When a failed water heater is an emergency
A tank that has rusted through can release dozens of gallons into a utility room or garage within an hour or two. The heater cannot be patched, so shutting the water off at the cold supply and moving belongings out of the way is the best use of the first ten minutes.
A heater with no hot water and no leak is urgent but less dramatic, and a same-day visit is offered when a crew is available. If someone in the house depends on hot water for medical reasons, tell the dispatcher so it is factored in.
What a replacement visit includes
Every step has a safety reason behind it. A relief valve with no discharge pipe can scald someone, and a flue that is not drawing can push combustion gases into the house, so venting gets the same attention as the water connections.
Assess
We confirm the old tank is the problem and check venting, gas or electrical supply and water pressure.
Remove
The tank is drained and disconnected, and the area is cleared for the new unit.
Install
New unit, supply connections, relief valve with a safe discharge pipe, and an expansion tank where one is needed.
Test
We fill the tank, purge air, check for leaks and combustion, and set the temperature.
Choosing the right replacement
Standard tank
- Lower purchase price and simple service
- Works with the existing gas or electric supply
- Stores a fixed volume of hot water
- Needs floor space and a drain pan
Tankless or hybrid
- Higher purchase price, lower running cost for many homes
- May need a larger gas line or upgraded venting
- Tankless gives endless hot water, hybrid needs air space
- Frees floor space on the wall or in the closet
Our tankless water heater page covers what that conversion involves, and a planned swap with time to shop is described under water heater installation.
Tank leaking or finished?
Close the supply valve and call. We will talk through the replacement options on the phone.
Replacement questions that come up in Wilsonville
Sizing a new tank starts with how many people use hot water at once and how many bathrooms the house has, and a household that has grown since the last heater went in may need a bigger tank. Say so on the call.
Some water heater work needs a permit, and Wilsonville handles permits through its online portal for building, plumbing, mechanical and fire permits. The portal page does not say when one is required, so ask the Wilsonville building division, and we will fit the work to what it says.
Tank placement matters in newer attached homes such as Villebois townhomes and row homes, where the heater often sits in a tight closet. A drain pan with a pipe to a safe drain keeps a future leak from reaching the wall behind it.
What affects the price of a water heater replacement
You get a clear price before work starts, and these are the main drivers.
Related plumbing services
If the tank is only leaking at a fitting, water heater repair may be enough, and a wet wall behind the unit is a job for leak detection. We also install heaters for homes in Sherwood and nearby towns.
What to do before the new heater goes in
Hot water scalds quickly, so take the first steps seriously. If you smell gas or see rust-colored water pouring from the tank, leave the area and call the 24/7 line.
- Shut off power or gas to the old unit and close the cold water valve.
- Open a hot tap to relieve pressure before anything is drained.
- Keep children and pets away from the area while hot water is drained.
- Do not drain a hot tank onto a surface that can be damaged.
- Clear a path from the door to the heater for the crew.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A failed tank is a leak and gets dispatched first, around the clock. Planned replacements are scheduled for regular hours.
A straightforward tank-for-tank swap usually takes part of a day, while a fuel change, new venting or a tankless conversion takes longer. The technician gives you an honest estimate of time with the price.
If it is older than its warranty, has started leaking at the tank or needs repeated repairs, planning a replacement beats an overnight flood. A planned swap is cheaper in disruption than an emergency one.
Often yes, though tankless units can need a larger gas line, new venting and a different electrical setup. We check those before quoting.
Permit rules vary by city and job, so ask the Wilsonville building division, which runs the online permitting portal. We follow whatever it requires.
The technician disconnects it and we discuss removal when we give you the price, so there are no surprises about what is included.