Hot Water Tank Repair and Replacement in Calgary

Calgary hot water tank replacement can be expensive, and many homeowners find themselves torn between the decision to get their tank replaced as quickly as possible or to go without hot water while they await repairs. Regardless of your heater type and service need, our experienced team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary can inspect, repair, and install hot water heaters in your Calgary home.

Our Calgary Hot Water Tank Services

Unless you’re savvy in all things plumbing, you may find it difficult to figure out what the problem is with your current hot water heater. It’s not working as it should, you know that much. But whether this problem is fixable or it’s time to say goodbye to your old unit and say hello to a new heater, the answer to that question may not be nearly as clear.

That’s where our water heater experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary come in. We have the knowledge and experience to diagnose the cause of your failing system and determine whether it’s in your best financial interest to have it repaired, or whether you’re better off getting a new tank installation. Depending on our findings and your final decision, we’ll offer one of these two services: Calgary hot water tank repair or replacement.

Calgary Hot Water Tank Failure: Common Signs & Causes

There are so many components that can contribute to Calgary hot water tank failure that it can take hours of troubleshooting to find the culprit. Some of the issues you’re most likely to experience with your hot water heater include:

• Water that isn’t heating up enough, or at all. Your first sign of a failing heater is usually stepping into what you think is going to be a nice, relaxing hot shower and finding yourself doused in cold water. One of the causes of this may be that the thermostat on your unit is no longer working properly. In this case, simply ordering a new thermostat is all you need to do. Another issue could be with your pressure relief valve, in which case replacement is also a possibility.
• Leaking water. Is the water coming from a loose valve? Tighten your valves, or replace them if they’re not tightening as much as they should. If water is leaking from your tank itself, your tank is probably deteriorating. This is a clear indication that it’s time for a replacement.
• Discolored water. As you likely already know as a calgary resident, our water supply is considered to be ‘hard water’ due to a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these minerals, but they can cause build-up and corrosion, leading to rust. It’s this rust that can cause water to develop a dirty appearance. With a professional plumbing solution like water softener installation, you can prevent these minerals from damaging your plumbing system.
• Broken pilot light or heating element. If there's no pilot flame on your gas water heater or the heating element on your electric water heater is no longer functioning, you'll need to replace their respective heating components.
• Abnormal sounds. Hearing a sound that is suspiciously like that of boiling water? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary right away.

If it’s as simple as a faulty part that can be easily replaced and reinstalled for pennies, we’ll be happy to order the part and install it for you. In cases where the problem is more complex, there’s more than one component at fault, or your tank is already over ten years old, we’ll likely suggest using our tank replacement service instead.

Many Calgary homes today use storage tank water heaters, also known as conventional water heaters. If it’s been a while since you’ve had yours replaced, you’ll be pleased to know that conventional heaters on the market today have improved in terms of energy efficiency. However, if you really want to reduce your energy consumption, you can also replace your existing heater with a tankless water heater, which produces hot water on demand, or a hybrid hot water heater, which uses a combined heat pump and tank design to efficiently heat the water in your home.

Our expert plumbers will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of each type of heater with you, and regardless of the model you choose, we’ll get it properly installed as efficiently as possible so that you’re not without hot water for long.

Our Best Calgary Hot Water Tank Maintenance Tips

Most homeowners will outlive their hot water tanks, but with enough care, you can make sure your unit lasts as long as it possibly can. The following hot water heater repair and maintenance tips will help you get the biggest bang for your buck. Once a year, make sure you or your trusty Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary plumber:

• Checks the pressure release valve
• Flushes out any sediment within the tank
• Inspects the sacrificial anode (a component within your tank that attracts hard minerals to prevent the tank itself from corroding) and replace it as needed
• Ensures the valves are properly tightened

With these simple maintenance tips, you can noticeably extend the lifespan of your unit and avoid having to pay the expensive upfront costs associated with tank replacement.

Why Choose Mr. Rooter of calgary for Your Hot Water Tank Needs?

When our customers decide to call a plumber, it’s rarely for preventative maintenance—though we wish it was! Most of the time, we get a call because an unexpected plumbing issue has occurred that requires immediate attention. When this happens, our customers tend to be under a lot of stress. If you don’t choose the right Calgary emergency plumber, you could find yourself even more stressed out while waiting for your plumbing contractor to show up on time or upon seeing your final invoice at the end of the service.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary, our professional technicians will show up at your doorstep on time. All of our plumbing professionals are fully licensed and insured, so you'll have peace of mind knowing that you won't be on the hook for any mistakes a less experienced plumber might make. We're also proud to offer upfront pricing and absolutely no overtime costs, so there won't be any nasty surprises once we've finished the job. When you choose us for your Calgary hot water tank service needs, you'll also be backed by our workmanship and parts guarantee.

When working with us, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Calgary Hot Water Tank Repair and Replacement FAQs

Is It Worth It To Repair a Hot Water Heater?

Sometimes. And sometimes not.

Deciding whether it’s worth it to repair versus replace your hot water heater sometimes comes down to a judgment call. Something you’ll need to consider when making this decision is the level of energy consumption of your current unit. If a repair will cost you nearly the same amount as a brand-new water heater, and the newer unit will be much more energy-efficient, allowing you to reduce your monthly utility bill—then replacement makes sense.

If you need a few small, cost-effective part replacements, the decision becomes a little less clear. An old tank that's showing multiple signs of breakdown may be inexpensive to fix today, but when a larger problem arises three months down the road, and it's time for replacement, you'll have spent money on parts that you barely used.

Because the decision can be difficult, our plumbing experts can use their knowledge and experience to offer you their informed opinion on the matter. Ultimately though, the decision is yours.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Hot Water Tank in Calgary?

We'd love to give you specific numbers, but the cost of Calgary hot water tank replacement varies considerably depending on the company you use to install it, the type of water heater you choose, and the manufacturer. There's a pretty big difference in price between conventional, tankless, and hybrid heaters, with the former generally being the least expensive and the latter being the most expensive.

There’s no doubt that hot water heater replacement is a significant expense, but we discourage our customers from automatically picking the cheapest option. Though the initial costs may be lower, there may be hidden costs such as a shorter lifespan of the unit and poor energy efficiency, which will increase your utility bill.

If you really want a price range, a recent estimate for hot water heater replacement in Canada ranged somewhere between $105 and $8300. We weren’t kidding when we said this estimated range wasn’t very helpful.

We encourage you to shop around a little on your own before deciding, and when you’re ready to pursue installation, contact us for a quote.

What is the Life Expectancy of a Water Heater?

No matter which type of heater you choose, it’s unlikely to go much longer than a couple of decades. The better you are with maintenance, the longer it’ll last. When determining whether the upfront costs outweigh the energy savings, you’ll want to consider the average lifespans of each type of unit:

• Conventional units last an average of 10 to 15 years
• Tankless units last an average of 20 years
• Hybrid units last an average of 12 to 18 years

What is a Standard Size Calgary Hot Water Tank?

The standard tank size for a hot water tank in Calgary is 40 gallons or 150 litres. However, they may be as large as 120 gallons, or 450 litres. The smaller, standard tank size will generally supply a 10-to-15-minute shower, after which the tank will need time to refill and reheat.

If you have substantial hot water needs in your home, it may be worth considering a tankless unit instead.

What Trips the Reset Button on a Hot Water Heater?

Electric hot water heaters can sometimes shut off due to their reset button being automatically triggered by the system. This is actually an important safety feature, as it prevents your heater from making the water too hot, which could lead to tank failure and injuries. When this reset button is tripped for no apparent reason, it can become a bit of an annoyance.

Some of the causes of this issue could be a broken thermostat, a broken element, or issues with the electrical wiring. Regardless, it’s probably a good idea to call in a professional.

Can I Fix a Hot Water Heater Myself?

Some hot water tank repairs in Calgary can certainly be done without the help of a professional plumber. The problem lies not in the repair itself, but in determining which repair is often needed. We sometimes get calls from perplexed customers who have spent money ordering numerous part replacements that they thought would fix the issue but didn’t.

In the end, these customers ended up spending more than they would have if they had just called in the professionals in the first place. Unless you’ve fixed a Calgary hot water tank before, it’ll likely save you both time and money to use our inspection service.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary Today!

Hot water tank repairs in Calgary can be stressful, but they don't need to be. Whether you require an inspection, repair, replacement, or emergency plumbing service, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary is at your disposal. We proudly serve all communities across Calgary, including Glamorgan, Elboya, and Lincoln Park. We offer everything from tankless water heaters to hot water tank installation.

To schedule an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you, give our office a call us, or fill out our online job estimate request form to schedule an in-person consultation.