3 services · Tacoma
Water heaters in Tacoma, WA
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 Tacoma
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 Tacoma: what's different
Many older Tacoma homes keep water heaters in garages or basements, and the region's earthquake risk means heaters should be strapped with flexible connections.
Tacoma Water's supply is relatively soft, so tanks fail more from age than scale.
Permits come from the City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services, and replacement brings straps and venting up to code.
Older North End and Hilltop homes may have heaters in basements or garages installed before current strapping rules, and replacement brings them up to code. Adding an expansion tank is common.
- Water and sewer in Tacoma
- Tacoma Water, part of Tacoma Public Utilities, supplies water. The City of Tacoma provides wastewater service.
- Permits in Tacoma
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services.
Tacoma housing and plumbing
The North End, Stadium District and Hilltop have homes from 1890 to 1940 with clay laterals and older supply. South Tacoma is mostly mid-century.
Other Tacoma conditions that affect plumbing
- Wet winters: Long rainy seasons saturate soil and test sump pumps and drains.
- Clay laterals: Old laterals collect roots from mature trees.
- Crawl-space moisture: Damp crawl spaces corrode pipes.
- Galvanized supply: Older North End and Hilltop homes may still have galvanized supply.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Tacoma and Pierce County, including Stadium District, North End, Hilltop, Proctor, South Tacoma, Point Defiance. ZIP codes: 98401 · 98402 · 98403 · 98404 · 98405 · 98406.
When to call a plumber in Tacoma
- 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 Tacoma
Do Tacoma water heaters need earthquake straps?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Tacoma
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