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Water heater installation, repair, and replacement in San Diego

If you want to always have hot watered in your house, then you need a good water heater installed. The Almco Plumbing team will make sure that hot water is available to you 24/7. You can contact us for the installation, repair, or replacement of water heaters.

Water heater types

Storage tank water heater

Conventional storage water heaters are installed in most San Diego homes. This is an inexpensive and reliable way to consistently provide yourself with hot water. Tank water heaters are inexpensive, plus they are also one of the easiest to install. Depending on your needs, you can install a tank in the house with a volume of 20 to 80 liters. The size of the tank should be chosen depending on the water consumption and the amount of free space in the house. For example, a family of 4-5 people can provide hot water with a tank of 50 liters. The heating of water in a tank is provided at the expense of gas or electricity.

Electric water heater

Electric storage water heaters are convenient for home use. They are powered by electricity, and as long as there is light in the house, you will have hot water. The tank works according to the following principle: water fills the tank to its entire volume and everything heats up. So, if you have an electric tank of 30 liters, you will have 30 liters of hot water. It will immediately go from the hot water tap – you will not need to wait for the water to heat up.

Gas water heater

Gas water heaters are cheaper to operate than electric ones. They work on a similar basis: water enters the tank, heats up and as a result, you have a large supply of hot water. The service life of such a system is 10-15 years. They are easy to operate but require regular checks.

Tankless water heater

The tankless water heaters are one of the most popular alternatives to classic water heaters. They produce hot water instantly by heating the coils through which it passes. Tankless water heaters, unlike solar water heaters, do not depend on the climate. Thus, the house will always have hot water in almost unlimited quantities. However, tankless systems are more expensive to install. If they break, it will be harder to find a specialist and repairs will also be more expensive.

Water heater failing diagnostics

If you already have a water heater installed, but there is no hot water, then a breakdown has occurred. Other signs may indicate that the water heater needs repair, for example:

🔹 the water has changed color and has become sandy or rusty;
🔹 the water has a sharp unpleasant odor;
🔹 water flows out of the tank;
🔹 hot water runs out quickly;
🔹 the water does not heat up enough and feels barely warm.

In this case, we recommend contacting a plumber for diagnosis. Using such water can be harmful to your health. Owners of water heaters of any type need to remember that they need to carry out a regular preventive inspection of the tank once a year. This will allow you to detect non-obvious damage and repair them in a timely manner. You can contact the plumbing company Almco Plumbing to diagnose the condition of the tank.

Water heater installation

Installing a water heater is a complex procedure that requires plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilating, and carpentry skills. Self-installation of water heaters is not recommended. San Diego strictly regulates the quality of the water that residents consume. Therefore, before installing any type of tank, you need to obtain permission. Even if you had a tank before, you still need to get permission to install a new one. After installing the tank, you also need to get a second permit, which confirms that the tank is installed correctly and does not pose health risks to its owners.

The Almco Plumbing team is installing water heaters. We will quickly and inexpensively install a gas or electric water heater in your home. For your convenience, we also take care of obtaining permission to install a water heater.

Water heater repair

Tank failures can be caused by mineral buildup from hard water, system overload, ignition, or flame supply failure. In this case, the tank does not need to be replaced – you just need to call a plumber to fix it. You can understand that your tank needs to be repaired if you have lost hot water, it began to run out quickly, or stopped heating enough. We do not recommend repairing the water heater yourself. If you find that your water heater is broken, contact Almco plumbers for help. We have over 10 years of experience in water heater repair.

Water heater replacement

Replacement of the water heater may be necessary in the following cases:

🔹 The tank is rusted. Because of this, it can no longer heat water. In addition, rust spoils the quality of water, which is harmful to health. It is impossible to save an aging water heater if it has rust.
🔹 The water heater is making strange noises. This may be due to the accumulation of minerals. Inside old tanks, such a dense layer of minerals can form on the walls that there is no other way out than replacement.
🔹 Worn out by time. The average service life of tanks is 10-15 years. At the same time, there is a difference in service life for different types of tanks. For example, a 40-liter tank lasts an average of 8 years, and a 50-liter water heater lasts 12 years. If your tank is older than this age, we recommend replacing it.

If the broken water heater cannot be repaired, then we will recommend replacing it. You can also contact Almco for plumbing services for this.

Cost to install or fix water heater

In the table below we have indicated the cost of the tank depending on its size.

Number of people	Tank size	Price
1-2 people	20 to 30 gallon tank	$270 to $900
3-4 people	30 to 50 gallon tank	$320 to $2,200
5 people and more	50 to 80 gallon tank	$400 to $3,000

When choosing a tank, remember that electric water heaters cost $100 to $200 less than gas water heaters. However, gas tanks are cheaper to operate, so for long-term use or for a large family, they are the best choice. Electric water heaters will be more convenient for a small family.

A separate item of expenditure will be the installation of a water heater. The average cost of installing a water heater ranges from $150 or up to $1,000. The cost depends on the type of tank and the plumber’s rate per hour. When planning your budget, keep in mind that installing a gas or electric tank will take about 3 hours. It is also important to consider obtaining permits to install a new water heater or replace an old one. Their total cost can be from $50 to $500.

Thus, the final cost of installation, together with obtaining permission, purchasing the device, and the work of a plumber, will cost you between $500 and $4,500.

If you need to replace an old tank, the job will cost $100 to $500. The larger and heavier the tank, the higher the price will be. The cost to replace a water heater is from $800 to $1,200. The price includes the price of the device and installation work. In general, it will come out cheaper, since the main routes have already been laid.

Book water heater installation, repair, and replacement at Almco Plumbing

Almco Plumbing is a reputable plumbing company in San Diego. We have been working for more than 10 years and we know everything about the installation of water heating tanks in the house. You can contact us for diagnostics, repair, replacement, or installation of a new water heater. We only install tank electric and gas water heaters. We do not install the tankless water heater. Why should you use Almco Plumbing services?

🔹 We will help you get permission to install a water heater;
🔹 We have over 10 years of experience in installing, replacing, and repairing tanks;
🔹 We have a proven track record from Yelp, Expertise and Angi;
🔹 We are punctual and arrive strictly at the appointed time;
🔹 We have reasonable prices, and therefore replacing the old tank or installing a new one will not hit your pocket;
🔹 We provide a cost estimate in advance, which will allow you to plan your budget and avoid unnecessary expenses.

In order to apply for diagnostics, repair, replacement, or installation of a water heater, simply fill in the fields in the form below. Leave your contact details, choose the date of the plumber’s arrival – and we will solve your problem.

Leave your request for water line repair

No need to search anymore. Contact our plumbers, and we will be happy to help! We have an experienced team that will repair any line problem you have. Almco specialists are ready to meet your challenge. Call us or leave a request by filling out the form below. Phone: (858) 209-7214. Book visit of our plumber anytime you need

FAQ

Some breakdowns can be repaired. It happens when the fire supply system breaks down at the tank or a thin layer of minerals accumulates on the walls. However, there are cases when the tank requires urgent replacement. For example, your tank may be heating water, but it is rusty, or the water heater itself starts to make strange sounds. In this case, it is recommended to replace the tank before it breaks completely.
Yes. San Diego strictly regulates the quality of the water that residents consume. Therefore, before installing any type of tank, you need to obtain permission. Even if you had a tank before, you still need to get permission to install a new one. After installing the tank, you also need to obtain a second permit, which confirms that the tank is installed correctly and does not pose health risks to its owners. Almco Plumbing can help you get both permits.
The cost of installing a water heater ranges from $150 or up to $1,000. Another thing to keep in mind when planning your budget is that the tank itself can cost anywhere from $300 or up to $3,000. And for obtaining a permit, you will have to pay from $50 or up to $500. The price depends on the type and size of the tank. The small 20-liter electric tanks are the cheapest option, while the 80-liter gas tank is the most expensive.
To fix the tank – call a plumber. We do not recommend doing this yourself, as it requires plumbing skills and special tools. You can contact the specialists from Almco Plumbing for water heater repair.
Choose a company with extensive experience and a good reputation. You can check the company’s rating on Yelp, Angi, and other trustworthy directories. Also, focus on how the company operates. A good contractor will provide you with a cost estimate in advance and will also help you get a permit. To install a gas or electric water heater, you can contact the experts from Almco Plumbing.
After installing the water heater, you will receive instructions with a step-by-step description of what you can and cannot do with the tank. The main thing to remember is that the tank requires regular technical inspection. You will also need to drain the water from the storage tank every three months. The temperature valve should be checked every six months. And every four years it is recommended to check the anode rod.
Most manufacturers give a 30-day warranty on their devices. In order to take advantage of the warranty, you need to register your device by serial number on the manufacturer’s website.
The water heater serves from 8 to 15 years. The service life depends on its volume, intensity of operation, and maintenance features. So, a 50-liter tank with annual maintenance will last you 15 years.