Water heater repair and replacement in San Diego
No hot water, a leak at the tank, or a heater past its prime? Get connected with an independent, licensed water heater company serving San Diego County, for tank and tankless.
Send a request any time
- Tank and tankless replacement, with permits
- Repairs: no hot water, pilot, valves, leaks
- Free to you, with no obligation to hire
SD Water Heaters is a free referral service, not a plumbing company. We connect you with independent, licensed water heater companies serving San Diego County.
Water heater leaking? Do this first
- Shut off the water at the cold-water valve on the pipe into the top of the heater.
- Shut off the energy: gas control to off or pilot, or the breaker for an electric heater.
- Find the source: a fitting or valve is often fixable; a leak from the tank body means replacement.
- Protect the floor: mop up, photograph damage, and keep away from electrical parts in standing water.
More on leaking water heaters →
Why San Diego is hard on water heaters
The City of San Diego reports its water averages about 16 grains per gallon of hardness. Minerals settle as sediment in tank heaters and build up as scale in tankless units. The Department of Energy notes that tankless manufacturers may require a water softener when water is harder than roughly 8 to 14 grains per gallon.How hard water affects your heater.
What the code and permits require
California law requires tank water heaters to be strapped for earthquakes. The plumbing code calls for a drain pan wherever a leak could cause damage, and thermal expansion control on closed water systems. In the City of San Diego, a tank replacement uses a simple no-plan permit, while tankless installs need a plan-required permit.Straps, permits and code explained.
Water heater services
Water Heater Replacement
Replacing an old or failed tank, with the permit, straps and code upgrades done right.
Learn more →Water Heater Repair
No hot water, a pilot that will not stay lit, a dripping relief valve or strange noises.
Learn more →Tankless Water Heater Installation
Switching to tankless: sizing, gas and venting, permits and San Diego hard water.
Learn more →Leaking Water Heater
Water around the heater? What to shut off now, and whether it can be fixed.
Learn more →Water heater guides
What does water heater replacement cost in San Diego?
The parts of the price, from the heater itself to permits and code upgrades.
Tankless vs tank water heater in San Diego
Lifespan, cost, sizing, permits and the hard-water question.
Water heater leaking from the bottom
Failed tank or fixable valve? How to tell, and what to shut off now.
Water heater straps, permits and code in San Diego
Earthquake straps, drain pans, expansion tanks and permits, in plain English.
San Diego hard water and your water heater
What 16 grains per gallon means for tanks, tankless units and maintenance.
How long do water heaters last?
Typical lifespans, how to find your heater's age, and warning signs.
Common questions
How long do water heaters last?
The U.S. Department of Energy puts tank water heaters at 10 to 15 years and tankless units at up to about 20. Hard water and skipped maintenance shorten that.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in San Diego?
Yes. In the City of San Diego a tank replacement uses a simple no-plan plumbing permit; tankless units and historic homes need a plan-required permit. Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and other cities issue their own permits.
Tank or tankless?
Tankless lasts longer and does not run out mid-shower when sized right, but costs more to install and needs more care in San Diego's hard water. See our tankless vs tank guide for the details.
Is SD Water Heaters a plumbing company?
No. We are a free referral service. When you call or send a request, we connect you with an independent, licensed water heater company serving your part of San Diego County. That company quotes, installs and is responsible for the work.
How do I check that a plumber is licensed?
Ask for their California contractor license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. Water heater work falls under the C-36 plumbing classification.
No hot water, or a leak at the tank?
Get connected with a licensed water heater company serving San Diego County.