Water heater repair and replacement in Austin
Gas, electric or tankless: we repair what is worth repairing, replace what isn’t, and keep hard-water scale from shortening the life of the new one.
Repair or replace?
A water heater that is only a few years old usually just needs a part: a thermocouple, a gas valve, a heating element or a thermostat. An older tank with any of the signs below is normally cheaper to replace than to keep fixing.
| What you notice | Likely answer |
|---|---|
| No hot water, tank under 8 years old | Repair: usually one part |
| Water pooling under the tank itself | Replace: a leaking tank can’t be patched |
| Rusty or brown hot water | Check the anode rod; replace if the tank is corroding |
| Popping or rumbling sounds | Flush the sediment; replace if it keeps coming back |
| Tank over 10 years old and failing | Replace before it fails at a bad time |
Tank or tankless?
A tank heater costs less to install and is simple to service. A 40-gallon tank suits most homes with one or two bathrooms; a 50-gallon tank suits larger families. A tankless heater heats water on demand, takes up little space and lasts longer, but costs more up front and may need a larger gas line or a new electrical circuit. We size tankless units by the flow you need at once, in gallons per minute, not by the number of bathrooms.
Hard water care
Austin’s mineral-rich water leaves scale at the bottom of tanks and inside tankless heat exchangers. A yearly flush, an anode rod check every few years and descaling for tankless units keep efficiency up and noise down. Ask about adding a water softener if scale is a constant fight.
Permits and safety
Water heater replacements in the City of Austin need a plumbing permit and an inspection. We pull the permit, install the expansion tank, drain pan and temperature and pressure relief line the code calls for, and book the inspection.
| Service | From |
|---|---|
| Water heater repair visit | $89 + parts |
| Flush and inspection | $119 |
| 40-gallon gas tank, installed | $1,650 |
| Tankless descaling | $199 |