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When the hot water runs out in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, it is not just an inconvenience. It is a problem that needs to be solved fast. Whether your water heater has stopped working entirely, is taking forever to recover, or you are just noticing something is off, Southport Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help homeowners across the Wausau area get their hot water back.
Central Wisconsin winters are no joke. From Schofield to Stratford, our team handles water heater repairs, replacements, and new installations for all types of systems. We work on traditional tank water heaters, tankless units, and everything in between. Our fully stocked service vehicles mean we arrive ready to diagnose and fix the problem in a single visit whenever possible.
You have got enough on your plate without cold showers added to the mix. Contact Southport Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to schedule your water heater service.
Signs You Need Water Heater Services
Water heaters rarely fail without warning. Knowing what to look for can save you from a full breakdown and help you avoid water damage or wasted energy. Here are the most common signs it is time to call a professional.
- No Hot Water: If your water heater is not producing hot water at all, something has failed inside the system and needs immediate attention.
- Lukewarm or Inconsistent Temperatures: Water that never quite gets hot enough or fluctuates unexpectedly often points to a failing heating element or thermostat issue.
- Rusty or Discolored Water: Brown or reddish water coming from your hot tap is a sign of corrosion inside the tank, which typically means the unit is nearing the end of its life.
- Strange Noises: Popping, rumbling, or banging sounds from your water heater are usually caused by sediment buildup, which reduces efficiency and strains the system over time.
- Leaks Around the Unit: Any pooling water near the base of your water heater is a serious concern and should be evaluated right away to prevent water damage.
Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Wausau
Not every water heater problem means you need a brand new unit. Sometimes a repair is all it takes to get things running properly again. Our NATE-certified technicians diagnose the issue accurately so you are not paying for more than you need.
That said, if your water heater is more than 10 to 12 years old, or if repairs are becoming frequent, replacing the unit often makes more financial sense in the long run. A newer system runs more efficiently, which can noticeably lower your monthly energy bills. We help you weigh the options honestly so you can make the right call for your home and your budget.
We install and service a wide range of water heater types, including traditional storage tank models and tankless on-demand systems. Tankless water heaters are a popular upgrade for Wausau homeowners looking to free up space and enjoy a continuous supply of hot water without keeping a large tank heated around the clock.
As part of our broader plumbing services, we also handle related issues that can affect your water heater’s performance, such as sediment in the lines or pressure problems. And if you are dealing with slow drains or backups at the same time, our drain cleaning services can address those issues during the same visit.
Trust Southport Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for Your Water Heater Services
We know how disruptive a broken water heater can be, especially when temperatures outside are well below freezing. That is why our team shows up prepared. Our fully loaded service vehicles carry the parts and tools needed to handle most repairs on the spot, so you are not waiting days for a follow-up visit.
Our technicians are NATE-certified and experienced with all major water heater brands and system types. We hold an A+ BBB Rating because we do things the right way, every time. Financing options are also available for qualifying customers, making it easier to move forward with a replacement when the time comes without putting it off.
Serving Wausau and surrounding communities including Auburndale, Athens, and Wittenberg, we are your local team for dependable water heater service. Do not wait until you are completely without hot water. Reach out to Southport Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule service today.
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Read About Our Customers’ Recent Experiences
Craig Willett
2 days ago
Tyler and Dakota installed our new A/C unit today. Right form the time they arrived (on time!) until they departed their professionalism, skills and gentlemanly manners never swayed. They are excellent representatives of Southport. More reasons why we use Southport exclusively! A job well done, Tyler and Dakota!
Andrew performed the annual plumbing inspection 2/20/2025. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in his work. He discovered a couple of situations that needed immediate attention. Those situations were promptly addressed and corrected. Like Tyler and Dakota Andrew is a stellar example of the excellent service from Southport!
On 10/22/2026, Tyler did the annual inspection on our furnace and found a couple concerns. He explained the situation and gave fair estimates. A great representative of Southport!
Also on 10/22/2026, Caleb stopped by abd presented estimates for replacing the furnace. He is very knowledgeable and presents all options very well. Another excellent representative of Southport!
On 10/23/2026 Service Technician Jacob performed the necessary repairs and cleaning of our furnace. Jacob is not extremely knowledgeable, he is personable and efficient. Definitely another outstanding representative of a great company. Well done, thank you!
Andrew performed the annual plumbing inspection 2/20/2025. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in his work. He discovered a couple of situations that needed immediate attention. Those situations were promptly addressed and corrected. Like Tyler and Dakota Andrew is a stellar example of the excellent service from Southport!
On 10/22/2026, Tyler did the annual inspection on our furnace and found a couple concerns. He explained the situation and gave fair estimates. A great representative of Southport!
Also on 10/22/2026, Caleb stopped by abd presented estimates for replacing the furnace. He is very knowledgeable and presents all options very well. Another excellent representative of Southport!
On 10/23/2026 Service Technician Jacob performed the necessary repairs and cleaning of our furnace. Jacob is not extremely knowledgeable, he is personable and efficient. Definitely another outstanding representative of a great company. Well done, thank you!
Lynda Behringer
2 days ago
Southport was exceptional from beginning to end. We had an unfortunate incident last week Wednesday that lead us to having to replace our Furnace.
After an emergency call to our local Fire Department in Caledonia and WE Energies, we reached out to Southport Home Services. They had a Technician out early the next morning to evaluate the issue, within minutes Nathan Simons called and was in our home explaining the many options that best fit our needs. He was very detailed, thorough, knowledgeable and displayed outstanding customer service.
The Technicians installed our new Furnace that next day. We are beyond pleased and thank you Southport for the fabulous Customer Service and explaining our options.
We highly recommend Southport to any and everyone looking for Five Star service!!
Many Thanks!
Sincerely Lynda & Mark Behringer
After an emergency call to our local Fire Department in Caledonia and WE Energies, we reached out to Southport Home Services. They had a Technician out early the next morning to evaluate the issue, within minutes Nathan Simons called and was in our home explaining the many options that best fit our needs. He was very detailed, thorough, knowledgeable and displayed outstanding customer service.
The Technicians installed our new Furnace that next day. We are beyond pleased and thank you Southport for the fabulous Customer Service and explaining our options.
We highly recommend Southport to any and everyone looking for Five Star service!!
Many Thanks!
Sincerely Lynda & Mark Behringer
Maria Tuttle
2 days ago
We just replaced our entire HVAC system and Hot Water Heater this week with Southport...and we could not be happier!! Our previous system was working but was old...and Southport was able to come out IMMEDIATELY...even during this severe cold snap!! Starting with Nate, who came out to inspect, estimate the job and oversee it...to out technicians, Ryan, Casey and Jackson, these guys ROCKED!!! They were super polite...super efficient...super informative and they left the work area amazingly cleaned up! They were creative in accomplishing an off the beaten road request that we made and everything is in order. When you need HVAC work done...LOOK NO FURTHER!!!
10/22/26: So due Operator error, (or as I say, owner stupidity…LOL…😜), I called regarding a stuck button on my 8 year old electronic thermostat. We scheduled an appointment with SOUTHPORT and Tyler S. was just here and I was told something I probably already knew, (apparently). The button on the thermostat is ALWAYS-that way because the entire thing runs on a TOUCH SCREEN!!!! DUH!!!!
The visit was awesome and Tyler and his mentor giggled with me and DID NOT make me feel stupid at all!! Excellent customer service, from scheduling the appointment (same day) through the end of the appointment. Thank you Tyler and alllof the Southport staff!!!
10/22/26: So due Operator error, (or as I say, owner stupidity…LOL…😜), I called regarding a stuck button on my 8 year old electronic thermostat. We scheduled an appointment with SOUTHPORT and Tyler S. was just here and I was told something I probably already knew, (apparently). The button on the thermostat is ALWAYS-that way because the entire thing runs on a TOUCH SCREEN!!!! DUH!!!!
The visit was awesome and Tyler and his mentor giggled with me and DID NOT make me feel stupid at all!! Excellent customer service, from scheduling the appointment (same day) through the end of the appointment. Thank you Tyler and alllof the Southport staff!!!
Gregory Toff
2 days ago
Travis did an excellent job. Very nice work.
Robin Ingrouille
2 days ago
Good company with great people. They did a great job of installing our new furnace and Ac and their price was very reasonable
Conn Huffaker
2 days ago
I want to give a shout out to HVAC technician Vincent Beyer who provided much more than a simple routine check of my furnace. For example, he went through a list of suggestions to make my unit last longer, operate safer, and improve its efficiency. He explained technical items in ways that I could understand their need and how they operated within the whole system. We finished his visit by sitting down and covering every point we had discussed to make sure I understood and was comfortable with all the options and details.
In my opinion, you couldn't have a finer representative for your company.
In my opinion, you couldn't have a finer representative for your company.
Richard Gage
3 days ago
I had my annual furnace/heat pump checkup this morning. Abraham Celis was the HVAC technician. He comleted a very thorough inspection and went over the results completely with me. Abraham took the time to insure the checkup was done in a quality manner, not just rushing to complete the job and to get to his next stop. I was impressed with Abraham's friendliness and professionalism. Another job well done by Southport.
I had my annual Heat Pump AC checkup today (8/26/26) by Southport. As always, their technician Zach Birkholrz did a thorough and excellent job. Zach is very pleasant and professional and explains the checkup process and results very clearly. And, as a bonus, he gets along with our dog.
Joe Suchla replaced our two outside faucets and main water shut-off today. The rear faucet was only accessible from a basement crawl space, so he installed a secondary shut-off valve in the baseme t so I did not have to enter the crawl space to shut off the faucet in the winter months. He also bought the main water shut-off up to code with a shut-off valve on each side of the meter. Joe arrived on time, performed all plumbing upgrades professionally, kept me informed of the upgrade progress, and cleaned up at the end of the job. We are very pleased with the job Joe did and have always been pleased with the work Southport has done for our plumbing and HVAC needs. We highly recommend Southport.
Jackson did an excellent job of system check of our AC. He explained everything he checked and the meaning of all test results. A very friendly and professional service tech. Highly recommend SouthPort and Jackson.
I had my annual Heat Pump AC checkup today (8/26/26) by Southport. As always, their technician Zach Birkholrz did a thorough and excellent job. Zach is very pleasant and professional and explains the checkup process and results very clearly. And, as a bonus, he gets along with our dog.
Joe Suchla replaced our two outside faucets and main water shut-off today. The rear faucet was only accessible from a basement crawl space, so he installed a secondary shut-off valve in the baseme t so I did not have to enter the crawl space to shut off the faucet in the winter months. He also bought the main water shut-off up to code with a shut-off valve on each side of the meter. Joe arrived on time, performed all plumbing upgrades professionally, kept me informed of the upgrade progress, and cleaned up at the end of the job. We are very pleased with the job Joe did and have always been pleased with the work Southport has done for our plumbing and HVAC needs. We highly recommend Southport.
Jackson did an excellent job of system check of our AC. He explained everything he checked and the meaning of all test results. A very friendly and professional service tech. Highly recommend SouthPort and Jackson.
Alan Skripsky
3 days ago
Mat did great work.
On 10/21/26 Luke did great work.
On 10/21/26 Luke did great work.
Craig Willett
3 days ago
Tyler and Dakota installed our new A/C unit today. Right form the time they arrived (on time!) until they departed their professionalism, skills and gentlemanly manners never swayed. They are excellent representatives of Southport. More reasons why we use Southport exclusively! A job well done, Tyler and Dakota!
Andrew performed the annual plumbing inspection 2/20/2025. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in his work. He discovered a couple of situations that needed immediate attention. Those situations were promptly addressed and corrected. Like Tyler and Dakota Andrew is a stellar example of the excellent service from Southport!
On 10/22/2026, Tyler did the annual inspection on our furnace and found a couple concerns. He explained the situation and gave fair estimates. A great representative of Southport!
Also on 10/22/2026, Caleb stopped by abd presented estimates for replacing the furnace. He is very knowledgeable and presents all options very well. Another excellent representative of Southport!
Andrew performed the annual plumbing inspection 2/20/2025. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in his work. He discovered a couple of situations that needed immediate attention. Those situations were promptly addressed and corrected. Like Tyler and Dakota Andrew is a stellar example of the excellent service from Southport!
On 10/22/2026, Tyler did the annual inspection on our furnace and found a couple concerns. He explained the situation and gave fair estimates. A great representative of Southport!
Also on 10/22/2026, Caleb stopped by abd presented estimates for replacing the furnace. He is very knowledgeable and presents all options very well. Another excellent representative of Southport!
Ned C
3 days ago
My service provider was outstanding!! Answering my questions and providing me with useful information and advice.
Debbra Thorne
3 days ago
They gave a fair price for the work and they showed up on time. Very thorough and explain all they did. Good quality work
Carla Resch
4 days ago
Max and Noel replaced my furnace, and I'm very pleased with the work that was done. Thank you to Anthony for initiallyidentifying the problem and attempting to repair it. Thanks also to Justin for meeting with me late on a Friday afternoon to select a furnace, schedule an install and work through financing with me.
Patrick Stiennon
5 days ago
Look at ever issue I was interested in and explained options we could go from there. Was fine about sending me the option so I could think it over now or in the future.
Patti P
5 days ago
Travis and Luke did a thorough job inspecting our water heater, plumbing and furnace. We have a maintenance agreement and it seems worthwhile for our house heating, air conditioning and plumbing needs.
Wendy Zwolenski Lambert
5 days ago
The technician, Abe, was very helpful and efficient.
Laurie Poznanski
6 days ago
Needed my tub drain cleaned out. Very prompt and efficient, even did a full check of my entire system at no additional charge!! I don't want to jinx myself but i will definitely call them again in the future!!!
Stephen Bantz
6 days ago
Jake did a very through job checking out my furnace. Was able to answer any questions I had. Being part of shield program is great!
Ned Kramer
1 week ago
Andrew was very polite & went right to work. He found the problem in s few minutes. Pick up what he needed & installed it quickly & then made sure everything worked properly. 10+
Patti & Ned Kramer
Patti & Ned Kramer
