Our phone line is open 24/7 if your tank is leaking. If you smell gas, leave first and follow the gas steps below. Otherwise shut the cold water valve above the heater, turn off the gas control or the breaker, then call and tell us the fuel type and tank size on the label.
A replacement is more than lifting one tank out and another in. The size, venting, strapping, drain pan and relief piping all matter. If your old heater is still working and you are planning an upgrade, water heater installation covers the planned side of it.
Emergency tank leak: stop the water first
A tank that is leaking from the body cannot be repaired. Water will keep escaping until the supply is closed, so the cold shutoff comes first. If it is gas and you smell gas, leave the house, do not use switches, call from outside or a neighbor's home, and call 911 if anyone is in danger. SoCalGas, if that is your provider.
A dripping fitting or relief valve is a different story and may be a water heater repair. If you are not sure, call and describe where the water is coming from.
While you wait for the plumber
- Close the cold water valve on top of the heater
- Turn off the gas control knob or the breaker
- Do not drain the tank yourself, because the water can scald
- Lay towels and move stored items off the floor
- Keep the path to the heater clear
- Write down the label details, or photograph them
Gas or electric: what changes the swap
Staying with the same fuel is the quickest swap. Gas units need a vent that draws properly and a gas connection that is tight and tested. Electric units need a circuit that matches the heater's wattage and a clear space to work.
Switching fuel is possible but is closer to an installation, with new gas piping or a new circuit. Heat pump and hybrid heaters also exist. They need space, a condensate drain and a warm-air allowance, so they suit some garages and not tight closets.
Need water heater replacement in Westminster? Our phone line is open 24/7.
Call (714) 750-8637Choosing the tank size for your household
Tank size follows the number of people and how many hot fixtures run at once. Bigger is not automatically better. An oversized tank costs more to buy and to keep hot.
| Household | Common tank size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 30 to 40 gallons | Fits most condos and small apartments |
| 3 to 4 people | 40 to 50 gallons | The most common home size |
| 5 or more people | 50 to 75 gallons | Look at first-hour rating, not just gallons |
| Large soaking tub or heavy use | Larger tank or tankless | Ask about recovery speed |
These are general guides. A plumber will compare the first-hour rating to your real usage before you decide.
Seismic strapping, relief piping and the expansion tank
California Health and Safety Code section 19211 says new and replacement water heaters must be braced, anchored or strapped. Strapping matters because a loose tank in an earthquake can tear off its gas or water lines.
A temperature and pressure relief valve needs a discharge pipe that runs to a safe spot. If your home has a closed system with a backflow device or pressure regulator, an expansion tank may also be needed to absorb the thermal expansion.
Ask the City of Westminster Building Division at 8200 Westminster Blvd, (714) 548-3254, whether a permit applies to your water heater. Walk-in hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 5:00.
Same-day appointments are offered when available. Call to ask about water heater replacement.
Call (714) 750-8637What roughly 14.7 grains of hardness means for the new tank
Westminster's 2024 water quality report shows average total hardness of 252 mg/L, roughly 14.7 grains per gallon. Scale builds on the bottom of the tank and on electric elements, and it shortens the life of any heater that is never flushed.
A new heater is a good time to start a yearly flush habit. If you want to cut the scale at the source, a softener or filter is worth asking about.
Garage corners and hall closets in 1970s Westminster homes
The median Westminster home was built around 1971, and many have the original heater in a garage corner or a narrow closet. Old gas flues may need a check, and old water lines may be galvanized or aging copper.
We check the vent, shutoff valves and connections before the new tank goes in. If a shutoff valve will not close, ask about replacing it while the tank is out.
How a same-day replacement usually goes
Same-day appointments are offered when available, and we give a clear price before work starts. The old tank is drained and disconnected, the new tank is set, strapped and connected, and gas or power is restored.
Before leaving, the plumber lights and tests the heater, checks the relief line and the connections for leaks, and removes the old unit.
- 1
Shut off and drain
Fuel and water are closed and the old tank is emptied.
- 2
Remove the old unit
Lines are disconnected and the tank is carried out for disposal.
- 3
Set and connect the new one
The new tank is positioned with a drain pan where the location calls for one, strapped and connected.
- 4
Test and walk through
Leaks, venting and temperature are checked before we leave.
California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires new and replacement water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped, and sellers must certify it. Ask the City Building Division, (714) 548-3254, whether a permit applies.
Water heater replacement questions from Westminster homeowners
Do you handle water heater replacement emergencies at night or on weekends in Westminster?
Yes. The phone line is answered 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call and describe the leak, and we will arrange a visit, with same-day appointments offered when available.
How long does a water heater last?
Many tank heaters last somewhere around eight to twelve years, depending on water quality, flushing and how hard they work. Hard water usually shortens that.
Is the old heater removed?
Ask what is included when you call, including haul-away of the old unit.
Can I move to a different fuel type?
Often yes, but it may require new gas piping or a new electrical circuit. Talk it through on the phone and we will explain what is involved.
Do I need a drain pan?
A pan under a tank in a finished space or closet helps catch leaks and direct water to a drain. Ask when you call.
What does a replacement cost?
It depends on the size, fuel type, venting and access. A typical tank replacement can run from a little over a thousand dollars to several thousand. You get a clear price before work starts.