A Scottsdale water heater that leaks from the tank, runs out of hot water early or turns the water rusty is usually due for replacement. The city requires a Minimum Plumbing Permit, with no plan review, for replacing a gas or electric water heater. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Water draws on Colorado River water from the CAP canal, Salt and Verde river water from SRP, city wells and recycled water, and disinfects with chlorine. Hardness varies a lot by neighborhood. The city's hard water figures put homes south of Indian School Road at about 22 to 25 grains per gallon, the band up to Chaparral Road at about 20 to 22, and areas north of Chaparral Road at about 16 to 18. Heaters in the hardest zones tend to collect scale fastest, and a tank that has been rumbling for a year or two is often close to the end. If yours is leaking, the steps below limit the damage while you line up a replacement.
What to do right now
- If water is leaking, close the cold supply valve on top of the heater.
- Turn the gas control to off, or switch off the breaker for an electric unit.
- Open a hot tap somewhere in the house to relieve pressure.
- Move stored items away and put towels or a pan under the leak.
- Write down the size, fuel type and model from the data plate.
- If you smell gas instead, leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
Symptoms and what usually causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pooling under the tank | Corroded tank body, or a leaking valve or fitting |
| Rumbling or popping | Mineral scale baked onto the tank bottom |
| Hot water runs out quickly | Sediment taking up capacity, or a failed element or dip tube |
| Rusty hot water | Spent anode rod and interior corrosion |
| Relief valve dripping | High pressure or temperature, or a missing expansion tank |
What affects the cost
- Tank size, fuel and efficiency, or a move to tankless or heat pump
- The city's Minimum Plumbing Permit, applied for through the SPUR portal
- Vent, gas connector or electrical updates found during the swap
- Expansion tank, pan and relief line corrections
- Heater location and access, plus disposal of the old unit
- Whether you add or reconnect a water softener, which the same permit category also covers
Scottsdale homes have a median build year around 1990, so older installs may need more of these corrections than a newer house would. Ask for a written quote that names the permit, the model and every correction, which makes it easier to compare two plumbers side by side.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Scottsdale
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater here?
How will the local water affect a new tank?
Should I add a water softener along with the new heater?
Does a heat pump water heater make sense in the desert?
More plumbing services in Scottsdale
Water Heater Replacement nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: