Failed tank and a wet garage: what to do first
When a tank splits, it empties its whole volume onto the floor, and the damage grows with every minute of flow. Shut the cold water valve on the line above the heater first, then turn off the breaker or the gas control. Our line is answered around the clock, so call us once the water is stopped.
Stay out of standing water near any plugged-in equipment, and move boxes and stored items off the floor if it is safe. If there is a gas smell, leave the house and call the gas utility or 911 before anything else.
How a same-day tank swap runs
Stop the water and describe the unit
On the phone, tell us the fuel type, the tank size on the label if you can read it, and where the heater sits. That tells us what to bring.
Confirm the plan and the price
We look at the space, the venting, the shutoff valves and the drain pan before we quote. You hear the price before we touch anything.
Drain, disconnect and remove
The old tank is drained, the water, gas or electric connections are released and the unit is taken out of the space.
Set, connect, test and clean up
The new heater is set, connected, vented where needed and tested for leaks and temperature. Then we walk you through the shutoffs.
Standing in cold water at midnight?
We take emergency replacement calls after hours and on weekends, and book same-day work when it is available.
Tank or tankless: which replacement suits your home
A like-for-like tank swap is the fastest route after a failure. A tankless unit changes the venting, gas, electric and permit picture, so it deserves a planned visit. Our tankless page covers that route in detail.
| Factor | New tank | Tankless |
|---|---|---|
| Speed after a failure. | Usually the quickest swap. | Often needs more planning and parts. |
| Hot water supply. | Limited by tank size, then recovery. | Continuous, limited by flow rate. |
| Space. | Needs floor space. | Wall mounted, saves floor area. |
| Permit path. | Changeout form for like-for-like. | Plan check required in Greenacres. |
| Upfront scope. | Smaller. | Larger, may need new gas or electric supply. |
Permits, the Greenacres way
Replacing a water heater is a permitted job. For a like-for-like changeout, the City uses the Palm Beach County Universal Permit Application together with a Water Heater Changeout Form and the manufacturer specs, and applications are accepted electronically. When the work value reaches $5,000 or more, a Notice of Commencement is also needed.
Tankless and solar water heaters require plan check, which adds a step before installation. For specifics on your address, ask the City of Greenacres building department. Inspections are scheduled by 3:00 pm, so a late-day install may be inspected the next day.
Work must be done by a licensed contractor or an exempt owner-builder. You can confirm any contractor's license through the county search or the Florida DBPR Verify a Licensee page, and a Business Tax Receipt is not a license.
Signs the unit is past repairing
Sometimes the choice is made for you. These are the situations where a swap is the sensible move, and our repair service covers the ones that are not.
Water seeping from the tank body
A wet seam or a steady drip that does not come from a fitting means the shell has corroded through.
Rust-colored hot water
Brown water only from the hot taps points to the inside of the tank rotting out.
A rumbling tank with crusted sediment
Heavy scale on the floor of the tank wastes energy and often ends in a split seam.
Repeat repairs on an old unit
When parts keep failing on a tank that has already had a long service life, one more repair buys little.
Sizing the new heater
Tank size depends on how many people shower at once, how many bathrooms you have and whether a big soaking tub or a dishwasher shares the same morning. Replacing a 40 gallon tank with another 40 gallon tank is simple, but a household that has grown may be better served by a larger or a second option.
Fuel type is the other factor. Some callers ask about switching from gas to a heat pump unit, which changes the electrical load and the venting. We talk through those tradeoffs on the phone and again at the unit.
- Number of people and bathrooms.
- Peak morning demand.
- Existing fuel and venting.
- Space and clearance around the unit.
- Electrical capacity for a switch to electric or hybrid.
What changes the cost of replacing a water heater
A swap can be a straightforward trade or a project that touches the vent, the panel and the plumbing around the tank. The price is set before work starts.
What insurance may and may not cover
Policies treat a sudden tank rupture and slow seepage differently, so read your policy and call your insurer. Photograph the failed tank, the water damage and the data label before it leaves.
Prices depend on the details above, so call for your real number.
What happens to the old water heater
The failed tank leaves with us. It is drained, disconnected and carried out so you are not left with a rusted shell in the garage. Because it is bulky and heavy, we handle the removal instead of asking you to arrange it.
If you need more than a swap, such as a new location or added capacity, our installation service covers planned work. Homes with failing supply lines around the heater may also want a look at repiping.
Permit paperwork for a changeout
A replacement is governed by the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, which Florida builds on the International Plumbing Code (IPC). In Greenacres, a like-for-like changeout uses the Palm Beach County Universal Permit Application and a Water Heater Changeout Form.
The forms call for manufacturer specifications, and work valued at $5,000 or more needs a Notice of Commencement. Tankless and solar units need a plan check first.
Water heater replacement questions
Yes. Our line is answered around the clock. For a tank that has split or a house with no hot water, we aim for a same-day swap when one is available. Shut off the cold supply and the power or gas control first, then call.
Replacement is a permitted job. The City uses the Palm Beach County Universal Permit Application and a Water Heater Changeout Form, and tankless units need plan check. Ask the City of Greenacres building department about your address.
A Notice of Commencement is needed when the value of the work is $5,000 or more. Smaller changeouts may not need one. Confirm with the building department.
Often yes, but the venting, gas or electric supply and permit steps change. See our tankless water heater page for the tradeoffs.
It depends on household size, bathroom count and peak demand. We size it on the phone and confirm at the unit.
Yes. The old unit is drained, disconnected and removed as part of the job.
It may, depending on your policy and whether the failure was sudden or gradual. Call your insurer and keep photos.