Fast Water Heater Company services all of Mill Valley, California. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower, just call by noon and we guarantee same-day service. Our hours are 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
We’re homeowners too and know emergencies don’t conveniently occur just during the week; we’re open seven days a week and don’t charge extra for weekend service calls.
As the water heater experts, we can service, replace or install electric or gas water heaters, standard tank or tankless models and even install hybrid heat pump systems in certain situations. Whether you need a repair, installation, general maintenance, you’re looking for codes or water heater rebates, we’re here to help and we offer free estimates without the hassle of a “trip fee” like most plumbing companies.
All our certified technicians are background-checked and have years of water heater experience before they ever step foot into your Mill Valley home.
Try to find the model number and serial number of your water heater before you call so we can identify the age, warranty and any other pertinent information about your existing unit. (This info can be found on a large sticker usually on the side of the water storage tank.)
Mill Valley requires a permit for the installation of a hot water heater (this will not delay any work, just will schedule a safety inspection at a later date).
You may be wondering, “Do I need a permit to replace my water heater in Mill Valley?”
Currently, Mill Valley does require a permit for a water heater installation. The good news is we can pull the permit for you, and it will not slow down any work on our end.
Every few years, Mill Valley water heater codes change to adopt new installation and safety measures. While intended to increase your overall home safety, these code requirements can result in extra installation charges.
Some customers scoff at the idea of paying for a permit for a water heater replacement, but the fact of the matter is water heaters can be dangerous if not installed correctly. In fact, water heaters cause more property damage than any other home appliance. And if the unit is not installed to code by a licensed professional and causes damage, your home insurance could reject any claims. That’s why we put a premium on safety and doing everything by the book.
Your expert technician will go over an item-by-item checklist of all applicable safety codes needed for your installation prior to any work being completed, or cost to you.
We try to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, but your local installer will be able to answer any specific question you may have.
Approved Location – Many gas water heaters emit small amounts of Carbon Monoxide (CO) from heater vents. To prevent accidents and avoid contact with CO, the CA Plumbing Code regulates the location of the water heaters. The tanks cannot be located in bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets (unless that is the only purpose). This regulation is currently enforced in Mill Valley.
Earthquake Straps – The California Plumbing Code requirement that water heaters have earthquake straps on the top third and bottom third of the tank is enforced in Mill Valley. As California is an earthquake zone, the requirement is enforced for your safety.
Venting – Gas combustion water heaters produce carbon monoxide (CO) requiring approved venting. The size of your water heater will decide the size of the vent. If the vent material heats up you must ensure an adequate amount of clearance from flammable or combustible areas. This requirement is enforced by Mill Valley.
Pans and Drains – If water heaters are situated in an interior location or on a built-in platform, they could leak and be responsible for water damage. To prevent this, the CA Plumbing Code requires a pan to be placed under the water heater with an attached drain-line running to the exterior. Mill Valley requires the drain to run to the exterior.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – The CA Plumbing code requirement concerning P&T Relief drains is that they must be run to the outside. This is enforced to prevent accidental scalding during the discharging of the P&T drain. Mill Valley currently enforces this requirement.
Dedicated water shutoff – During times when your water heater needs servicing a dedicated water shutoff allows the water to your water heater to be turned off while the rest of the house continues to have running water. This code item is actively enforced in Mill Valley.
Pipe Insulation – Un-insulated pipes are required to be insulated if they are exposed in unconditioned space. This is a requirement of the CA Plumbing Code and is enforced in Mill Valley.
Bonding – The CA Electric Code requires that water and gas pipes be grounded. Bonding the pipes with 6 awg wire and clamps will successfully ground the pipes. Plumbing and electrical wiring are often located near each other and it is possible for your pipes to be energized if your wires begin deteriorating, putting you in a dangerous situation. This requirement is being enforced in Mill Valley.
Sediment Traps – Sediment traps located on gas lines running to your water heater catch debris and moisture in the line and prevent it from getting into the combustion chamber of the water heater. This is currently not enforced by Mill Valley.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Mill Valley. All our skilled-technicians are background-checked, thoroughly experienced and trained to efficiently and safely install your new water heater.
Whether you’re replacing a broken, old unit, being proactive and installing a new model, or switching to a tankless water heater, our skilled technicians can answer any of your questions and, generally, get your hot water heater installed the same day you call us.
Most importantly, our technicians are local to the area, which means they are up-to-date on all local plumbing codes, safety regulations and regional installation trends.
We install Rheem water heaters, and are an official Rheem service provider for Mill Valley, CA.
We look forward to helping you. Please keep in mind, while we can quote you a starting price over the phone, we are not able to give a final price until a technician is at your home and can see your unique setup. If you’re happy with the final price, your technician will get to work immediately. But due to this uncertainty, our appointments are no cost and no obligation.
Give us a call or fill out the form below to receive more information about a water heater replacement or installation in Mill Valley.
Even in Mill Valley, water heaters are constantly operating, heating and storing hot water for your use. They’re built to last, but if yours starts leaking or you’re out of hot water, you may need to have your water heater repaired.
Typically, a water heater comes with a warranty anywhere from 5-15 years on parts. For this reason, if you start experiencing issues, try to find the model & serial number of your water heater so we can determine if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Mill Valley and are familiar with most regional heater applications, brands and models.
It’s important to note, if your current model is more than 10 years old, it’s probably nearing its last legs. Considering the cost of labor, rather than repairing it, a more prudent financial choice might be to just replace the water heater.
In Mill Valley, common repairs and maintenance for residential water heaters include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Mill Valley to offer savings on more energy efficient water heating solutions, in the form of rebates.
These rebates are great because the water heaters utilize energy more efficiently, and save you money as a result.
Check below for water heater specials and rebates in the greater Mill Valley area:
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Water Heater Rebates
*Tankless water heaters do not qualify
Learn more about PGE Rebates!
