3 services · Fresno
Water heaters in Fresno, CA
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 Fresno
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 Fresno
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 Fresno: what's different
Fresno summers regularly pass 100°F, and attic and garage water heaters sit in that heat, stressing tanks and relief valves. Hard groundwater and surface water leave scale that shortens tank life.
Older homes in the Tower District and Fig Garden may have heaters in tight closets with venting that needs updating, and California requires seismic straps on every install. Permits come from the City of Fresno's Development and Resource Management Department.
- Water and sewer in Fresno
- The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities provides water and wastewater service. Fresno installed water meters citywide around 2013.
- Permits in Fresno
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Fresno's Development and Resource Management Department.
Fresno housing and plumbing
The Tower District and Fig Garden have 1920s–1950s homes with galvanized supply and cast-iron or clay drains. North Fresno is largely 1970s and newer slab construction.
Other Fresno conditions that affect plumbing
- Hard water: Groundwater and surface water in Fresno leave scale in heaters and fixtures.
- Summer heat: Attic and garage water heaters sit in extreme heat, stressing tanks and relief valves.
- Galvanized pipe: Older homes still have galvanized supply that corrodes and loses pressure.
- Older laterals: Clay and cast-iron laterals in the Tower District and Fig Garden crack and collect roots from mature trees.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Fresno and Fresno County, including Tower District, Fig Garden, Woodward Park, Sunnyside, Downtown, Old Fig. ZIP codes: 93650 · 93701 · 93702 · 93703 · 93704 · 93705.
When to call a plumber in Fresno
- 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 Fresno
Why do Fresno water heaters wear out faster?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Fresno
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