An Apache Junction water heater that leaks from the tank, gives rusty water or keeps tripping into repairs is usually best replaced. The city generally exempts like-for-like water heater replacements in homes and manufactured homes from a permit, as long as the new unit's rating and venting stay within its rules. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Apache Junction.
Local conditions in Apache Junction
Two water utilities serve the city, and which one you have depends on your address; the city's Water Resources page has a Find My Provider map. Apache Junction Water District blends groundwater with Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project, filtered at the Superstition Area Water Plant, and classifies its delivered water as hard, at more than 10.5 grains per gallon. Arizona Water Company serves other addresses, mainly from wells. Either way, expect minerals to build up in a tank, and plan on draining sediment from the new one each year.
Permits go through Development Services, Building Safety and Inspection, at 300 E Superstition Boulevard, 480-982-8002. Its exempt-work list covers like-for-like electric heaters of equal or lower amperage and gas heaters of equal or lower Btu with minor connection changes and code-compliant venting, in one- and two-family homes and manufactured homes. Replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures needs a permit, and the city's plumbing permit covers water heater changes outside the exemption.
Southwest Gas is the natural gas utility. If you smell gas, leave first and then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020.
Options compared
| Option | When it fits | Permit and practical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like tank | The old heater met your needs | Generally exempt if rating and venting stay within the rules |
| Larger or higher-Btu tank | More hot water needed | Falls outside the exemption; plan on a permit |
| Tankless | Steady demand, small spaces | New gas or electrical supply and piping changes usually mean a permit |
| Manufactured-home unit | Heaters in manufactured homes | Must be a model approved for that use; exemption can still apply |
Warning signs
- Water around the base of the tank
- Rusty hot water
- Popping noises from sediment
- Less hot water than before
Timing notes
A heater that sits idle for months, as in a part-time home, can fail soon after it is fired back up, so check the tank and fittings before relying on it again. Summer garage heat and winter's colder inlet water both stress a tired heater, so replacing ahead of a failure is easier than dealing with a flooded floor. Planning ahead also lets you confirm with the plumber whether your chosen unit stays inside the city's like-for-like exemption or needs a permit, and which water utility's report to read before deciding on a softener.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Apache Junction
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater here?
How do I find out who supplies my water?
How will the local water affect a new tank?
Can the water heater be moved to a different spot?
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