About two-thirds of Smithfield homes were built before 1980, so water heater repairs here often involve an aging tank and an older installation as well as a failed element, thermostat, thermocouple or valve. A plumber can tell you whether repair is worth it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Smithfield.
Why does my Smithfield water heater keep having problems?
In older homes, repeat failures often come from the installation rather than the heater. The median Smithfield home was built in 1973, and many heaters sit in closets, utility rooms or crawl spaces with relief lines, vents and gas connectors from previous units. A vent that doesn't draft well can make a gas pilot go out, and old wiring can stress an electric heater's thermostat. A plumber will look at the setup around the tank as well as the failed part, so the same problem doesn't come back next month.
How does Smithfield's water affect my heater?
The Town of Smithfield treats its own Neuse River water and disinfects with chloramine, averaging 2.82 ppm in 2025. The report doesn't list hardness, so sediment is best judged by draining some water from the tank. Chloramine can wear rubber washers and seals faster than chlorine, which is one reason drips around valves are common. A separate Smithfield South district gets its water from Johnston County Utilities; if you're not sure which system serves your address, the town can tell you.
Should I repair or replace?
If the tank shell is leaking or hot water comes out rusty from corrosion, replacement is usually the answer. If the tank is dry and one part has failed, a repair is often reasonable even on an older unit. Gas units also need their venting checked. Piedmont Natural Gas serves the area where mains run; if you smell gas, leave and call 911 or Piedmont at 800-752-7504 from outside.
A practical way to decide is to tally what the tank needs beyond the immediate repair. If the vent, connector and relief line are all sound, fixing a single part is easy to justify. If several of those need work anyway, it may make more sense to put that money toward a new heater installed to current code.
Permits for a replacement
Johnston County Building Inspections is contracted to handle building permit inspections for the Town of Smithfield, and the town's Planning Department issues any zoning permit first. The plumber can explain what a replacement needs.
Water Heater Repair questions in Smithfield
Can the disinfectant in town water shorten a water heater's life?
My water heater is past ten years old. Is repair still worth it?
Is a permit needed if the plumber says the heater has to be replaced?
Why does brown or rusty water come only from the hot side?
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