Fast Water Heater Company services all of Bellevue and the surrounding areas. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower, just call by noon for 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; you can receive outstanding service 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 certified technicians are background-checked, company employees and have years of water heater experience before ever stepping foot into your Bellevue home.
Try to find the model number and serial # of your water heater before you call to help identify the age, warranty and any other pertinent information about your existing water heater. (This info can be found on a large sticker usually on the side of the water storage tank.)
Bellevue requires a permit for the replacement of a hot water heater to ensure a safe and effective installation (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 Bellevue?”
Currently, Bellevue requires 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, Bellevue 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 cringe 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.
Expansion Tanks: An expansion tank is required if a plumbing system is closed, this means that the back-flow, which normally runs between the house in question and the main water supply, is blocked. However, when water is heated, it starts to expand, which causes a rise in water pressure. The increased pressure must dissipate. If there is nowhere for the pressure to go, it places undue stress and strain on your water heater and your home’s plumbing system. Increased pressure will shorten the life of your water heater. However, expansion tanks provide relief from this excess water pressure and protect your home. Bellevue inspectors almost always enforce this code.
Approved Location: One of the dangers of gas water heaters is that they can dispel carbon monoxide. This dangerous byproduct can cause sickness and can even be fatal. It is illegal to put in a gas water heater in a small, frequently used space such as a bedroom or bathroom closet. The only exception to this code is a direct vent style (or power-direct vent) water heater. Bellevue inspectors are very strict in enforcing this rule.
Earthquake Straps: As you probably know, the state of Washington is often at risk of earthquakes because of its geographical location, so you must keep your water heater secured by placing straps on both the top and bottom – covering a third of the heater at each end. The inspectors of Bellevue will be sure to check that you are meeting this requirement.
Venting: Natural gas combustion, which creates carbon monoxide, is one of the most critical components to ensure the installation is done properly. You certainly do not want any carbon monoxide to reach you or your family members, so you must ensure that your water heater has a suitable venting system. These vents should be made of the proper material and keep specific clearances from combustible materials. Again, Bellevue will be checking to make sure that you have followed this rule.
Pressure Regulating Valves: Devices that regulate pressure play an important role in preventing damage to your water heater and your plumbing. This is particularly the case if the pressure in your house is 80 PSI or higher. When we work with you, we take care to measure your PSI carefully and will definitely tell you whether or not you should install a regulator.
Greasepack Gas Valve Replacement: We will also be mindful to find out whether or not you have a greasepack valve on your water heater. These are not very reliable and neither the Uniform Plumbing Code nor Bellevue’s inspectors see them as acceptable.
Pans and Drains: Water damage is always a concern with a leaky water heater, especially when the tank is located inside or in an area where damage can occur. Bellevue thus enforces that you put a pan, linked to a drain line, under your heater when damage can occur.
Bonding: When your plumbing and your electrical wires are side by side, which is the case in many homes, you can run the risk of your wires deteriorating and causing your pipes to become energized. You definitely do not want this to happen, so Bellevue insists that you ground your pipes for both water and gas. You can do this easily with wire sized 6 awg and clamps.
Sediment Traps: It is important to protect your combustion chamber by trapping any debris or wetness that might otherwise enter. Thus, Bellevue will enforce that you include a trap for sediment.
Dedicated Water Shutoff: On occasion, you might want to turn off your water heater without compromising your household’s access to running water. You can achieve this by dedicating one shutoff to your water heater. Bellevue sees this as imperative and inspectors insist on it.
Pipe Insulation: Insulation is absolutely necessary for any pipes that are found in any space that is unconditioned. This helps to make your system more energy efficient.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Bellevue. 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 service provider for Bellevue, Washington.
Generally, when a hot water heater is leaking, it needs to be replaced. Over time, the minerals naturally occurring in your water will create deposits or corrosion that can crack the glass lining of the water heater tank. Note if your tank is self-cleaning or not; water heaters with self-cleaning tanks should last longer and are less-susceptible to glass cracks and leaks.
If your water heater is leaking from one of the connections or valves, it may be repairable. So it’s important to note where your heater is leaking when assessing if a repair or replacement is appropriate for your situation.
There are numerous causes for why your water heater has stopped making hot water. If your heater is electric, or a gas-powered unit with an electric igniter, a power outage will stop our heater from working. Similarly, if it’s electric, double-check the breaker and make sure it hasn’t flipped.
Most water heater service calls are to replace a thermocouple or pilot light assembly. However, once your water heater gets to about eight years old, repairing the unit can end up costing you more than replacing it. A typical water heater will last 8-12 years. If the unit is still under warranty, see if you can get new parts for free from the manufacturer. If it’s out of warranty, we recommend replacing it to avoid paying for costly labor in what could be the units last days.
We look forward to helping you in Bellevue. 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.
Call us now or fill out the form below to receive more information about a Bellevue water heater replacement or installation.
Water heaters are one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, heating and storing hot water for your use. They’re built to last, but if yours starts leaking or stops producing hot water, your water heater may need repairs or service.
Typically, a water heater comes with a warranty anywhere from 5-15 years on parts. For this reason, if you start experiencing issues, you should find the model & serial numbers of your water heater to find out if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Bellevue 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, it might be cheaper in the long run to just replace the water heater.
In Bellevue, common repairs and maintenance our technicians experience with residential water heaters include:
