3 services · Illinois
Water heaters in Illinois
Illinois basements usually hold the water heater beside floor drains and laundry tubs, so 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 Illinois: what to know
Cold incoming water in winter makes heaters work harder, and hard groundwater in places like Rockford shortens tank life. Older homes may share a chimney between the heater and furnace, which has to be checked at replacement.
Replacements need a permit and a licensed plumber; in Chicago, permits come from the Department of Buildings.
- Climate
- Hard freezes are a regular part of winter in Illinois, 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
- Chicago's older bungalows and two-flats commonly have basements, older cast-iron drains and clay sewer lines, and basement flooding during storms is a frequent problem. 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 Illinois
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Water heaters questions in Illinois
Where are water heaters in most Illinois 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 Illinois
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