Fast Water Heater Company services all of Tacoma and the surrounding areas. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower, as long as you call by noon, 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 home-owners 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 Tacoma 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.)
Tacoma 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 Tacoma?”
Currently, Tacoma 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, Tacoma 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 Tacoma installer will be able to answer any specific question you may have.
Approved Location: Most of the time, a water heater must not be situated inside a bathroom, bedroom or closet. This is because, on occasion, CO can accidentally leak from a water heater, and can be dangerous to individuals close by. It is also to minimize the possibility of accidents. Inspectors in Tacoma do tend to enforce the legally acceptable placement of your water heater.
Earthquake Straps: The state of Washington is located in an earthquake zone, so it is essential that straps, designed to stabilize during earthquakes, are attached to both the bottom third and top third of your water heater. Most of the time, Tacoma inspectors enforce this regulation, in order to maintain safety.
Expansion Tanks: Your water heater might run on a closed system, which means that the plumbing stops back-flow from the mains to the house. If this is the case, the sudden changes in pressure can cause damage to, and even malfunctioning of, your water heater. Thus, the Uniform Plumbing Code states that all closed systems should use an expansion tank. At present, this requirement is definitely being enforced in Tacoma.
Venting: In Tacoma, most water heaters rely on gas combustion, which means that they produce CO during operation. As a result, it is imperative that they are fitted with appropriately-sized vents, which are kept away from flammable materials. Correct venting is enforced by Tacoma at the moment.
Drain Lines and Pans: Your heater might be on a platform or positioned inside, where possible leaking could cause problems. If so, you must put a pan, with a drain line running off it, beneath your water heater. Just as with all other requirements listed in this section, this one is demanded by the code and enforced by inspectors in Tacoma.
Valves to Regulate Pressure: If the pressure of the water running in your house exceeds 80 PSI, then you must lower it by putting in a regulating device, as high levels of pressure can cause damage. Our technicians will measure the water pressure at your residence and let you know the results, so that you can decide what to do.
Replacement of Grease Pack Gas Valves: Unfortunately, grease pack valves malfunction often, if we find them at your house, we will suggest that you replace them.
Bonding: According to the electrical code, it is essential that you ground any pipes – both water and gas – with clamps and wire (6 awg).
Traps for Sediment: In order to stop water and debris from going into the water heater’s combustion chamber, it is important to place a sediment trap on the gas line. Tacoma inspectors work hard to enforce this requirement.
Dedicated Water Shutoff: This is important, as it enables you to switch off your water heater without cutting the general supply of water to your house.
Pipe Insulation: Any pipes that are located in any area that is not conditioned must be insulated.
P&T Drain Union: According to the Uniform Plumbing Code, you do not need to put a union on the drain concerning the P and T. However, in Tacoma, this item is enforced. The benefit of this is that it means that the water heater can be taken away easily, if necessary.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments, mobile homes and townhouses all over Tacoma. 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 Tacoma.
We look forward to helping you in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma.
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, you should find the model & serial # of your water heater to find out if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Tacoma 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, rather than repairing it, a more prudent financial choice might be to just replace the unit.
In Tacoma, common repairs and maintenance for residential water heaters include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Tacoma 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.
Customers in Southern Washington may also be eligible for Energy Trust of Oregon rebates. Ask your customer service representative if you qualify for the rebates in your area.
