Gas Water Heater Replacement

When replacement makes sense

Most gas storage tanks give roughly 10 to 15 years of service, depending on the water and the upkeep. Signs a tank is nearing the end:

• Rust-coloured hot water, or rust at the fittings on top
• Moisture or a slow drip from under the jacket
• Rumbling that a flush no longer quiets
• Repeated repairs on the burner or controls

Once the steel tank itself is weeping, no repair will hold; the heater is done.

Sizing for your household

Tank size matters less than first-hour rating, which is how much hot water the heater can supply in a busy hour. A family of four with a soaker tub and back-to-back showers needs a higher rating than a couple. We ask about your morning routine and big fixtures, then match a tank rather than defaulting to the same size you had.

Venting and combustion air

Older tanks in Aurora often vent up a shared chimney with the furnace. Once that furnace gets replaced by a side-wall-vented condensing model, the old tank can be left alone in an oversized chimney liner, which can cause poor draft and spillage. In those cases a power-vented or direct-vent tank with its own plastic venting may be required. We check draft and clearances on every install, and we never leave a gas appliance without a working carbon monoxide alarm nearby.

Permits and inspection

Gas appliance replacement in Ontario is regulated work done by licensed gas technicians, and some installations also need a municipal or TSSA-related inspection. We tell you up front what applies to your job. The old tank is drained, disconnected and taken away, and we show you the shutoffs and the temperature setting on the new one before we leave.