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Service

Water Heater Repair & Installation

Cold showers, rusty water, or a tank that's leaking onto the garage floor? We install, repair, and replace tank and tankless water heaters across Orange County: usually within 24 hours.

What we do

A failing water heater rarely picks a convenient time to die. We keep popular gas and electric tank models (40, 50, 75 gallon) and leading tankless units (Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, Rheem) on the truck so most replacements can be completed same-day or next-day. Every install includes new flex connectors, an updated T&P valve, a code-compliant earthquake strap, and a fresh sediment trap.

Considering tankless instead? That is a different appliance with different sizing, gas and venting requirements, and it has its own page; see tankless water heater installation and repair. If a tank is what you have and what suits the house, everything below applies.

Need a repair instead of a replacement? We diagnose pilot light failures, faulty thermocouples, bad heating elements, stuck T&P valves, sediment buildup, and leaking tanks. If your unit is under 8 years old and the tank itself is sound, repair is usually the right call.

Why homeowners pick us

  • Licensed CA plumbing contractor
  • 24/7 emergency response
  • Upfront flat-rate pricing
  • Workmanship warranty included

Signs you need this service

  • Hot water runs out faster than it used to
  • Water comes out rusty, cloudy, or with a metallic smell
  • Loud popping or rumbling noises from the tank
  • Visible water around the base of the heater
  • Pilot light won't stay lit
  • Unit is 10+ years old (typical tank lifespan in Orange County)

On-site assessment

We measure your gas line, vent path, and household demand to size the right unit.

Same-day quote

Choose between repair and replacement with a clear, flat-rate price and product options at every budget.

Code-compliant install

Earthquake strapping, expansion tank, T&P valve, sediment trap, and proper venting. All to current CA code.

Final test & walkthrough

We pressure-test, fire the unit, set the temperature, and walk you through the warranty and maintenance schedule.

Why choose SoCal Plumbing Co for water heater repair & installation

Hundreds of homeowners and property managers across Orange County trust us with their plumbing. Here's what sets our water heater repair & installation service apart.

Same-day install

Popular 40/50/75-gallon tanks and leading tankless brands in stock for next-day or same-day swaps.

Code-compliant every time

Earthquake strapping, expansion tank, T&P valve, sediment trap and proper venting on every install.

Tankless certified

Factory-trained on Rinnai, Navien, Noritz and Rheem tankless systems with manufacturer-backed warranties.

Rebate-friendly

We document every install for SoCalGas and utility rebates on qualifying high-efficiency tankless units.

Water Heater Repair & Installation cost & what affects pricing

A standard like-for-like 40 or 50-gallon gas tank replacement typically lands in the mid-to-upper four figures, all-in (unit, install, permit, haul-away). 75-gallon and power-vent units run higher.

Tankless conversions are a larger project because they often require a gas-line upsize and new venting: usually the high four figures to low five figures. We size your gas line and venting before quoting so the number you see is the number you pay.

Every quote is flat-rate, written, and approved before any work begins. Call (562) 366-0303 for a same-day estimate.

Water Heater Repair & Installation across Orange County

We're licensed to serve homes and businesses throughout the Orange County metro. Click your area for local intel and ZIP coverage.

Orange County

Our home base. Fast response across Orange County and nearby neighborhoods.

Orange County

Licensed plumbing pros serving homes and businesses across Orange County.

Orange County

Trusted plumber serving Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, and beyond.

Orange County

Reliable plumbing services for Torrance, Carson, Lakewood, Cerritos, and Downey.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most 2-bath homes a 50-gallon gas tank or a mid-range tankless (180–199k BTU) is the sweet spot. We size based on bedroom count, simultaneous-fixture demand, and gas line capacity: not a generic chart.

If your tank is under 8 years old and the tank itself isn't leaking, repair is usually the most cost-effective option. Past 10 years (or with any tank leak) replacement is the safer choice.

For most Orange County homes, yes. Tankless units last 20+ years (vs ~10 for a tank), deliver endless hot water, and qualify for rebates. The upfront cost is higher but pays back over the life of the unit.

A like-for-like tank swap is typically 2–4 hours. A tankless conversion takes 4–8 hours, depending on gas line and venting upgrades.

Yes: we pull and pass the permits your city building department requires, or the County for unincorporated areas, for water heater installations.

24/7 Emergency Plumbing

Burst pipes, slab leaks, sewer backups; on-site fast.

Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting

Camera inspection and high-pressure jetting that lasts.

Sewer Repair & Repipe

Trenchless pipe bursting, CIPP lining, full repipes.

Gas Leak Detection & Repair

Licensed C-36 plumbers, red-tag removal.

Ready to fix it? Call (562) 366-0303

Same-day appointments available across Orange County.

Questions

Water Heater Repair & Installation: questions we get asked

Repair or replace?
If the tank itself is sound and the unit is under about eight years old, repair is usually right: thermocouples, elements, T&P valves and gas controls are all serviceable. Once the tank is leaking, the tank is the failure and no repair holds.
How long does a replacement take?
Most tank replacements are completed the same day or the next, because common gas and electric sizes are carried on the truck. Every install includes new flex connectors, an updated T&P valve, a code-compliant earthquake strap and a fresh sediment trap.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. A water heater replacement in Orange County is permitted work, and California requires seismic strapping. We pull the permit and we close it. An unpermitted swap surfaces later at sale.
Should I switch to tankless instead?
Sometimes. It depends on whether the gas line can be upsized economically and how much hot water the household actually uses. That work has its own page, and we will tell you which one the house calls for before quoting either.

What your neighbours say

Real reviews. Real results.

4.950 Google reviews
  • Most mentioned
  • nice technician9
  • clean work4
  • leak diagnosis2
  • kitchen faucet repair2
  • Mary MartinTwo months ago

    Water heater replacement went way smoother than expected. The crew removed the old unit carefully, installed the new one neatly, and checked every connection before leaving. Hot water came back immediately.

    Water heater replacement

  • Sandra BaileyThree months ago

    Extreme care was taken with the plumbing work that was done during our bathroom makeover. The new vanity and shower arrangement were flawlessly accommodated by positioning all of the pipes. All delays were avoided since the plumber and the contractor worked together seamlessly.

    Bathroom remodel rough-in

  • Donna ReyesFour months ago

    Installing a freestanding bathtub required careful plumbing adjustments. The technician aligned everything perfectly and ensured proper drainage slope. He tested multiple fill and drain cycles. The setup looks beautiful and works flawlessly.

    Freestanding tub install

Read more reviews on Google

Need help now?

We’re just a call away.

Shut the water off at the meter if you can, then call. We will tell you what to do while we are on the way.

24/7 emergency service

(562) 366-0303

C-36 Plumbing · CSLB #1131308 · Bonded $25,000