Fast Water Heater Company services all of Oakland and the surrounding communities. 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.
We’re the water heater experts, and 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 Oakland home.
Try to find your water heater model number and serial number 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.)
Oakland 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 Oakland?”
Currently, Oakland 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, Oakland 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 – To prevent accidents, water heaters cannot be located in a closet (unless it is reserved for only the water heater). As well, water heaters cannot be located in bedrooms or bathrooms. As tiny amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) are released from gas water heater vents, this regulation prevents human contact and accidents. Oakland enforces this requirement.
Earthquake Straps – Certified earthquake straps are required on water heaters for your safety. They should be located at the bottom and top thirds of the heater. The majority of Oakland inspectors enforce this for your safety.
Venting – Gas combustion water heaters must be correctly vented because part of the combustion process is the generation of small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO). The vent size must be satisfactory for the water heater size. If the vent material gets hot, there must be adequate clearance from combustible or flammable surfaces. Oakland actively enforces this.
Pans and Drains – A water heater which is located on a built-in platform OR in an interior location where damage may occur from water leakage is usually required by Oakland to have a pan with a drain line to the exterior positioned under the water heater. The CA Plumbing Code requires this and our experience shows that Oakland will enforce it.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – Your P&T relief drain must be run to the exterior as required by the California Plumbing Code. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent scalding if a person walks close to the water heater during pressure and temperature relief discharge. Oakland currently enforces this. In some cases, if piping to the exterior isn’t possible, Oakland may allow a Watts 210 valve to be used as a substitute.
Dedicated Water Shutoff – If you need to turn off the water line running to the heater for any reason, a dedicated water shutoff on your water heater will allow water to continue being used in the rest of the house. Oakland actively enforces this requirement.
Pipe Insulation – Any pipes that are exposed in unfinished space must be insulated. This requirement is enforced in Oakland.
Bonding – Water and gas pipes must be grounded to avoid the hazard of energized pipes. Bonding the pipes with 6 awg wire and clamps will ground all the pipes and prevent danger from degraded wires in areas where the plumbing has been built adjacent to the electrical wiring. This is currently required by Oakland Inspectors.
Expansion Tanks – Expansion tanks are required if you have a closed plumbing system. This is a system that has a backflow preventer between the house and a water main. In 2008, the California Plumbing Code began requiring the use of expansion tanks if you have a “closed system”. As your water heats, it expands by approximately 2%. This could provoke a pressure build-up in your system with a rapid drop when a faucet is turned on, causing wear on the plumbing and fixtures which could lead to early failure of the water heater.
Manufacturers recommend expansion tanks for closed systems and the CA Plumbing Code requires them. We recommend you install one for protection of your plumbing system if it is a closed system. We have removed a number of failed tanks in Oakland that should have lasted another 5 or 6 years. Oakland is currently enforcing this code.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Oakland. 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 Oakland.
We look forward to helping you in Oakland. 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 Oakland water heater replacement or installation.
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 your water heater model & serial numbers to determine if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Oakland and are familiar with most regional heater applications, brands and models.
It’s important to note, if your existing unit 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 Oakland, common repairs and maintenance for residential water heaters include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Oakland 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 Oakland area:
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Water Heater Rebates
*Tankless water heaters do not qualify
Learn more about PGE Rebates!
Sacramento Municipal Utility Department (SMUD) Water Heater Rebates
Learn more about SMUD Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates
