Tank failed? What to do right now
- Gas smell: leave the building and call Enbridge Gas Utah at 1-800-767-1689 or 911 from outside before you call a plumber.
- Close the cold water valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater.
- Turn off the breaker for an electric heater, or the gas control knob for a gas one.
- Attach a hose to the drain valve and run it outdoors only if the water has cooled and you are comfortable doing so.
- Photograph the tank, the label and the damage for your insurance claim, then call the 24/7 line.
We schedule same-day replacement visits when available, so a failed tank does not have to mean days of cold showers.
Signs the tank is past repair
Parts can be swapped, but the steel tank cannot be repaired once corrosion breaks through. Water leaving the shell is the clearest sign. The same applies when the repair history is getting long, because each part buys less time.
- Water seeping from the seam or base,not from a pipe fitting on top.
- Rust-colored hot waterthat keeps returning after a flush.
- A tank that rumbles or pops loudlyfrom heavy sediment, with hot water running out quickly.
- Repairs piling up,such as a second thermostat or element in a short stretch.
- A bulging or deformed tank,which means stop using it and call.
If you are on the fence, our water heater repair visit tells you honestly which side of the line your unit sits on.
Tank, tankless or heat pump: what to replace it with
| Type | Best suited to | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Same-type tank (gas or electric) | Fast swap with little change to pipes, vents or wiring | Same standby loss, same tank size limits |
| Larger or smaller tank | Households whose hot water use has changed | Needs space, and gas venting or electric load may change |
| Tankless (gas or electric) | Endless hot water and a smaller footprint | Gas line and venting often need upgrading. See our tankless page |
| Heat pump (hybrid) tank | Lower running cost where there is room and warm air | Taller, needs airflow and a condensate drain, and has more parts |
We lay out the work each option adds before you choose. A tank for tank swap is the quickest, but a different type may suit your home better if you plan to stay for years.
Need a heater swapped today?
Call the 24/7 line and describe the old unit: gas or electric, tank size, and where it sits. We ask a few questions, then give you a clear price before work starts.
What a proper replacement includes
Shut down and drain
We close water, power and gas, drain the old tank and disconnect the supply, gas and vent connections.
Set the pan and new tank
A pan goes under the heater where a leak would damage finished space. Utah's amendment says a heater pan may receive discharge from the heater only, and its drain may tie into a soil or waste stack only when the code official permits, trapped and vented.
Strap it to resist earthquake motion
Utah Code 15A-3-305 calls for straps in the upper and lower third of the heater's height, anchored to resist sideways movement.
Connect and vent
New flexible connectors, a relief valve with a discharge line, and for gas, a checked gas connection and flue.
Test, then haul away
We fill the tank, check for leaks, set the temperature, test combustion on gas units and take the old heater with us.
Expansion tanks come up on many installs. A plumber confirms whether your system needs one, and we raise it before work starts.
Riverton factors that change a replacement
Riverton's 2022 water quality report lists average hardness of about 190 mg/L, roughly 11 grains per gallon. Scale builds faster in harder water, and it shortens the life of heating elements and tank bottoms. Pairing a new heater with a water softener is worth discussing if your tap tests hard.
Permits are the other local question. Riverton says a building permit is required for work on plumbing, gas and mechanical systems the code regulates, and you apply by emailing building@rivertonutah.gov. The page does not say whether a like-for-like swap needs one, so ask the Riverton building department before you schedule.
What decides the price of a new heater
Heater type and size
Tank volume, fuel type and whether you choose tank, tankless or hybrid set most of the total.
Venting and gas work
Gas heaters need a safe flue and gas connection, and older vents sometimes need rework.
Code items
Strapping, a pan, a relief valve line and a possible expansion tank each add materials and time.
Access to the old unit
Attics, stairways and tight closets make removal slower.
After-hours scheduling
A midnight call costs more than an appointment booked for a weekday.
Homeowners policies often cover sudden tank failure that damages floors and walls, but usually not the heater itself or slow leaks from wear. Check your policy and call the 24/7 line for a real number.
Replacing a water heater in Riverton: your questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7, and a licensed plumber can handle same-day replacement when available. Shut the cold valve above the tank and turn off power or gas while you wait.
Water from the tank seam or base means replace. Water from a fitting, valve or element usually means repair. Our diagnosis separates the two before you spend money.
Utah's plumbing code amendment (15A-3-305) says tank heaters must be anchored or strapped to resist earthquake motion, with straps in the upper and lower third of the unit's height. We include strapping in every replacement.
Riverton says a building permit is required for work on plumbing systems the code regulates, but it does not say whether a like-for-like swap qualifies. Ask the Riverton building department. We can tell you what we install so you can describe the job.
Often yes, but the gas line size, venting and electrical supply decide it. We check them before quoting. Our installation page describes the planned-work side.
A standard swap is usually a single visit, but access and venting can add work. We tell you what to expect once we see the unit, and we do not promise a set number of hours.