Santa Rosa - Fast Water Heater Company Provides Unsurpassed Service

Fast Water Heater services Santa Rosa and area. We offer same-day installation of brand-name solar, tank, or tankless water heaters. Our local number in the Santa Rosa area is 707-304-7890.

Please have the model and serial number of your water heater available when you call. We service all major brands of water heaters.

Feel free to call us anytime between:
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday

If your water heater needs servicing or you are looking for a new one, contact us today:

—Or locally at: 707-304-7890

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

Santa Rosa requires a permit when replacing a water heater. We are able get the permit for you and still offer same day installation of your heater. Even if you choose to get the permit, we are able to install your heater the same day.

For information about permits in Santa Rosa visit: http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us

Santa Rosa Code Enforcement

Legally, we are required to do a site survey while changing your water heater. This survey allows us to ensure your water heater is compliant with the California Plumbing Code, or if there are problems. This survey requires a permit. You can get the permit, or we will get it for you and send it to you to arrange an inspector for the installation.
While the California Plumbing Code requires enforcement of code items, the enforcement varies from city–to-city and often from inspector-to-inspector. We are responsible, as licensed contractors, to inform you of the California State requirements. We also attempt to clarify which requirements are actually enforced to help you make informed decisions on the work requiring your approval.
Currently, we believe the following items are enforced. We try to keep current information on hand; however, your inspector always has the most up-to-date information.
Approved Location – Most types of water heaters are not permitted in bedrooms, bathrooms or closets (unless the closet is dedicated only for use of a water heater).
 This prevents accidental burns or other injuries as well as possible contact with small amounts of Carbon Monoxide (CO) that spill from the gas water heater vent. Santa Rosa currently enforces this.

Earthquake Straps – California is an earthquake zone and as such, water heaters must have certified earthquake straps attached to the top third and bottom third of the water heater.  This will be enforced by Santa Rosa for your safety.

Venting – Most water heaters in Santa Rosa are gas combustion and generate carbon monoxide (CO) as part of the combustion process. The water heater must be properly vented.  The size of the vent must be adequate for the size of the water heater. If the ventilation material gets hot, you must have ample clearance from flammable or combustible surfaces. Currently Santa Rosa actively enforces this requirement.

Pans and Drains – Some water heaters are placed on a built-in raised area or in an interior position where there is a potential for leakage, Usually, Santa Rosa requires a pan beneath the water heater with an attached drain to the exterior. This is required by the CA Plumbing Code. Santa Rosa requires the drain to run to the exterior.

Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – Your P&T Relief Drain is required to run to the exterior of your house. This prevents the scalding of someone close to the water heater while the P&T relief is discharging. This is a requirement of the California Plumbing Code. Santa Rosa currently enforces this. In some cases where piping to the exterior is not possible a Watts 210 valve may be substituted. Santa Rosa may allow this.

Dedicated Water Shutoff – Water heaters require a dedicated water shutoff. If your water heater needs servicing, the shutoff allows the water running to the heater to be turned off without disrupting water to the rest of the house. Santa Rosa actively enforces this code item. (46)

Pipe Insulation – Any pipes that are exposed to an unconditioned space must be insulated in Santa Rosa.

Bonding – According to the California Electric Code your water and gas pipes must be grounded to prevent the danger of your pipes being energized. You can ground the pipes using 6 awg wire and clamps. Inspectors in Santa Rosa are presently enforcing this requirement.

Sediment Traps – Sediment traps are located on gas lines running to the hot water heater. They are used to catch moisture and debris in the gas line and stop it from getting into the combustion chamber of the heater. Santa Rosa enforces this requirement.

Items Not Currently Being Enforced by Santa Rosa

The following items are requirements of the California State Code. However, our understanding is that they are not always enforced in Santa Rosa.  We may do work in your home required by the Code that the inspector might tell you was not necessary. Please bear in mind that, even though we keep an updated list, the technician’s information will sometimes be more current. 

Pressure Regulating Valves – High water pressure may damage your water heater, as well as fixtures and appliances. To avoid damage to your plumbing system, the installation of a pressure regulating valve is required. Water pressure should be checked during replacement of your water heater. If the pressure is over 80 PSI, we will let you know so you can assess your options. Santa Rosa does not enforce this requirement.

Grease Pack Gas Valve Replacement – On inspection of your water heater the dedicated gas valve to the tank is also inspected. If the heater has a grease pack valve we will have it replaced. The grease pack valve is known to fail and is not approved by the California Plumbing Code. This is not enforced by Santa Rosa.

Expansion Tanks - A closed plumbing system has a backflow preventer between your home and the water main.  As water heats up, it will expand by approximately 2% which causes pressure build up in your system. There is then a rapid pressure drop when a faucet is turned on. This causes deterioration of your plumbing and fixtures which can lead to premature failure of the water heater.  There was a change to the California Plumbing Code in 2008 making expansion tanks a requirement for “closed system” plumbing.  Manufacturers also began recommending expansion tanks for closed systems. We recommend the installation of an expansion tank on a closed system. This code is currently not enforced by Santa Rosa.