Water Heater & Tankless Systems
Water Heater Installation & Repair
Installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance of gas and electric water heaters — sized correctly, vented to code, and tested before we leave. Handled personally by Ivan and our team.
Reliable hot water, done right
Most homeowners don't think about their water heater until the morning the shower runs cold, or there's a puddle spreading across the basement floor. When that happens, you want a plumber who shows up when promised, tells you plainly whether the tank can be repaired or should be replaced, and does the work so it passes inspection the first time.
That's how our team at I.D. ProPlumbing approaches every water heater job in Chicago's North and Northwest suburbs. We install, replace, repair, and maintain conventional gas and electric tank water heaters, and we handle tankless water heater installation as its own specialty. Whether it's a straightforward tank swap in a Buffalo Grove basement or two units side by side for a larger home, we size the unit correctly, vent it to code, and test everything before we leave.
What’s Included
Here’s what this service covers.
- Conventional gas and electric tank water heater installation
- Water heater replacement and removal of the old unit
- Repair of leaks, pilot lights, thermocouples, and heating elements
- Gas connection, venting, and shut-off valves checked or updated to code
- Expansion tank and temperature/pressure relief valve inspection
- Routine maintenance and tank flushing
Signs your water heater needs attention
Water heaters rarely fail without warning. If you notice any of the following, it's worth having the unit looked at before a small problem becomes a flooded basement:
- Water around the base of the tank. A slow drip from a fitting can often be repaired. Water coming from the tank itself usually means the tank is at the end of its life.
- Not enough hot water, or it runs out faster than it used to. This can point to sediment buildup, a failing heating element on an electric unit, or a burner problem on a gas unit.
- Rumbling, popping, or banging sounds. Usually sediment at the bottom of the tank — common with our area's hard water.
- Rusty or discolored hot water. Can be a sign of corrosion inside the tank.
- A pilot light that won't stay lit or a gas unit that keeps shutting off.
- Age. Many tank water heaters last roughly 8 to 12 years. If yours is in that range and showing symptoms, replacement is often the better investment.
If you ever smell gas near the water heater, leave the house and call your gas utility first, then call us. That's an emergency, not a scheduling question — see our emergency plumbing page for how same-day visits work.
Repair or replace? An honest answer
We'll tell you what we actually see. A failed thermocouple, a worn heating element, a leaking valve or fitting — those are repairs, and we'll quote them as repairs. A tank that's leaking from the body, badly corroded, or old enough that repairs are throwing good money after bad — that's when we'll recommend replacement and explain why.
If replacement makes sense, we'll talk through the options that fit your home: same size or larger, gas or electric, standard or power-vented, or a switch to tankless. Families that have grown, basements that have been finished, and homes that added a bathroom often need more hot water than the original unit was sized for. Getting that right is the difference between a water heater you forget about and one you complain about.
How a water heater replacement works
- You call or send a request. Tell us the size, fuel type, and age of your current unit if you know it — a photo of the label helps.
- We confirm the details and the price before we start. No surprise add-ons.
- We shut off gas or power and water, drain the old tank, and remove it.
- We set the new unit and connect it properly — water lines, gas line or electrical connection, venting, shut-off valves, and the temperature and pressure relief valve discharge line.
- We fill, fire up, and test. We check for leaks, confirm proper draft on gas units, and make sure you have hot water before we leave.
- We clean up. The old tank goes with us, and the space is left the way we found it.
We pull permits when a job requires one and install everything to code. Scheduled appointments are available on weekday evenings and weekends, and booking ahead saves 10%. If you're without hot water or have an active leak, same-day emergency visits are often available at the emergency rate.
What affects the cost of a new water heater
Every home is a little different, so we give you a clear price after we look at the job — before any work starts. The main things that affect the cost are:
- Tank size and fuel type (gas or electric)
- Venting type — standard atmospheric vent vs. power-vent
- Whether gas lines, water connections, shut-off valves, or venting need updating to meet current code
- Access — a tight closet or finished utility room takes more time than an open basement
- Whether an expansion tank or other code-required parts need to be added
- Permit requirements in your town
Recent Work
Workmanship that speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked
Questions homeowners usually ask.
How long does a water heater replacement take?
A straightforward tank-for-tank replacement is usually completed in a single visit. Jobs that need venting, gas line, or water line updates can take longer — we’ll tell you what to expect when we quote the job.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If the problem is a part — a thermocouple, heating element, valve, or fitting — a repair usually makes sense. If the tank itself is leaking or the unit is near the end of its typical lifespan, replacement is usually the better value. We’ll give you an honest recommendation either way.
Do you install both gas and electric water heaters?
Yes. We install, replace, and repair both gas and electric tank water heaters, and we also install tankless systems.
Do you haul away the old water heater?
Yes. When we replace a unit, we remove the old tank and clean up before we leave.
Do you pull permits for water heater replacement?
Yes. We install everything to code and pull the proper permits when a job requires one.
Can you come out the same day if my water heater is leaking?
Often, yes. Same-day visits for active leaks or no hot water are available at the emergency rate. Scheduled appointments booked in advance get 10% off.
Areas We Serve
Serving Chicago's North & Northwest suburbs.
Ready for hot water you can count on?
Schedule your water heater installation, replacement, or repair with I.D. ProPlumbing — evenings and weekends by appointment.