A Scottsdale water heater that has stopped heating, leaks at a valve or rumbles loudly usually needs a part replaced or a sediment flush rather than a whole new tank. If the tank is leaking from its shell, it has to be replaced, and in Scottsdale that replacement goes through a city permit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Water runs the city's own utility and disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine. The big local factor for water heaters is hardness, and it changes with where you live: the city's hard water fact sheet shows the hardest water south of Indian School Road and the softest north of Chaparral Road. Homes in the southern part of the city tend to see scale build up in tanks and on elements sooner than homes farther north. The city's median home was built around 1990, per census-based figures, so heaters across town range from fairly new to well past their prime.
What to do right now
- If the tank is leaking, close the cold-water valve on the line feeding the heater.
- Turn off the power at the breaker for an electric unit, or set a gas control to off or pilot.
- Attach a hose to the drain valve only if the leak is heavy and you can route it outdoors safely.
- If you smell gas, skip the steps above: get everyone outside, then call 911 and your gas utility from there.
- Photograph the rating label so the plumber knows the model, size and age.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No hot water, electric unit | Tripped reset, failed element or thermostat |
| No hot water, gas unit | Pilot out, worn thermocouple, failed gas control |
| Rumbling or popping | Mineral sediment on the tank bottom |
| Drip from relief valve pipe | Worn valve, high pressure or overheating |
| Water pooling under the tank | Leaking fitting, drain valve or tank shell |
| Hot water runs out quickly | Sediment taking up space, broken dip tube |
Cost factors
Price depends on the part involved, how much scale has to be flushed first, and whether the heater is easy to reach. If the tank needs replacing, Scottsdale requires a Minimum Plumbing Permit for a gas or electric water heater replacement; it involves no plan review and is filed through the city's SPUR portal, but it is part of the job. Corroded fittings, a missing expansion tank or venting that no longer meets code can add to the visit. Heaters tucked into attics or tight closets, which some Scottsdale homes have, take longer to drain and work on than garage units. Ask the plumber to look at the anode rod while the tank is open; in hard water it is often the part that decides how many more years the tank has left.
Water Heater Repair questions in Scottsdale
How hard is the water here, and what does it do to a water heater?
Do I need a permit for water heater work here?
How often should I flush my tank?
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
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