drains in multiple fixtures (toilets, sinks, tubs)
Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets
Water backing up into the tub or shower when you flush
Sewage smell around the yard or inside the home
Soft or sunken patches in your lawn
If you’re experiencing more than one of these issues, the problem is likely in your main sewer line—not just a local drain.
Sewer Line Repair vs. Replacement
At Goodboy Plumbing, we inspect your system to determine the right fix—no unnecessary upsells. Here are the typical options:
1. Traditional Sewer Line Replacement
This involves excavation and full pipe replacement. It’s more invasive but may be necessary for collapsed or severely damaged lines.
2. Trenchless Sewer Repair
A modern solution that avoids major digging. We insert a liner or pipe-bursting tool through your existing line, saving time and minimizing landscape damage. Ideal for Long Beach yards with driveways, mature trees, or concrete patios.
3. Spot Repair
If the damage is localized, we may only need to dig a small section and repair or replace a portion of the pipe.
Sewer Inspections Save Time and Money
We use advanced sewer camera inspections to locate the issue and determine the best fix—without guesswork. This is especially valuable if you’re buying or remodeling a home in Long Beach.
Sewer Line Experts Serving Long Beach and Beyond
Whether you’re in Belmont Shore, Bluff Heights, or Signal Hill, we’ve helped homeowners all over Long Beach solve serious sewer problems quickly and professionally. With Goodboy Plumbing, you get honest advice, upfront pricing, and long-lasting solutions.
Schedule Your Sewer Line Inspection Today
Don’t wait until a minor blockage turns into a major mess. If you suspect a sewer problem, get it checked right away.
Call or Text: 562-325-9492
Book a Sewer Line Inspection