Water Heater Repair & Installation in Burbank & LA
Hot water back. Today.
Cold showers, rusty water, a puddle under the tank — Rooter Pros repairs and replaces water heaters across Los Angeles and the Valley. We'll tell you straight whether yours is worth fixing, and size the replacement right.
Water heater snapshot
Repair, replace, and maintain:
- Repair first — when a part fix beats a new tank
- Full replacement — old tank out, new tank in, hauled away
- Right-sized — matched to your household's actual use
- Flat-rate pricing — agreed upfront, no overtime fees
Water heater services
Everything your hot water system needs — from a $20 part to a full new tank.
Heater repair
Thermostats, heating elements, gas valves, pilot assemblies, T&P valves — the parts that fail long before the tank does. If a repair buys you real years, we'll say so.
Tank replacement
Old tank drained, disconnected, hauled away; new tank set, connected to water, gas and vent, tested and running — most done in a single visit.
Leak diagnosis
Water under the heater isn't always the heater — condensation, a loose fitting, or a nearby pipe can fool you. We find the actual source before recommending anything.
Annual flushing
Sediment bakes onto the tank bottom, kills efficiency, and shortens the heater's life — worse with hard water. A yearly flush is the cheapest life extension there is.
Sizing & selection
Too small and you're rationing showers; too big and you're heating water nobody uses. We size to your household and simultaneous use — not just whatever was there.
No-hot-water calls
Woke up to cold water? We run emergency calls 24/7 — and we'll tell you on the phone whether it sounds like a quick fix or a replacement.
Repair or replace? Honest answers.
The question every homeowner asks. Here's how we actually call it.
Repair wins
Under 8 years old, tank solid, and the failure is a single part — thermostat, element, valve, pilot. A repair buys you years for a fraction of replacement.
Replace it
10+ years old, rust in the hot water, rumbling from sediment, or any leak from the tank itself. A tank leak never gets better — it only gets wetter.
The hard-water factor
Hard water is common across our area — it scales up tanks, kills anode rods faster, and shortens heater life. Annual flushing fights back. Not sure what you've got? Scale hits drains too →
Areas we serve
Water heater service across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley — call to confirm your address.
Water heaters in Burbank & LA: local notes
Earthquakes, hard water and three different building departments shape how water heaters are installed here.
Straps are the law
California requires water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquake movement, and new installs are inspected for it. Loose or missing straps are one of the most common things we fix. See our earthquake plumbing checklist.
Your city, your permit
Water heater replacements normally need a permit. Burbank and Glendale have their own building departments; the City of Los Angeles, including North Hollywood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys, uses LADBS. Ask whether the permit is in any quote you compare.
Sediment shortens tank life
Much of the Valley has hard water, which leaves sediment in the tank: popping noises, slower recovery and earlier failure. Annual flushing helps. See how to flush a water heater and signs a water heater is dying.
Water heater leaking right now? Close the cold water valve on top, turn a gas heater to pilot or an electric heater off at the breaker, and call (818) 669-9019. For leaking connectors and burst lines, see burst pipe repair.
Service-area cities: Burbank · Glendale · North Hollywood · Studio City · Sherman Oaks · Van Nuys · Encino · Santa Clarita · Pasadena · Los Angeles · all areas & ZIP codes
How it works
From cold shower to hot water — usually the same day you call.
You call — a real person answers
Owner-operated and on call 24/7 — same flat rate day or night, no overtime charges. Tell us the symptoms — no hot water, leak, strange noises — and we’ll get you sorted.
We diagnose honestly
We test the heater and tell you straight: worth repairing, or time for a new one. No pressure either way.
Flat-rate price, then hot water
You approve an upfront flat-rate price. Repairs happen on the spot; most replacements finish the same visit.
Water heater FAQ
What homeowners actually ask us, answered straight.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If it's under 8 years old and the problem is a single part — thermostat, element, valve — repair usually wins. If it's 10+ years old, the tank is rusting, or it's leaking from the tank itself, replacement is the honest answer. We'll tell you which one you're looking at.
How long do water heaters last?
A traditional tank water heater typically lasts 8 to 12 years. Hard water, which is common across Los Angeles and the Valley, shortens that — annual flushing helps it last longer.
What size water heater do I need?
It depends on household size and how much hot water you use at once — showers, laundry, dishwasher running together. We'll size it to your actual usage, not just swap in whatever was there before.
How long does a water heater replacement take?
Most straightforward replacements are done in a single visit — a few hours, old tank hauled away. We'll give you a straight timeline with your flat-rate price before we start.
Why is my hot water rusty or smelly?
Rusty hot water (but clear cold) usually means the tank interior or anode rod is corroding. A rotten-egg smell is bacteria reacting with the anode rod in hard water. Both are worth a look before they become a leak.
Do you install tankless water heaters?
Most of our work is traditional tank heaters — repair and replacement. Tankless is a bigger project involving gas line, venting, and electrical changes. Call (818) 669-9019 and we'll talk through whether it makes sense for your home. More on tankless installation.
How much does a water heater replacement cost?
It depends on the tank size, fuel type, and how the old unit is vented and connected — a straightforward swap costs less than one that needs code upgrades. We give you a flat-rate price in writing before any work begins, and estimates are free. See what drives the price on our Honest Pricing page.
Does my water heater need earthquake straps in California?
Yes. California requires water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or moving in an earthquake. New and replacement installs are checked for it at inspection. If your straps are missing or loose, have them fixed.
What should I do if my water heater is leaking?
Close the cold water supply valve on top of the tank, turn a gas heater to pilot or vacation or switch an electric heater off at the breaker, and keep people and pets away from hot water. Then call (818) 669-9019 and we will tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement.
No hot water? Let's fix that.
Owner-operated · 24/7 emergency service · Upfront flat-rate pricing · Repair-first honesty · No overtime charges