Plumbing · Water heaters
No hot water? Most days we can replace it today.
Call by noon and, most days, we'll have a new tank water heater installed, the old one hauled away, and hot water back before supper.
Signs your water heater is on its way out
A standard tank water heater in Central Ohio usually lasts 8 to 12 years. Our hard water shortens that, because minerals settle in the bottom of the tank as sediment. Here's what to watch for:
- Water at the base of the tank. A small puddle or a rust stain on the floor. Once a tank itself leaks, it can't be repaired.
- Rumbling, popping or crackling when it heats. That's water boiling through a layer of sediment.
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to, or it's lukewarm no matter where the dial is.
- Rusty or brown hot water while the cold runs clear.
- It's past 10 years old. The date is coded into the serial number on the label; we can read it for you over the phone if you text us a photo.
- The pilot keeps going out on a gas unit, or a breaker keeps tripping on an electric one.
Not every symptom means replacement. A bad thermocouple, a failed heating element or a stuck thermostat is a repair, and we'll tell you if that's all it is.
Options and posted prices
Installed prices include the heater, standard connections, a new expansion tank or vent connector if code requires it, permit where needed, haul-away of your old unit, and our 10-year parts / 2-year labor K&D Promise on the new installation.
| Option | Installed price | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic / repair visit | $89, applied to the repair | Pilot, thermocouple, element, thermostat or valve problems |
| 40-gallon gas tank | from $1,895 | Most homes with two to three people and gas service |
| 50-gallon electric tank | from $1,795 | All-electric homes, or where there's no gas line or venting |
| Tankless (gas) | from $3,900 | Larger families, long showers, saving floor space, lower operating cost |
Bigger tanks, power-vent models and units in tight attic or closet spaces cost more, and your tech will quote the exact number before starting. Financing is available, as low as $79/month with approved credit. Ask about current utility rebates on high-efficiency models; they change through the year.
Tank or tankless?
A tank heater keeps 40 or 50 gallons hot all day. It's simple, it costs less up front, and it's what most houses around here have. A tankless heater fires only when you open a tap, so it never runs out and it takes up about as much wall space as a suitcase. It costs more to install, usually needs a larger gas line and new venting, and it needs a yearly descaling in our hard water.
Our honest rule of thumb: if your tank is failing today and you're happy with how much hot water you had, replace it with a tank. If you've been running out of hot water for years, or you're finishing the basement and want the space back, tankless is worth a conversation.
How long it takes
A straight swap of a tank water heater takes about two to four hours once the tech arrives. We carry the most common sizes on our trucks, which is why same-day replacement works most days if we're called by noon. Tankless installs are usually scheduled within a few days and take most of a day, because of the gas line and venting work.
What you can do right now
If the tank is leaking: close the cold water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater (turn the handle clockwise, or a quarter turn so a lever sits across the pipe). For a gas heater, turn the gas control knob to "Pilot" or "Off." For an electric heater, switch off its breaker in the panel; it's usually a double breaker labeled "water heater" or "WH." Then move anything valuable off the floor nearby. If you can't find or turn the valve, close the main water shut-off where the water line enters the house.
If you smell gas near the water heater or anywhere in the house: don't flip light switches, don't use your phone inside, and don't try to relight anything. Leave the house, then call your gas utility's emergency number or 911 from outside. Once the utility says it's safe, call us.
Water heater leaking? Call (614) 555-0187. We answer 24/7.
Making the next one last
Draining a few gallons from the valve at the bottom of the tank once a year flushes out sediment and helps the heater live longer. We'll show you how when we install it. In homes with hard water, a softener (see water treatment) protects the tank and every fixture downstream. Tankless owners should have the unit descaled once a year; Comfort Club members get 15% off that service.
Water heater questions
Can I just replace the part that's broken?
Often, yes. Thermocouples, gas valves, heating elements and thermostats are all repairable. A leaking tank is not. If the heater is over 10 years old and needs a major part, we'll give you both numbers and let you decide.
Do you install heaters I bought myself?
We can, but we only warranty our labor in that case, not the heater. Most people find our installed price is close to the big-box price plus a separate installer once haul-away and code parts are added.
Do I need a permit?
Most communities in our area require one for a water heater replacement. We pull it and arrange the inspection where it's required; it's included in our posted price.
What brands do you install?
We install all major brands of tank and tankless heaters and stock the models we've found hold up best in Central Ohio water.
Why is my new heater's water not as hot as the old one?
New heaters ship set to a safer temperature, about 120°F, to prevent scalding. We can adjust it, but 120°F is plenty for most households and saves energy.