Tank failed and flooding right now: the first ten minutes
Stop the incoming water
Turn the cold supply valve on top of the heater clockwise until it seats. If that valve will not turn, shut the main at the house. Do not force a stuck handle, since a broken stem makes things worse.
Remove the power source
Switch off the heater's two-pole breaker if it is electric. For gas, turn the control to off. Never run an empty electric tank, because the elements burn out dry.
Do not drain it yet
Water inside can be 120 degrees or hotter. Leave it for us unless water is pouring out, in which case attach a hose to the drain valve and run it outside with care.
Record what you see
Photos of the leak, the rating plate and the water damage help with insurance and let us bring the right size. Keep any wet items for the adjuster if a claim is likely.
Our line at (407) 964-8940 answers at night and on weekends. Ask about a same-day swap when you call.
How a tank swap goes from the old unit to hot water
We begin by confirming the fuel, venting and electrical or gas connections, then drain the old tank through a hose. After disconnecting, we carry the old tank out and set the new one on a fresh pan when the space allows. New flexible connectors, a new relief valve and a proper discharge pipe go in at this stage.
Fill comes next. We open a hot faucet inside to purge air, check every joint for weeping, then restore power or light the burner. On a gas heater we also check the flue draft and the gas line for leaks with a manometer or leak solution.
Many swaps take a few hours, and longer if the venting, the gas line or the shutoff valves need work. We tell you about those extras at the start, so the final price does not surprise you.
Gas, electric, hybrid or tankless: choosing before the old tank leaves
Replacement is the moment to switch fuel types, and also the most expensive time to change your mind. Think about the fuel you have now, the space around it, and what the electrical panel can carry. If you want on-demand hot water, our tankless water heater service explains what changes.
| Type | Good fit when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Gas tank | A gas line and a vent already serve the spot | Flue condition, combustion air, venting size |
| Electric tank | No gas line, or the unit sits in a closet or attic | A 30-amp double-pole circuit and wire size |
| Hybrid heat pump | Electric home with open space and a drain nearby | Needs about 700 cubic feet of air and a condensate line |
| Tankless | You want space back and steady hot water | Larger gas line, venting and a higher upfront cost |
Sizing the new tank: gallons and recovery rate
A 40-gallon tank often fits one or two people, a 50-gallon tank fits three or four, and an 80-gallon unit suits a large household with a soaking tub. The number on the label to watch is the first-hour rating, which shows how much hot water the unit can deliver in 60 minutes from cold.
Bigger is not always better. An oversized tank wastes standby heat and costs more, while an undersized one runs out during the second shower. We ask how many people live there, how many bathrooms you have, and whether back-to-back showers and laundry happen together.
What gets replaced, and what we ask you to prepare
A proper replacement is more than the tank. These items usually come off or go in during the visit.
- The tank itself, hauled away after draining.
- New flexible water connectors on the hot and cold lines.
- A new temperature and pressure relief valve and its discharge pipe.
- A shutoff valve on the cold line if the old one is seized.
- A drain pan under the tank when the space allows.
- An expansion tank when the system is closed by a backflow device or check valve.
- A new gas flex line and sediment trap on gas units.
- Clear access, 3 feet around the heater, and a pet shut away.
Leak at the base: why a split tank is not a repair job
What happens inside the steel
A tank is a steel shell with a glass lining. Over time, the sacrificial anode rod is eaten away, and water reaches bare steel. Rust then perforates the shell, usually near the bottom where sediment sits.
How to confirm it is the tank
Water coming from the underside of the jacket, or rust-stained insulation, means the shell is gone. A drip at the relief valve or at a pipe connection is a different problem. When in doubt, a technician will test before suggesting a new tank, and we will point you back to a repair visit if the fault turns out to be a part.
Why waiting costs more
A slow leak soaks subfloor and drywall, and a sudden failure can release 40 to 50 gallons at once. The tank itself will not get cheaper by waiting.
What a new water heater costs installed
The price depends on the tank, the fuel and the job around it. We state a clear number once we see the heater and the space.
| Typical installed replacement | Typical ballpark |
|---|---|
| 40 to 50 gallon electric tank, like for like | $1,400 to $2,400 |
| 40 to 50 gallon gas tank, like for like | $1,600 to $2,800 |
| Hybrid heat pump tank | $3,000 to $4,800 |
| Add expansion tank, pan or vent work | $150 to $600 |
- Tank size and efficiencyA 50-gallon unit costs more than a 40, and a high-efficiency or hybrid model costs more again.
- Fuel switchChanging from gas to electric, or the reverse, adds gas line, vent or electrical work.
- Venting and code itemsOld flues, undersized vent pipe, or missing pans and expansion tanks add parts and time.
- LocationAn open garage is faster than a tight attic or a second-floor closet.
- TimingA same-day or after-hours swap may carry extra charges, which we state first.
Those are typical ballparks and they change with the job. You approve the price before we remove the old tank.
Replacing a heater in Altamonte Springs: rentals, condos and permits
About 10,382 of the city's 21,196 housing units are renter-occupied, according to Census data for 2017 to 2021, so many failed heaters belong to a landlord or an association. If you rent, call your property manager first and ask who orders the work. We can meet them on site.
On the permit question, the city's Building and Fire Safety Department lists a stand-alone plumbing permit type, but we do not state a water heater rule here. Ask Building and Fire Safety at (407) 571-8446 before any swap, or ask us and we will tell you what we do on each job. We cover Casselberry homes near Fern Park too.
Old heater, new heater: when we repair, and what we do not do
If a part is cheap and the tank shell is sound, we will tell you to fix it and keep the heater. Past about 10 years, or with rust at the seams, replacement is the better deal. If you plan the work ahead of time, our water heater installation page covers venting, gas and electric prep.
A panel upgrade is an electrician's job, and a new gas main run is a gas fitter's. A gas smell is a 911 call first, and the utility number on your bill second.
Questions about replacing a water heater
Yes. Call (407) 964-8940 any hour, and we dispatch for failed tanks and base leaks around the clock. Where our schedule allows, a same-day swap is offered, and the price is stated before we remove the old tank.
Many swaps take a few hours. Venting changes, gas line work or a tight attic can add time, and we explain that at the start.
Usually yes, but it is a bigger job. Going electric needs a suitable circuit and breaker, and going gas needs a gas line and a vent. We check both before quoting a price.
Count people and bathrooms, then check the first-hour rating. As a rough guide, 40 gallons suits one or two people, 50 gallons suits three or four, and bigger homes may need 80.
We do not state the city rule here because it is not confirmed on the pages we reviewed. Call the City Building and Fire Safety Department at (407) 571-8446 and ask before the work starts.
Yes, we drain it and carry it out as part of the job. Tell us if you want to keep any parts.