The situation
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
On a weekday morning, a homeowner opens the garage and finds a wide puddle spreading from the gas water heater toward stored boxes. The tank base is rusty and water is seeping from under the jacket. There is no gas smell.
- They close the cold water supply valve on top of the heater.
- They turn the gas control on the heater to off.
- They move cardboard boxes and anything electrical away from the water.
- They push water toward the garage door with a broom.
- They photograph the rusted base, the label and the puddle.
With the supply closed, the leak slows to what remains in the tank. The house has cold water and no hot water until the heater is replaced.
What the plumber finds
In this example, the heater's label shows it has been in place for many years. The bottom of the tank has rusted through, which cannot be patched. The heater has only one loose strap, the relief valve discharge line ends partway down the wall, and heavy sediment rattles inside when the tank is rocked during removal, a typical result of Garden Grove's hard water.
The plumber explains that replacement is needed and that the new installation should include proper seismic strapping, which California requires, a correctly run relief valve discharge line and a check of the gas connector and venting.
Replacement choices discussed
New tank heater
- Fits the existing spot and gas line
- Can usually be done sooner
- Needs flushing to manage sediment
Tankless heater
- Frees garage floor space
- May need gas line, venting and electrical changes
- Needs regular descaling in hard water
Items on the written estimate
- Removal and haul-away of the old heater
- New heater, connectors and shutoff valve
- Seismic straps installed to current requirements
- Relief valve discharge line corrected
- Venting checked and corrected if needed
- Permit, if required (they check with the City of Garden Grove)
Questions the homeowner asks
- Is the gas line sized for the replacement I am choosing?
- Will you pull the permit and arrange inspection?
- How often should I flush or descale the new unit?
- What is your CSLB license number?
Common questions
Is this a real case?
No. It is a made-up example to illustrate common steps.
Why was the gas turned off if there was no smell?
A leaking tank should not keep heating. Turning the control to off is a normal precaution.
What if there had been a gas smell?
They should have left the house and called 911 or SoCalGas from outside before doing anything else.
General information for Garden Grove, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.