If you need water heater repair, water heater replacement or installation, I can help!
Often when I get asked to repair a water heater, the water heater is past its expected useful life (or approaching it). I’ll give you an honest assessment of whether it is best to repair or replace your existing water heater.
The choice of water heater repair or water heater replacement depends on several factors. It’s not just the age of the water heater, but also how much labor is required for repair and how well the water heater was installed in the first place.
Water heaters have improved a lot in recent years. New water heaters can save you a ton of money on your energy costs depending on how old and inefficient your current water heater is.
You don’t want to pay me to fix a water heater that is on its last legs only to replace it a few years down the road. Often times, the energy savings of installing a new water heater, can pay for itself in energy savings over just a few years.
As much as you may enjoy my smiling face, I think my customers appreciate me more the less they see of me. It’s kind of sad 🙂
I promise to present you with an assessment of your choices from the quickest fix to the option that makes the most sense long-term (and also any possibilities in between).
I feel I owe it to you to give you the benefit of my years of experience in water heater repair, replacement, and installation. You’ll get my best recommendation as to the best course of action for your situation. Sometimes you just need a professional to tell you when a replacement water heater is better than a repair.
New Water Heaters Can Often Save Money
Especially in the San Francisco Bay Area where electricity costs 59.7% more than the national average and natural gas is 70.3% more than the national average, It makes sense to consider the monthly cost of your current water heater vs. a more efficient replacement.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/averageenergyprices_sanfrancisco.htm
Oh, and the other thing you should know is that many times when people call me to come look at their water heaters, it’s far too late. Very often, by the time your water heater gives you problems, it’s toast. Either because it is rusted through or the repair would cost far more than it’s worth.
I am Brian Cooke, I started Marin Plumbing in 1991 and was a plumber for several years before that. When you call Marin Plumbing you will always get me. That’s how I can guarantee top levels of service. There aren’t a lot of plumbers with over 33 years of experience. I offer the highest professional standards in terms of reliability, speed, cleanliness (both personal appearance and equipment), as well as a reputation for clear and thorough communication about your plumbing issues and the range of options for fixing them.
Let’s face it you don’t want a plumber who brings other people’s STUFF into your home.
Water Heater Installation / Replacement
Water Heater installation is a racket. Big box stores sell you a water heater and offer to install it cheaply. For many homeowners, cheap winds up expensive. Why,? It’s so easy to believe that a water heater installation is a simple process. But problems along the way result in additional costs that are not covered by the “standard installation” fee. Often you can incur additional costs (and hassle) down the road to cover shoddy work or fix items that should have been replaced at the time of installation.
With Marin Plumbing you get top-quality full-service water heater replacement. No surprises, no hassles, no do-overs, no dangerous mistakes.
You CAN cut corners and pay any handyman to rip out your old water heater and shove in a new one. You may even get lucky and get it done without additional costs, delays, or permit violations.
Marin Plumbing GUARANTEES a quality, premium installation at a fair price. One and done!
Our full-service water heater installation covers everything:
Diagnosis
First, I will make sure you really NEED a new water heater. It could be something much easier to fix.
Detailed Assessment & Specification
Most people think water heaters are standard. Replace the old water heater with one of the same capacity and that’s it. The truth is that newer water heaters are bigger than older ones.
Whaaat? Doesn’t technology make everything smaller? You’d think so but the energy-saving standards require more insulation. That’s just physics.
So first, I measure your space, not only for height and width but also taking into account where the existing water and gas lines are. Based on this, I locate a water heater that will actually fit without additional (and costly) pipe rerouting.
I also double-check the type of fittings used to ensure that I have all the proper connections on hand when I arrive to install your new water heater without delays.
I also assess any issues I may encounter related to physically removing the old water heater from your home and bringing in a new one. Including door sizes and any precautions needed to protect interior floors and carpets.
Permitting
Most homeowners don’t know that all water-heater replacements require a permit and inspection. This is for your safety because a poorly installed water heater can cause all kinds of issues with gas, fire, venting and flooding. In some cases, it’s possible to perform an emergency installation and get the permit the next day. In either case, I will handle all the permitting and specifications for you.
Purchase, Pickup & Delivery
I’ll locate, purchase pick up and deliver your water heater and all the needed connections and valves.
Comprehensive Installation
In addition to reinstalling your water heater, I’ll replace all water and gas shut-off valves, hot and cold water connections, gas connections, flue, grounding wires (for lightning strikes), earthquake strap. This is the best time to change or add these items.
Meet with Inspectors
Once the work is completed, it must be inspected by a building inspector. I will meet with the inspector to answer any questions they may have. My promise is to install to code to pass inspection.
Provide Clear Instructions
When I’m done, I’ll go through everything you need to know about your new water heater and all safety information. I’ll also give you the signed permit for your files.
Removal and Recycling
I remove your old unit taking extra care not to drip rusty water on your floors & carpet or put dings in your walls or doors. I always take the old water heater to a scrap metal recycler rather than the dump.
Saving Money
You are welcome to participate by completing any of the steps outlined above if you need to save money. Some homeowners prefer to shop for and pick up their own water heater, go to city hall and pull their own permits, meet with the inspectors or haul the old water heater to the dump. I’m very flexible and open to you doing whatever you are comfortable with.
But, most of my clients prefer my comprehensive service. I do everything necessary to ensure a smooth, fast, legal, and safe installation that will last for years. And I guarantee it.
New Water Heater Installation
I can also help you with new installations. Whether it is new construction, remodels, guest cottages or an ADU, I can help from specification to installation.
In the interest of transparency, Marin Plumbing provides premium plumbing services. I am known for being the cleanest, most professional, most communicative, and thorough plumber in Marin county. I will probably not be the cheapest option but by doing the job right the first time and using top quality components, I save my clients many thousands in the long run. I’m also the guy you are most comfortable having in your home or place of business.
So if you have a water heater repair, replacement, or installation, call or text me at 415-883-1243 and I’ll get back to you as soon as I am able.