3 services · Knoxville
Water heaters in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville
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
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 Knoxville: what's different
West Knoxville's newer subdivisions are on their first water heaters, while older homes need updates. Many homes keep heaters in crawl spaces or garages, where leaks go unnoticed.
KUB supplies gas and water, so gas heater installs connect to KUB service.
Permits come from the City of Knoxville or Knox County.
Older homes in Fourth and Gill may have heaters in tight closets with venting that needs updating. Crawl-space moisture corrodes connections, so a drain pan and regular checks help, and annual flushing extends tank life.
- Water and sewer in Knoxville
- Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) provides water, wastewater, gas and electric service.
- Permits in Knoxville
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections; Knox County handles unincorporated areas.
Knoxville housing and plumbing
Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville have late 1800s homes with older plumbing. Bearden and West Knoxville are mostly mid-century and newer.
Other Knoxville conditions that affect plumbing
- KUB gas service: KUB provides natural gas, so gas emergencies go to KUB first.
- Hillside laterals: Steep lots have long laterals that shift and crack.
- Student rentals: Fort Sanders rentals see heavy use and clogs.
- Older drains: Victorian homes in Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville have original cast-iron and clay drains that crack and collect roots.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Knoxville and Knox County, including Fourth and Gill, Old North Knoxville, Sequoyah Hills, Fort Sanders, Bearden, South Knoxville. ZIP codes: 37901 · 37902 · 37909 · 37912 · 37914 · 37915.
When to call a plumber in Knoxville
- 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 Knoxville
Is a crawl-space water heater a problem in Knoxville?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Knoxville
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