Water heater installation in San Antonio, TX
Cold showers cannot wait for next week. We replace gas and electric tank heaters with the flue, valves, pan and expansion tank set up to code on the first visit.
Signs you need this
- Tank is leaking from the body
- Rusty hot water
- Heater is past 10 to 12 years
- Not enough hot water for the household
Why it happens
Tank heaters fail when the steel inside rusts through, and hard water speeds that up by building sediment on the bottom. Once the tank body leaks, there is no repair. Installing the new one is also the time to fix what was wrong with the old setup, such as a missing drain pan, a vent that does not draft or a relief valve line that ends in the wrong place.
We install the heater to current code, which is often more than the old one had. That can include a drain pan with a line to the outside, an expansion tank, a properly routed relief valve discharge, a new gas shut-off and connector, and vent connections that draft correctly. In attics, we check access and the platform the heater sits on. In garages, gas units need to be raised off the floor. These details protect your home and pass inspection, and we explain each one before the work starts.
What we check first
- Fuel type, size and location
- Venting and gas line for gas units
- Expansion tank and relief valve discharge
- Drain pan and access in attics and closets
Your options
Same size, same spot
The fastest replacement, often same day.
Upsize
For growing households or a new large tub.
Switch to tankless
When space or endless hot water matters more. See tankless installation.
Before we get there
- Clear a path to the heater
- Note the size and fuel on the label
- Move stored items away from the heater closet or attic access
What affects the price
Same-size, same-spot replacements are the baseline. Moving the heater, upsizing, adding a pan or expansion tank, updating venting or a gas line, and permit fees can add to it. The quote lists the heater and each code item separately.
We find heaters in attics, closets, garages and even on back porches in older south side homes. Wherever it sits, we make sure there is a pan and that it drains somewhere safe, because a failed tank can bring a ceiling down. Many cities, including San Antonio, require a permit for heater replacement, which we handle.
Water heater installation questions
How long does a replacement take?
Most same-spot replacements take a few hours.
Gas or electric?
Stay with what you have unless there is a reason to switch. Changing fuel means new gas or electrical work.
Do you haul off the old heater?
Yes, removal and disposal are included.
What size heater do I need?
Many homes use 40 or 50 gallons. Larger families or big tubs may need more, or a tankless unit.