3 services · Boise
Water heaters in Boise, ID
Most tank water heaters last about 8 to 12 years. A plumber can often repair a heater that stops making hot water, but a tank that leaks from the bottom has failed and needs to be replaced. Tankless heaters last longer but cost more to install, especially if the gas line or venting has to change.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Water heaters services in Boise
Water heater repair
UrgentIf a gas water heater has no hot water, the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve is the usual cause; on an electric heater it's usually an element or thermostat. Those parts are repairable. A tank that leaks from the bottom can't be repaired and needs to be replaced.
Water heater replacement in Boise
A leaking tank or a heater past about 10 years old is usually replaced rather than repaired. A proper install includes a permit, correct venting (adjusted for altitude where needed), an expansion tank where required, a drip leg on the gas line and a relief valve discharge pipe.
Tankless water heaters
A tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so it doesn't run out, but it needs a larger gas line, its own venting and a unit rated for your elevation. Installed correctly and descaled regularly, it can outlast a tank heater.
Local conditions
Water heaters in Boise: what's different
Hard water leaves mineral buildup in Boise water heaters, shortening their life. Rapid growth means many newer homes are on their first heater.
Some downtown buildings use geothermal hot spring water for heat, one of the oldest geothermal districts in the country, but most homes use conventional heaters.
Permits come from the City of Boise Planning and Development Services.
Older North End and East End homes may have heaters in tight basements with venting that needs updating, and adding an expansion tank is common at replacement.
- Water and sewer in Boise
- Veolia Water Idaho supplies water to much of Boise; the city provides sewer service.
- Permits in Boise
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Boise Planning and Development Services.
Boise housing and plumbing
The North End and East End have early 1900s homes with older plumbing; outer areas are largely newer construction.
Other Boise conditions that affect plumbing
- Frozen pipes: Cold snaps freeze exterior-wall and outdoor pipes.
- Hard water: Mineral buildup affects water heaters.
- Older laterals: Historic neighborhoods have aging sewer lines.
- Geothermal heating: Boise has one of the oldest geothermal heating districts in the country, and some downtown buildings use hot spring water for heat.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Boise and Ada County, including North End, East End, Bench, Harris Ranch, Southeast Boise, West Boise. ZIP codes: 83701 · 83702 · 83703 · 83704 · 83705 · 83706.
When to call a plumber in Boise
- No hot water, or hot water that runs out much faster than it used to
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Rumbling or popping from the tank
- Rusty or smelly hot water
- A pilot that won't stay lit or a tankless unit showing an error code
- A heater more than 10 years old before it fails
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the water heaters guide.
Water heaters questions in Boise
How often should I flush my Boise water heater?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Boise
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