A failed tank is one of the few plumbing problems that is both a flood risk and a no-hot-water problem. If water is spreading from the base of the heater, close the cold water valve on top, turn the gas or breaker off and call the 24/7 line. A licensed plumber can usually be booked for the same day when availability allows.
Replacement is a bigger decision than repair, so the first question on the phone is whether the heater should be replaced at all. Call (805) 249-7135 and we will tell you honestly which side of that line your unit is on.
When a failed water heater is an emergency
Replacement becomes urgent in a few clear situations.
- Water is leaking from the tank body, seam or base rather than from a pipe fitting.
- The heater is rusted through at the bottom, or you see rust-colored water at every hot tap.
- There is no hot water and the unit is past about ten years old.
- A relief valve is discharging constantly, and the tank is bulging or rumbling.
- The burner or elements have been replaced already and the heater fails again.
A heater that is leaking should not be left running. Water on the floor under a gas unit is also a reason to shut the gas off until it is checked.
Repair or replace: a simple decision guide
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 7 years, bad thermostat or element | Repair | The tank is fine and parts are inexpensive |
| 8 to 12 years, one repair already done | Lean replace | The next failure is usually close behind |
| Any age, tank seam or base leaking | Replace | A corroded liner cannot be patched |
| Any age, fitting or valve leaking | Repair | The leak is outside the tank |
| Small tank, family has outgrown it | Replace | A larger tank or tankless fixes the real problem |
If repair is the better move, our water heater repair page covers what that visit includes.
Tank leaking? Shut the water off and call.
The 24/7 line books the next available licensed plumber. Ask about same-day replacement.
Permits, code and earthquake strapping in Lompoc
The City of Lompoc building division says a permit is needed before you work on electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and its page says that includes replacing systems. Clearing stoppages or fixing leaks is exempt only if you are not rearranging anything. We pull permits where they apply, and you can confirm any detail with the building counter.
California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires new and replacement water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquake motion, at a minimum in line with the California Plumbing Code. The 2025 edition of Title 24 carries an effective date of January 1, 2026. Every replacement we do includes proper strapping.
Choosing the new heater
Standard tank heaters remain the lowest upfront cost and fit most Lompoc garages and closets. Tankless units cost more and save floor space, and they need a gas line and venting sized for them. Heat pump hybrids use less electricity but need clearance and air.
Lompoc's water is hard, with average hardness near 293 ppm in the city's 2025 report. A tank in that water lasts longer with a yearly flush, and a tankless unit needs descaling. If tankless appeals, read the tankless water heater page first, and for a planned swap with no rush, see water heater installation.
What a replacement visit includes
Shut off and drain
Gas or power off, water off, the old tank drained safely.
Disconnect and remove
Old heater unhooked, flue and connections inspected, old unit hauled away.
Set and connect
New heater set, new flex lines, valves and a relief valve discharge line installed.
Strap and test
Seismic strapping fitted, gas or power tested, leak and venting checks done.
Most single-tank swaps are finished in one visit. Changing fuel type, moving the heater or adding venting takes longer.
What affects the price of replacement
Insurance usually will not pay for a worn-out heater but may cover resulting water damage. You get a clear price before work starts. Call (805) 249-7135 for yours.
Water Heater Replacement questions, answered
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. Replacements are booked same day when availability allows, and an emergency visit can make the home safe even if the new unit follows.
A like-for-like tank swap is usually finished in one visit. Changing fuel, moving the unit or adding venting takes longer.
Lompoc's building division says replacing systems needs a permit. Confirm the details with the building counter. We handle the permit process on jobs where one is required.
California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires new and replacement water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped. We install straps on every replacement.
Often yes, but tankless units need properly sized gas supply and venting. Your plumber will check both before quoting.
We haul it away as part of the job. Ask on the call if you want to keep any parts.