3 services · Indianapolis
Water heaters in Indianapolis, IN
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 Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis: what's different
Indianapolis basements often hold water heaters near floor drains. Cold winters make heaters work harder.
Permits come from the City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.
Older basements often have the heater beside a floor drain and laundry tub, and newer homes have heaters in finished basements or garages. Hard water leaves sediment that reduces efficiency, so annual flushing helps. Replacing an older heater before it fails avoids basement water damage and is a good time to add an expansion tank.
Permits come from the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.
- Water and sewer in Indianapolis
- Citizens Energy Group provides water and wastewater service in Indianapolis.
- Permits in Indianapolis
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.
Indianapolis housing and plumbing
Irvington, Meridian-Kessler and Fountain Square have early 1900s homes with basements and older drains.
Other Indianapolis conditions that affect plumbing
- Sump pumps: Spring rain and high groundwater keep sump pumps busy.
- Frozen pipes: Cold snaps freeze pipes near exterior walls.
- Older laterals: Clay laterals in older neighborhoods collect roots.
- DigIndy tunnels: Citizens Energy Group's DigIndy tunnel system reduces combined sewer overflows, but older neighborhoods can still see backups in big storms.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Indianapolis and Marion County, including Broad Ripple, Irvington, Fountain Square, Meridian-Kessler, Butler-Tarkington, Lockerbie Square. ZIP codes: 46201 · 46202 · 46203 · 46204 · 46205 · 46206.
When to call a plumber in Indianapolis
- 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 Indianapolis
How often should I flush my Indianapolis water heater?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Indianapolis
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