El Cajon - Fast Water Heater Company

Fast Water Heater Company services El Cajon and surrounding areas. We provide same day installation of tank, tankless and solar water heaters.

We are open seven days a week
Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

If you are thinking about purchasing a new water heater, contact us today:

— El Cajon Local Number: 619-631-5655

— Our website at: www.fastwaterheater.com/contact.asp

If you are considering replacing your water heater, you will need a permit from the city El Cajon. Fast Water Heater Company can get the permit or you can obtain it yourself. No matter which way you get the permit, we can have your new water heater connected the same day.

For information about permitting in El Cajon visit: http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us/dept/comm/build_intro.html

Code Enforcement – El Cajon

With the installation of a new water heater a site survey is also required. While installing your water heater we inform you on whether your heater conforms to the California Plumbing Code.

If we are in charge of acquiring the permit, we will forward it on to you for the arrangement of the inspection.

Over the past few years we have discovered that every city, or inspector, follows the California Plumbing Code according to which requirements they believe are most important. Not all ‘requirements’ of the CA Plumbing Code are ‘enforced’ by the inspectors in your area. However, as a licensed contractor, we are required to inform our customers what the State of California requirements are. We will try to clarify which regulations are ‘required’ in your jurisdiction to enable you to make informed decisions on how the work is performed.


Currently in El Cajon we have found that the following items tend to be strictly enforced. (Please note, that while we try to keep this information current, your installer will always have the most up-to-date information.)

Approved Location - There are certain areas in your home where your water heater cannot be located. This restriction is to prevent accidents and to avoid anyone coming into contact with the small amounts of CO released from the vent of a gas water heater. As a result your water heater cannot be placed in a bathroom, bedroom or closet (unless the closet is used only for the water heater). This regulation is currently enforced.

Pans and Drains– El Cajon requires the placement of a pan under the water heater if the heater is located on a built-in platform or interior location. A drain line must run from the pan to the exterior if there will potentially be any leakage. This is a CA plumbing code although El Cajon will allow the pan to drain to a garage floor.

Earthquake straps – California is an earthquake zone, therefore special precautions must be taken. Regulations require water heaters to have certified earthquake straps approximately 1/3 down from the top and 1/3 up from the bottom. This is currently enforced for your safety.

Sediment traps – A sediment trap, which catches moisture and debris in the gas line and prevents it from entering the combustion chamber of the water heater, is located on the gas line that runs to your water heater. (Currently enforced)

Venting – If you have a gas combustion heater it will generate carbon monoxide (CO). The water heater should be properly vented, and if the vent becomes hot, it needs adequate clearance from combustible/flammable surfaces. (Currently enforced)

Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) – The P&T relief drain must be piped to the exterior. This is a requirement of the California Plumbing Code to prevent anyone walking near the water heater from being scalded while the pressure and temperature relief is discharging. (Currently enforced) 

Pipe insulation – Exposed pipes in an unconditioned space are required by the CA plumbing code to be insulated. (El Cajon enforces this code)

Dedicated water shutoff – In the event your water heater needs to be serviced, a dedicated water shutoff is required for the water heater.  This allows you to turn the water running to the heater off without turning water off to the home. (Currently enforced)

Currently the Following Are Not Enforced by El Cajon

The items listed below are required by the California State code. However El Cajon Inspectors may not enforce them. (We try to keep updated lists, however please ask your technician about the most recent changes and updates. We may perform work that your inspector says was unnecessary due to outdated information.)

Pressure Regulating Valves – If you are replacing your water heater make sure you have the water pressure checked. If it is over 80 PSI, you should have a pressure regulator installed to reduce the water pressure. This will help to prevent damage to your water heater and fixtures. Although the CA Plumbing Code requires the pressure regulator to be installed if your water pressure is high, El Cajon inspectors currently do not test the water pressure, nor enforce the requirement for a pressure regulator. We believe the pressure regulator should be installed if necessary to prevent the damage to the plumbing system.

Grease pack Gas Valve Replacement – The California Plumbing Code requires the replacement of Grease pack Gas Valve, although El Cajon is not enforcing it. While we are inspecting your water heater, we check the dedicated gas valve to the tank as well. As a Grease pack valve is known for failure, we always recommend a replacement.

Expansion Tanks: The requirement of an Expansion Tank by the California Plumbing Code occurs when your home has a “closed system”. This type of plumbing system has a backflow preventer located between the house and water main. Water expands by approximately 2% as it heats, causing pressure to build-up in the system. This pressure drops rapidly when a faucet is turned on, which can cause damage to your plumbing system and fixtures. We recommend the installation of an expansion tank to protect your system. We have removed numerous water tanks in El Cajon that are around six or seven years old, although their functional life would normally be approximately twelve years. Currently, El Cajon is not actively enforcing this requirement.

Bonding – Regulationsby the California Electric Code require all water and gas pipes to be grounded. This is required to prevent degraded wires from energizing the gas and water pipes, as the plumbing is often built close by the electrical wiring. This could quickly become a very dangerous situation. Presently, El Cajon has not been enforcing this code.