Fast Water Heater Company services all of Mercer Island, WA. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower in your home, 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; 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 Mercer Island home.
Try to find the model number and serial # of your water heater before you call so we can 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.)
Mercer Island 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 Half Moon Bay?”
Currently, Half Moon Bay does require a permit for water heater installations. The good news is we can pull it for you, and it will not slow down any work on our end.
Every few years, Half Moon Bay 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 Half Moon Bay installer will be able to answer any specific question you may have.
Approved Location: It’s illegal and very dangerous to put a gas water heater in a bedroom or bathroom, or even a closet inside these rooms. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of heating your hot water with natural gas. As this is a deadly, noxious gas, we must be sure that the install of your new water heater is in an approved location. The only exception to this code is to install a direct vent style (or power-direct vent) water heater. Mercer Island inspectors are very strict in enforcing this rule.
Earthquake Straps: Washington State is in an earthquake zone. Therefore, Mercer Island recognizes the importance of enforcing the code requirement of having earthquake straps installed. Uniform plumbing code calls for a strap on the upper and lower 1/3 of the tank. Again, this is largely driven by a concern for the safety of Mercer Island residents.
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. This is commonly enforced in Mercer Island.
Pans and Drains: The Code stipulates that water heaters on top of platforms or positioned in interior areas, where leaks can result in damage, should have a pan, with a drain line attached, underneath them.
Pressure Regulating Valves: Excessive water pressure, particularly where the PSI (pounds per square inch) is higher than 80, must be metered through the installation of a valve that regulates it. We will determine whether or not this is necessary by assessing your PSI when we visit.
Greasepack Gas Valve Replacement: Replacing valves of the greasepack variety is extremely important, as greasepack valves can perform poorly and allow gas to leak.
Bonding: If electrical wiring, water and/or gas pipes are in close proximity, this hazard can result in electrocution. Therefore, the Electrical Code emphasizes the importance of bonding and grounding your pipes. We can achieve this through the installation of wire and clamps. This is commonly enforced in Mercer Island.
Sediment Traps: Sediment can enter into the combustion chamber, so the placement of a trap on the gas line is needed. Mercer Island inspectors are highly likely to check that this requirement is met.
Dedicated Water Shutoff: It is sometimes necessary to close off the water flow to the heater, for maintenance and inspection purposes. On such an occasion, you are unlikely to want to face the inconvenience of having the water supply to your home cut off. This can be prevented through the addition of a local water shutoff valve, dedicated solely to your water heater.
Pipe Insulation: Mercer Island inspectors usually check to see if any pipes found in a place that has not yet been conditioned are insulated.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Mercer Island. 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 pro-active 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 Mercer Island.
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 unit’s last days.
We look forward to helping you in Mercer Island. 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 Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island and are familiar with most regional heater applications, brands and models.
It’s important to note, if your water heater 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 unit.
In Mercer Island, common repairs and maintenance our technicians experience with residential water heaters include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Mercer Island 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.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Water Heater Rebates
*Must be installed outside a conditioned living space, such as in a garage, attic or crawlspace
Learn more about PSE Water Heater Rebates. See a list of qualifying heat pump water heaters.
Cascade Natural Gas
*Only available for Washington customers with Cascade Natural Gas on rate schedule 503.
Learn more about Cascade Natural Gas Rebates.
Seattle City Light Water Heater Rebates
Learn more about Seattle City Light Energy Rebates
