Water heater checklists
Print these and tape them near the heater. They cover the rating plate, your shutoffs, what to write down before you call, and what a written repair or replacement estimate should list.
- Water heater symptom log
Intermittent problems are the hardest to diagnose. A simple log of what happened, when, and under what conditions gives a plumber a pattern to work from, and gives you a record if the problem keeps coming back.
- Checklist for hiring a water heater plumber
Use this checklist before you agree to any water heater repair or replacement. It covers licensing, what a written estimate should include, and the questions that separate a careful installer from a quick swap.
- Water heater maintenance calendar
A simple yearly schedule that spreads water heater care across the calendar so nothing gets forgotten. Adjust the timing to your owner's manual and your plumber's advice for Orange's hard water.
- Rating plate worksheet
Every water heater carries a label with its key specifications. Copying them onto one sheet, with a photo, answers most of the questions a plumber will ask and helps when you shop for a replacement.
- Water heater estimate comparison worksheet
Two estimates for the same water heater can differ because they cover different work. This worksheet puts them in the same rows so you compare scope as well as totals.
- Water heater emergency card
Print this card and tape it near the heater. It lists the few actions that matter most in a gas, water or overheating emergency, in the order to take them.
- Tankless conversion checklist
Converting from a tank to tankless is a bigger job than a like-for-like replacement. Work through this checklist with a licensed plumber before deciding, so the scope is clear from the start.