Residential · Hot water tanks & tankless
Gas Water Heater Replacement in Markham
When a gas water heater is leaking or worn out, replacement is the fix. Done properly, it is a one-day job that leaves you with safe venting and plenty of hot water.
- Thermostat set to a safe, steady temperature
- Sediment flushed from tanks worth keeping
- Tank, power-vent and tankless units serviced
- Old tank drained and hauled away on replacement
- Licensed plumbers (details on request)
- Price agreed before work
- Call-only, no forms
- Tested before we leave
Signs you need gas water heater replacement
Moisture is weeping from the tank shell or its lower seam. The heater is well into its second decade. Rust shows in the hot water or around fittings on top of the tank. Repairs are becoming frequent, with one part replaced after another. The household has grown and the current tank cannot keep up. If any of these apply, a new heater is likely a better use of money than another repair.
Our routine on the day
Before the day, we confirm whether you own the existing tank or rent it, because a rental must be returned to its owner. We then help you choose a replacement: the right capacity for your household, the venting type your home needs, and a model that fits the space.
On installation day, the gas and water are shut off, the retired tank is emptied and unhooked, and the new heater is set in place. We connect the water lines with new shut-off valves where needed, install a new relief valve discharge pipe, connect gas with a sediment trap, and confirm venting meets current requirements. Then we fill the tank, purge the air, light the burner and test for gas leaks and proper draft.
The old tank leaves with us, and the area is cleaned before we go.
Markham houses and what shapes this job
Venting drives most decisions. Natural draft heaters use the chimney, power-vented heaters push exhaust through plastic pipe in a side wall, and some high-efficiency models use sealed combustion. Houses in Markham Village, Unionville and Thornhill often have older chimney arrangements, while newer homes in Berczy Village or Angus Glen more often have side-wall venting.
Space matters too. Utility rooms in many Markham basements were built around the original heater, and a modern tank with thicker insulation may be taller or wider. We measure first to avoid surprises.
Some homeowners consider switching to an on-demand system at replacement time. Our tank vs tankless note compares them honestly, and the tankless installation page explains the extra work involved.
Choosing the size
Larger households with several bathrooms often require a bigger tank or quicker reheating. Our questions cover about your morning routines, soaker tubs and laundry habits rather than simply matching the old tank.
We also check the expansion tank, if one is present, and the condition of the floor drain the relief line empties toward. Small details like these keep a new heater safe for its whole working life.
Ring us without delay if
Call immediately if the tank is leaking or you smell gas. If the tank is old but still working, a planned replacement avoids a rushed choice on a cold morning.
Our tank vs tankless note compares them honestly, and the tankless installation page explains the extra work involved.
From the job notes of Plumbers in Markham
Job card · Hot water tanks & tankless
On the van for this job
- Spare thermocouples, igniters, elements and thermostats
- Hose, pump and dolly for draining and moving tanks
Signs you need this
- Showers going lukewarm halfway through
- Rusty or cloudy hot water
What we check before we pack up
- Check the gas supply, venting and draft
- Confirm flame, elements and recovery
| Type | How it works | Usual fault |
|---|---|---|
| Gas tank, natural draft | Simple, chimney vented | Pilot, thermocouple, sediment |
| Electric tank | No venting, slower recovery | Elements, thermostats |
How the job runs, start to finish
- 1
On the phone
Explain what the water is doing and where. We ask the age of the house and which valve or breaker to shut while we drive over.
- 2
Drop cloths down
Floors and cabinets get covered, the water or gas is isolated and the work area is lit.
- 3
Find the failed part
We open the trap, cleanout, access panel or wall where the fault is, and show you what we found.
- 4
Quote, then work
We explain what failed and what the fix costs; no cutting starts until you say yes.
- 5
Cut, fit, seal
Old parts come out, new pipe, valves or fixtures go in, and joints are soldered, pressed, crimped or glued.
- 6
Test and ticket
We run water, pressure-test or fire the heater, check for drips, clean up and leave a written ticket of what was done.