If the tank is already leaking, close its cold water valve and cut the power or gas before you do anything else. The steps below cover what to do until a plumber arrives.
Your water heater failed and water is on the floor
A tank that has split can release 40 to 50 gallons within minutes, then keep trickling from the supply line. Speed matters more than neatness here. Do these in order.
- Close the cold water shutoff valve above the heater by turning the handle clockwise. If it will not turn, shut the main valve where water enters the house.
- Turn the breaker off for an electric unit, or set the gas control to OFF for a gas unit. If you smell gas, go outside and call the gas utility.
- Open one hot tap upstairs so the lines can vent, and leave the tank's drain valve alone while the water inside is still hot.
- Pull rugs, boxes and electronics out of the wet area and start a wet vacuum, because water wicks into drywall and baseboards fast.
- Photograph the label, the leak and any damage, then call us and tell us the fuel type, the tank size and the venting layout.
After a water heater flood: dry out first, then decide
A flooded closet or garage floor needs attention before the new tank goes in. Wet insulation, soaked cardboard and damp drywall hold moisture and grow mold if they stay wet for a few days. Fans and a dehumidifier help, and a wall that stays cold or stained needs a closer look.
Tell your insurer about the flood early. Take dated photos, keep the old tank until the adjuster says it can go, and save the label. Our water heater repair team can also check whether a leak came from a fitting, since a failed fitting changes whether you need a whole new tank.
Tank, tankless or heat pump: how the three compare
Most homeowners replace what they have. A few use the failure as a reason to switch, and that is a fair choice when the house can support it.
| Type | How it heats | Good fit when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tank | Stores and keeps 40 to 80 gallons hot | You want the simplest swap and a known footprint | Standby heat loss, and rust over the years |
| Tankless gas | Heats water only when a tap opens | Space is tight or the family runs long showers | Larger gas line, new venting, yearly flushing |
| Tankless electric | Heating elements on demand | Gas is not available and the panel has room | Very high amperage draw |
| Heat pump hybrid | Moves heat from air into the tank | You have open space and a nearby drain | Taller unit, airflow needs, condensate line |
Sizing a replacement so it does not run out
Tank size is only part of sizing. The first-hour rating on the yellow EnergyGuide label tells you how much hot water the unit can deliver in a busy hour. A 50 gallon gas tank often out-delivers a 50 gallon electric one because it recovers faster.
As a rough guide, one or two people often do well with 30 to 40 gallons, three or four with 50, and a larger family or a soaking tub with 65 to 80. Count how many showers run on a busy morning, and tell us about any large tub or second bathroom. We check the numbers against the old unit's label before we quote.
What a same-day replacement visit usually covers
Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows, and we will tell you plainly if the unit you want has to be ordered. A typical visit has four parts.
Shut down and drain
We isolate the water and fuel, drain what is left in the tank and disconnect the old unit.
Set and connect
The new tank goes on a pan or a level base, with new flex connectors, shutoff valves and a discharge pipe on the relief valve.
Vent, wire or pipe
Gas units get a leak test and a vent check. Electric units get a power check at the circuit.
Fill, test, explain
We purge air from the lines, check for drips, set the thermostat and show you the shutoffs.
Switching from gas to a heat pump water heater
Swapping a gas tank for a heat pump unit is possible, but it is a small remodel. The new unit needs a 240 volt circuit, room for airflow, a condensate drain, and clearance above because it stands taller than a standard tank. The old gas line gets capped and the flue is removed.
Bring up the idea on your first call. A closet with no airflow is a poor spot, and a garage corner may suit it well. We will tell you honestly when staying with a standard tank is the simpler path.
Permits, inspections and the Casselberry Building Division
Permit rules vary, so ask the Casselberry Building Division if you want to know what applies to your job. The division sits in City Hall at 95 Triplet Lake Drive and is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it runs an online permit portal.
A licensed plumber who pulls a permit uploads proof of license and insurance with the application. Before you sign any work order, you can check a contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com using the business name and the individual name.
What a good replacement setup should include
A new tank is only as safe as the parts around it. Ask about each of these before the old unit leaves, and tell us if your current setup is missing any of them.
- A new temperature and pressure relief valve with a discharge pipe that runs downward to a safe spot, never capped or threaded at the end.
- Flexible water connectors and fresh shutoff valves, so the next repair does not mean shutting off the whole house.
- An expansion tank when the home has a closed system, because heated water needs somewhere to go.
- A drain pan under the tank, piped to a visible drain where the layout allows it.
- For gas units, a leak test of the gas connection and a check that the vent draws properly.
- A clear label of the install date on the tank, so you can track its age later.
What shapes the price of a new water heater
We give a clear price before work starts. The number depends on these things.
Type and capacity
A 40 gallon standard tank costs far less than a tankless or heat pump unit, and bigger tanks cost more than small ones.
Fuel conversion
Changing from gas to electric, or the other way, adds gas line work, wiring, venting or a new circuit.
Code and safety items
Expansion tanks, a drain pan, a discharge pipe to the right spot and updated venting are common add-ons.
Access and haul route
Stairs, a tight closet or an attic location take more labor than a ground-level garage.
Permit and inspection steps
Where a permit applies, fees and scheduling are part of the job. Permit rules vary, so ask the Casselberry Building Division.
Homeowners insurance usually covers sudden and accidental damage, such as a tank that bursts and floods a room, but typically not the worn-out heater or gradual leaks. Read your policy before you file.
When a tired heater is worth replacing before it fails
Rust at the base, a pool at the drain valve, rumbling that comes back after a flush and a tank older than about ten years all point toward planned replacement. Planned jobs cost less and stress less than a flood at 2 a.m. If you are still weighing options, our water heater installation page covers sizing and setup for a scheduled swap.
If you live in Fern Park or nearby, the same crew serves you from our Semoran Boulevard office. See our Fern Park service page for travel details. And if on-demand heating tempts you, read about tankless units before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Our 24/7 emergency line runs all night and on weekends. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows, and we do not promise a set arrival time. Shut off the water and the power or gas first, then call.
Water seeping from the tank shell means replacement. A leak at a fitting, a bad element or a pilot problem is usually a repair. Tank age matters too, since most tanks last roughly 8 to 12 years.
Often yes. It needs a 240 volt circuit, airflow, a drain for condensate and enough height. We look at the space and tell you whether it fits.
Match the first-hour rating to your busiest hour, not just the tank gallons. Two people can do fine on a smaller tank, while a family with several bathrooms usually needs 50 gallons or more.
It depends on your priorities. Tankless units give continuous hot water and save floor space but need a larger gas line, venting and yearly flushing. A tank is simpler and cheaper to install.
A like-for-like tank swap is often finished in a few hours on one visit. Fuel changes, venting changes and tankless conversions take longer and may need a second visit.
Keep it in place until your insurer says otherwise if there is a claim. Otherwise ask us at booking whether removal is part of the job, and we will confirm the details on your quote.
Still not sure which answer fits? Describe it to a licensed plumber.
Call (407) 964-8940Standards and sources
A replacement follows the new unit's manufacturer instructions and the Florida Building Code, Plumbing (8th Edition, 2023). Permit rules vary, so ask the City of Casselberry Building Division. The state license lookup is at MyFloridaLicense.com.