3 services · Missouri
Water heaters in Missouri
Most Missouri homes around St. Louis and Kansas City have basements, where the water heater sits beside the floor drain and laundry. A failing tank floods the basement first if the drain is slow.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Water heaters in Missouri: what to know
Hard limestone water in the Ozarks shortens tank life, and older homes may have heaters that share a chimney with the furnace, which has to be checked at replacement. Ice storms can also leave electric heaters cold during outages.
Permits come from the city or county. Replacement is a good time to add an expansion tank and new shutoff valves, and annual flushing helps tanks last.
- Climate
- Missouri gets periodic hard freezes and ice storms, often after mild spells, which catch exposed pipes off guard. Pipes in crawl spaces, exterior walls and garages are the first to freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Basements are common, especially around St. Louis and Kansas City, where many older homes have aging sewer laterals. Most common: basements.
Water heaters services
Water heater repair
If 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.
Water heaters by city in Missouri
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Water heaters questions in Missouri
Where are water heaters in most Missouri homes?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the water heaters guide.
More plumbing in Missouri
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