Water Heater Repair in Newark, OH
About 71% of Newark homes were built before 1980, and the city softens its own water from the North Fork of the Licking River. If your water heater has quit, is leaking or won't stay lit, call and get a plumber out.
What shapes water heater trouble in Newark
City water from the North Fork
Newark's water plant at 164 Waterworks Road draws from the North Fork of the Licking River and uses lime to soften it, then filters it and disinfects it with UV light and chlorine. The city's 2024 report lists its treated water at 118 mg/L hardness, about 7 grains per gallon, across 18,410 active accounts. That is easier on a tank than raw hard water, but sediment still settles over the years, so a rumbling heater is worth a flush.
Older houses, free service line swaps
About 28% of Newark homes were built before 1940, and the median home dates to 1963. In houses that age, the heater is rarely the original, but the shutoff valves, connectors and venting around it may be. About 75% of homes heat with gas and 22% with electricity.
The city replaces lead and galvanized water service lines, from the main to the meter, at no cost to the homeowner and restores the disturbed area free of charge. Call the Newark Water Office at 740-670-7940 to see if your property qualifies.
The North Fork and Little Texas
The National Weather Service's gauge on the North Fork at Ohio Street reached its highest crest, 23.9 feet, in January 1959. Its flood notes say that at about 20.5 feet, water starts reaching the homes closest to the river in the Little Texas neighborhood of southern Newark, and Miller and Lynn Streets flood.
FEMA's flood repair guide says a water heater should be replaced if floodwater reached the burner, the controls or the insulation. If you want to try to keep it, have a professional clean and restart it, and don't relight it yourself.
County plumbing permits
Plumbing permits in Licking County come from the Licking County Health Department, and plumbers must be registered with it before working in the county. Its residential application lists a water heater as a fixture, with a $60 application fee plus $15 per fixture, and adds a 50% late fee if work starts before the permit. Inspectors take calls between 8 and 10 a.m. at 740-349-6475.
Safe steps for Newark homes
- Leaking? Close the cold water valve on top of the tank.
- Turn off the gas valve or the breaker for the heater.
- Gas smell? Leave the house, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside. The Energy Cooperative's gas emergency line is 740-344-2102; if another utility bills you, use the number on your bill.
Where we take calls
Newark, Licking County, ZIP codes 43055. Not sure your address is covered? Call and we'll check.
Nearby towns
Repair, replacement and emergencies
Water Heater Repair
Gas, electric and tankless repairs, from pilot lights to heating elements.
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No Hot Water
Cold shower this morning? Get the cause found and fixed fast.
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Leaking Water Heater
Water around the tank or a dripping relief valve. Act before it floods.
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Emergency Water Heater Repair
Burst tank, gas smell or water everywhere. Call right away.
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Water Heater Replacement
When repair no longer makes sense, get a new tank or tankless unit.
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Tankless Water Heater Repair
Error codes, lukewarm water and scale buildup on tankless units.
Learn moreNewark water heater questions
Who is the gas company in Newark, OH?
Check your bill. The Energy Cooperative, a gas, electric and propane co-op based on Granville Road in Newark, serves members mainly in Licking, Knox and Muskingum counties. If you smell gas, leave first and call 911 from outside.
How hard is Newark's water?
The city's 2024 water report lists 118 mg/L, about 7 grains per gallon, after lime softening.
Does Newark replace lead water lines?
Yes. The city replaces lead and galvanized service lines from the main to the meter at no cost to the homeowner. Call the Water Office at 740-670-7940.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Newark?
The Licking County Health Department's plumbing permit application lists water heaters as a fixture. The residential fee is $60 plus $15 per fixture.
Where these local facts come from
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 (via Census Reporter)
- City of Newark, 2024 Water Quality Report
- City of Newark, Lead Service Line Replacement
- NOAA National Water Prediction Service, North Fork Licking River at Newark (Ohio Street)
- FEMA and American Red Cross, Repairing Your Flooded Home (FEMA P-234)
- Licking County Health Department, Environmental Health
- Licking County Health Department, plumbing permit application
- The Energy Cooperative
Figures are the latest published by each source. Pricing and availability are set by the plumber.
No hot water in Newark?
Call now for water heater repair or replacement.