Water heater installation and replacement

When the hot water goes cold or a tank starts to leak, water heater replacement is usually the fix. Bobrick Plumbing installs and replaces both tank and tankless water heaters for homes across Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, and the surrounding Clark County area. We size the new unit to how your household actually uses hot water, install it to Washington code, and pull the permit so the work passes inspection.

Signs your water heater is ready to be replaced

A water heater rarely quits without warning. The common signs:

• Hot water that runs out faster than it used to
• Rusty or discolored hot water, or a metallic smell
• Rumbling or popping from sediment built up in the tank
• Moisture, rust, or a puddle at the base of the tank
• A unit that is more than ten to twelve years old

A leak from the tank body means replacement, since the steel shell has corroded through. Other issues, like a failed heating element or thermostat, can sometimes be repaired, and we will tell you which situation you are in.

Repair or replace a water heater

Not every hot water problem means a new tank. A pilot that will not stay lit, a failed thermocouple, a tripped element, or a thermostat that has drifted can often be repaired on an otherwise sound unit. Once a tank is leaking from the body, carries heavy sediment, or has passed the ten to twelve year mark, replacement is the choice that lasts. We tell you which situation you are in, and when a repair is the sensible move, we make it.

Tank or tankless

Both do the same job in different ways, and the right one depends on your home.

A tank water heater keeps 40 or 50 gallons hot and ready. It is straightforward to install, works with the space and venting most homes already have, and suits the majority of households well.

A tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so hot water keeps coming for as long as you need it and the unit takes up far less wall space. It asks for the right gas supply and venting, so we look at your setup before recommending it.

We walk you through how each one fits your home and how much hot water you use at once, then you choose.

Sizing it to your household

A water heater that is sized right delivers hot water when several fixtures run without a long wait. For a tank, that comes down to capacity and first-hour rating against how many showers, loads of laundry, and dishes overlap in your busiest hour. For a tankless unit, it comes down to flow rate and the temperature rise our winters call for. We size the unit to the way your household actually lives, so the hot water is there when you reach for it.

What a replacement day looks like

A standard replacement is usually a same-day job.

• We drain and disconnect the old unit and remove it
• We set the new heater and connect the water, the gas or electrical, and the venting
• We add or update the parts code calls for, such as an expansion tank, a new temperature and pressure relief valve, a drain pan, and a seismic strap
• We fill the tank, purge the air, light or power it, and confirm it reaches temperature
• We check every connection and haul the old unit away

By the end of the day you have hot water again and a unit that meets current code.

Permits and inspection

Replacing a water heater in Washington calls for a plumbing permit. In the City of Camas that permit is available over the counter through the Building Division, and depending on the address it may run through the City or through Clark County. We handle the permit and the inspection as part of the job, so the finished install is documented and signed off.

Gas, electric, and heat pump units

We replace gas and electric water heaters, and we install heat pump water heaters for homeowners who want a more efficient electric option. Each type has its own venting, clearance, and connection requirements, and a licensed, journey-level plumber handles all of them. If your replacement involves moving the unit or updating old supply lines, our repair and repipe work covers that too.

Caring for the water heater you have

A water heater lasts longer when a little sediment never becomes a lot. Draining a few gallons from the tank once a year clears what settles at the bottom and causes the popping sound, and testing the temperature and pressure relief valve makes sure it can do its job. On a tankless unit, a periodic descaling keeps the heat exchanger clear in our harder water. We can handle this as a quick visit or show you how during an install.

Serving Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver

We install and replace water heaters across Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, and the surrounding Clark County area. Call (360) 901-9133 or send a few details and we will follow up with a quote.