3 services · Utah
Water heaters in Utah
Elevation affects gas water heaters in Utah, which must be set up for altitude, and hard water shortens their life. Strapping is strongly recommended because of the Wasatch Fault.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Water heaters in Utah: what to know
Many homes have heaters in finished basements, so leaks are costly. Tankless units need annual descaling.
Replacements need a permit and a licensed plumber.
Hardness varies by neighborhood because Salt Lake City's water comes from different canyon sources. Older Avenues and Ogden homes may have heaters that share a chimney with the furnace. Adding an expansion tank and a softener is common at replacement.
- Climate
- Hard freezes are a regular part of winter in Utah, so pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and attics need protection every year, and outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines must be drained before the first freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Basements are common in the Salt Lake area, and the region is seismically active. 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 Utah
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Water heaters questions in Utah
Do Utah water heaters need earthquake straps?
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 Utah
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