Hear from Our Customers
You wake up to cold showers. Your water heater is leaking all over the garage floor. Or maybe it’s making that rumbling noise that tells you it’s about to give out completely.
Here’s what matters: you need hot water back, and you don’t want to deal with this again in two years because someone cut corners. When we replace your water heater, you’re getting a system that’s sized correctly for your home, installed to code, and backed by real warranties that actually mean something.
Most installations wrap up in two to three hours. That means you’re back to normal before dinner, not waiting days for someone to fit you into their schedule. And because we’re working in Florida’s climate with Florida’s water conditions, we know which systems hold up and which ones don’t.
Drain Wizard handles plumbing services across Audubon, FL with licensed, insured professionals who actually answer the phone when you call. We’re not a national franchise that routes you through three departments before someone shows up.
When your water heater goes out, you’re dealing with someone local who knows the area, understands how Florida’s water quality affects your system, and won’t disappear after the check clears. We’ve replaced enough hot water heaters in Audubon to know what works in your neighborhood and what doesn’t.
You’ll get straight answers about whether you need a full replacement or if a repair makes sense. No upselling. No pressure. Just honest guidance from people who’ve been doing this work long enough to have a reputation worth protecting.
First, we assess what you actually need. That means looking at your current system, how many people live in your home, and whether you’re constantly running out of hot water or if your current capacity works fine. If you’ve got a family of five and you’re on a 40-gallon tank, we’ll tell you that’s your problem right there.
Next, we walk you through your options: conventional storage tank or tankless. Both have pros and cons depending on your situation, and we’ll explain them in plain terms so you can make the call. We’ll give you a free estimate that includes everything – the unit, labor, permits, hauling away your old system.
Once you’re ready to move forward, we schedule the installation. We shut off your water and gas or electric, drain and disconnect the old unit, and get it out of your space. Then we install the new water heater, make all the connections to code, test everything to make sure it’s heating properly and not leaking, and walk you through how to maintain it. You’ll have hot water the same day, and we clean up before we leave.
Ready to get started?
Every water heater replacement includes removal and disposal of your old unit, full installation of the new system, and all necessary connections for water, gas, or electric. We pull permits when required and make sure everything meets Florida building codes.
You’re getting a system that’s properly sized for your household. In Audubon, most homes do fine with a 50-gallon conventional tank, but if you’ve got a larger family or you’re tired of running out of hot water, we’ll talk through whether a bigger tank or a tankless system makes more sense. Tankless units cost more upfront but they’re more energy efficient and they don’t take up floor space.
We install all major brands. If you’re looking at conventional storage tanks, Bradford White is solid and reliable. For tankless, Navien systems are among the most energy efficient on the market and they hold up well in Florida’s climate. Each new installation comes with a standard six-year warranty on the tank and parts, and extended warranties are available if you want additional coverage. We’ll explain what’s covered and what’s not so there’s no confusion down the road.
If your water heater is leaking from the tank itself, you’re replacing it. Tank leaks don’t get repaired – the tank is compromised and it’s done. Same goes if you’re seeing rust-colored water coming out of your hot taps, which usually means the inside of the tank is corroding.
Age is another factor. Most water heaters last eight to twelve years depending on water quality and maintenance. If yours is pushing ten years and it’s starting to act up, you’re probably better off replacing it than sinking money into repairs on a system that’s near the end of its life anyway.
Now, if it’s something like a faulty thermostat, a blown heating element, or a pressure relief valve issue, and your unit is relatively new, a repair makes sense. We’ll tell you honestly which route is smarter for your situation. There’s no point in us selling you a new water heater if fixing your current one buys you another five years.
Conventional storage tanks are less expensive upfront and they’re straightforward to install. You’ve got a reservoir of hot water ready to go whenever you need it. The downside is they’re constantly keeping that water hot even when you’re not using it, which wastes energy. And when you run through your 50 gallons, you’re waiting for it to heat back up.
Tankless systems heat water on demand, so you’re not paying to keep a tank hot all day. They’re more energy efficient, they last longer (usually 15-20 years), and you don’t run out of hot water. But they cost more to install, and if you’re running multiple showers and appliances at once, you might need a larger unit or even multiple units depending on your household.
For most Audubon homes, a quality conventional tank does the job just fine and keeps your costs reasonable. If you’ve got a bigger family, if energy efficiency is a priority, or if you’re tight on space, tankless is worth considering. We’ll look at your specific situation and give you an honest recommendation either way.
Most replacements take two to three hours from start to finish if we’re swapping out a conventional tank for another conventional tank in the same location. That includes draining and removing your old unit, installing the new one, making all the connections, and testing everything to make sure it’s working properly.
Tankless installations take longer – usually four to six hours – because there’s more involved in the setup. We’re mounting the unit, running new gas lines or upgrading electrical if needed, installing venting, and configuring the system. It’s more complex work, which is part of why tankless costs more upfront.
If there are complications – like your current setup isn’t to code and we need to bring things up to standard, or if we’re relocating the unit to a different spot – it can add time. We’ll let you know before we start if we see anything that’s going to extend the timeline. But for a standard replacement in Audubon, you’re looking at a few hours, not a few days.
Conventional tank replacements typically run between $1,200 and $2,500 depending on the size and brand of the unit. A standard 50-gallon tank is on the lower end. If you need a 75-gallon or if you’re going with a premium brand with a longer warranty, you’re looking at the higher end of that range.
Tankless installations start around $2,500 and can go up to $4,500 or more depending on the unit size, whether we’re running new gas lines, and what your electrical situation looks like. They cost more upfront, but they’re more energy efficient and they last longer, so you’re making up some of that cost over time.
Emergency replacements cost more because you’re calling us after hours or on a weekend when your system just failed. That’s just the reality of emergency service. If your water heater is showing signs of trouble – making noise, leaking, not heating consistently – don’t wait until it completely dies. Scheduling a planned replacement is always cheaper than an emergency call. We’ll give you a free estimate so you know exactly what you’re paying before we start any work.
If you’re hearing popping, rumbling, or banging noises coming from your water heater, that’s sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. It’s making the unit work harder and it’s a sign that the tank is deteriorating from the inside. Left alone, it’ll eventually lead to a leak or complete failure.
Water pooling around the base of your unit means you’ve got a leak. Sometimes it’s just a loose connection or a faulty pressure relief valve, which we can fix. But if the tank itself is leaking, you’re done. Rust-colored or murky water coming from your hot taps is another red flag – that’s corrosion inside the tank, and it’s not something you can reverse.
If your water isn’t getting as hot as it used to, or if you’re running out of hot water faster than normal, your heating elements might be failing or sediment buildup is reducing your tank’s capacity. And if your unit is over ten years old and you’re starting to see any of these issues, it’s time to start planning for a replacement. Waiting until it fails completely usually means you’re dealing with water damage on top of an emergency replacement, which costs you more in the long run.
Yes, if we have the unit you need in stock and we can get to you the same day you call. For standard 40- or 50-gallon conventional tanks, we usually have those available and we can get you scheduled quickly. If you need a specific size or brand, or if you’re going with a tankless system, we might need to order it, which adds a day or two.
Emergency situations get priority. If your water heater is actively leaking and causing damage, or if you’ve got no hot water and you need it fixed now, we’ll do everything we can to get someone out to you fast. That might mean working after hours or on a weekend, and yes, emergency service costs more, but sometimes you don’t have a choice.
The best approach is to call us as soon as you notice something’s wrong. If your water heater is making noise or showing signs of trouble, don’t wait until it completely fails. Scheduling a planned replacement gives us time to get the right unit, schedule the work at a time that’s convenient for you, and keep your costs down. But when you need it done now, we’ll make it happen.
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