Surprise water heaters
Water Heater Repair and Installation in Surprise, AZ
Many Surprise homes are on their first or second water heater from the building boom, and a lot of them are due. We repair what is worth repairing and replace the rest, including tankless upgrades.
- Tank and tankless
- Hard water specialists
- Honest advice
A Replacement Wave in Surprise
Surprise grew fast in the late 1990s and 2000s, and thousands of homes were built with similar 40 and 50 gallon tank water heaters in the garage. Those original heaters have mostly failed by now, and many of the replacements installed around 2010 to 2015 are reaching the end of their life too.
Two things speed that up in Surprise: hard water and heat. Minerals settle to the bottom of the tank as sediment, which makes the heater work harder and louder. Garages above 110 degrees in summer are tough on relief valves and gas controls.
If your water heater is over ten years old, it is worth knowing the signs of a tank that is close to the end, so you can replace it on your schedule instead of after it floods the garage.
Signs Your Surprise Water Heater Is Wearing Out
- Popping, rumbling or crackling sounds while heating
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to
- Rusty or discolored hot water
- Water around the base of the tank
- Moisture or rust at the pipe connections on top
- The manufacture date on the label is ten or more years back
One or two of these can be repairable. A leak from the tank body or rust in the hot water on an older tank usually means it is time.
Thinking About Tankless in Surprise?
Tankless water heaters are popular in Surprise, especially when a family is tired of running out of hot water or wants the garage space back. They heat water on demand, so a properly sized unit keeps up with back-to-back showers.
Before switching, a few things need to check out:
- Gas supply. Tankless units need more gas at once than a tank. Some homes need a larger gas line.
- Venting. The unit needs a proper vent path, which can affect where it goes.
- Hard water. Scale builds up in the heat exchanger. With Surprise water, plan on regular descaling, or pair it with a water softener.
We install tankless units like the Rinnai shown here. If a new tank is the better value for your home, we will say so. More detail is on our main water heater page.
Leaving Sun City Grand for the Summer?
If you spend summers away from your Surprise home, set your water heater to vacation mode or turn it off, and shut the main water valve. A water heater sitting on for months in a hot garage with no one home is a risk. When you return, run the hot water at each faucet for a minute to flush the lines before using it.
Flushing a Surprise Water Heater
Hard water leaves minerals in the bottom of every tank water heater in Surprise. Flushing drains that sediment out, which can quiet a rumbling tank and help it heat more efficiently.
Flushing works best as maintenance on a younger tank. On an older tank that has never been flushed, the sediment may be packed hard, and opening the drain valve can sometimes cause the old valve to leak. We will tell you honestly whether flushing is worth it on your heater or whether you are better off putting that money toward a replacement.
For tankless heaters, the equivalent is descaling: circulating a cleaning solution through the heat exchanger to remove mineral buildup. With Surprise water, most tankless units benefit from this regularly.
Upgrading to a Larger Tank
Families that have grown since they moved in often find the original 40 gallon tank cannot keep up. Moving to a 50 gallon tank, or to tankless, is common. We check that the space, gas line or electrical circuit can support the change.
Surprise Area Customers on Our Water Heater Work
I had a nasty leak inside a wall that was unaccessible due to being directly behind my hot water heater. I called Alex at 8am Sunday morning, he answered my call, was at my residence within the hour, and had my leak fixed by 11am. Alex is a true professional!
Tim Garland
I highly recommend Alex for any plumbing needs! From start to finish, he provided exceptional service. He was courteous, professional, and genuinely took the time to explain everything clearly.
Scott Bohn
Surprise Water Heater Questions
How long do water heaters last in Surprise?
Many tank heaters here last closer to 8 to 10 years than the 12 you might expect, because of hard water and garage heat. Flushing and a softener help.
Can I replace my 50 gallon tank with a tankless unit?
Usually, yes, if the gas line and venting can support it. We check both before recommending it.
Why is my water heater making a popping noise?
Sediment from hard water is sitting on the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help if the tank is not too old.
Do you haul away my old water heater?
Yes. Removal and disposal are part of every replacement.
Keep Exploring: Surprise and Nearby
More Surprise services
- Drain cleaning in Surprise
- Leak detection in Surprise
- Sewer line repair in Surprise
- Repiping in Surprise
- Water softener installation in Surprise
- Emergency plumber in Surprise
Nearby areas
Water Heater Trouble in Surprise?
Tell us what it is doing and how old it is. Alex will call back with options.