Water heaters
Replacing a Gas Water Heater in Toronto
Most Toronto houses heat water with a gas tank in the basement. When one fails, it is usually replaced like for like in a day, but the details around the tank are where good and bad installs differ.
or dial (365) 363-3352Answered day and night
- Water pooling under the tank from the shell itself
- Rusty hot water only, while cold runs clear
- Rumbling and popping as sediment boils on the tank floor
- The tank is past its expected service life and showing corrosion at the fittings
A price before we startNothing cut or opened until you say yes.
- Licensed & insureddetails confirmed on the call
- Phones answered 24/7a person, not a queue
- Price before we startcall-out rate on the phone
- Old Toronto & East Yorkhouses, condos, businesses
Is the tank finished? What to look for
- Water pooling under the tank from the shell itself
- Rusty hot water only, while cold runs clear
- Rumbling and popping as sediment boils on the tank floor
- The tank is past its expected service life and showing corrosion at the fittings
- Showers go cold far sooner than they once did
Signs it is time to call
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to
- Popping or rumbling from the tank
- Hot water that runs brown or smells of eggs
- Pilot will not stay lit
- A puddle forming under the tank
What causes it in older Toronto homes
Toronto’s water is moderately hard, so sediment builds up on the tank floor and makes the burner work harder. Anode rods are rarely replaced, so the steel tank starts to corrode. In older basements, the tank is usually wedged next to the furnace and vents into an ageing brick chimney that may need a liner, and fed by a gas line and water piping that have been patched over the years.
What we do on site, in order
- We confirm the size, fuel and venting type, and who owns the tank, you or a rental company.
- Gas and water get closed off, then we empty the old tank and unhook it.
- We set the new tank on a level stand with new flexible connectors, a new shut-off if needed, and a properly piped relief valve discharge.
- We check the venting for proper draft and the gas connections for leaks.
- We fill, purge the air, light the burner and set the temperature.
Rented tank? A rented heater remains the rental firm’s property. Read renting vs owning a water heater before you replace it.
What affects the price
Tank size and type (atmospheric vent versus power vent), whether the vent or chimney needs work, an expansion tank if your plumbing has a check valve, and access in tight basements all change the quote. We price it before we start and include haul-away of the old tank.
When to call right away
A tank leaking from its body will not get better. Turn the gas control to off or pilot, close the cold-water valve on top, and call. Smell gas? Everyone out first; Enbridge Gas or 911 from the sidewalk.
The job, in four moves
- 1Read the plate
Age, size, venting type and fuel taken off the rating label.
- 2Test the controls
Thermocouple or element tested with a meter, gas valve and draft checked.
- 3Drain and swap
Tank drained to the floor drain, connectors and T&P line replaced.
- 4Fire and check
Burner lit, flue draft and leak checks done, temperature set before we leave.
Common questions
Should I switch to tankless?
Sometimes. That hinges on the gas pipe size, where a vent can exit and how you use hot water. See our guide to tank vs tankless in Toronto.
How long does a replacement take?
Like-for-like swaps generally take a morning or an afternoon; vent changes take longer.
Water where it shouldn’t be? Call now.
A plumber answers day and night, and the call-out rate is quoted before anyone drives over.