3 services · El Paso
Water heaters in El Paso, TX
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 El Paso
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 El Paso
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 in El Paso
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 El Paso: what's different
El Paso's very hard water leaves scale that shortens water heater life and clogs tankless heat exchangers, so softeners are common. Many homes keep heaters in garages or outdoor closets exposed to both summer heat and cold desert nights.
Part of El Paso's water comes from desalinated brackish groundwater, and hardness varies with the source mix. Annual flushing and regular descaling of tankless units keep them running. Permits for replacements come from the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department.
- Water and sewer in El Paso
- El Paso Water provides water, wastewater and stormwater service, drawing from the Rio Grande, groundwater and desalinated brackish water.
- Permits in El Paso
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department.
El Paso housing and plumbing
Sunset Heights and Kern Place have early 1900s homes with older pipe. Most of the city is mid-century and newer slab construction.
Other El Paso conditions that affect plumbing
- Very hard water: Scale shortens water heater life and clogs fixtures; softeners are common.
- Desert freezes: Winter cold snaps freeze exposed pipes in homes built for heat.
- Water conservation: Watering rules and tiered rates make leaks expensive.
- Older homes near downtown: Sunset Heights and Kern Place homes often have galvanized supply and older drains that corrode.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover El Paso and El Paso County, including Kern Place, Sunset Heights, Westside, Northeast, Eastside, Upper Valley. ZIP codes: 79901 · 79902 · 79903 · 79904 · 79905 · 79907.
When to call a plumber in El Paso
- 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 El Paso
Should I install a water softener in El Paso?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in El Paso
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