Signs your water heater needs replacing, not repair
A repair makes sense for a failed part on a healthy tank. These signs point the other way:
- Water leaking from the tank body, not from a fitting
- Hot water that comes out rusty or brown after sitting
- A unit that is 10 to 12 years old and has failed more than once
- Heavy sediment noise that returns right after a flush
- A cracked flue or burner chamber on a gas unit
If you are unsure, a short look can tell the two apart. Our water heater repair page lists symptoms that a repair can fix.
What to do while you wait for a replacement
A failed tank can leak, scald or lose gas safety features, so take these steps first.
- Turn off the cold water supply valve on top of the heater.
- Switch off the electric breaker or set a gas heater's control to off.
- If you smell gas, leave the home and call Enbridge Gas at 1-800-767-1689 or 911 before anyone else.
- Keep people away from standing water near outlets.
When a failed water heater is an emergency
A slow drip can wait for a day. These cannot:
- A steady stream or pool of water under the tank
- Water near the electrical panel or on a basement floor with outlets
- No hot water with a newborn, an older relative or anyone medically fragile in the house
- A gas smell near the unit. Leave and call Enbridge Gas at 1-800-767-1689 or 911 first, then call us
Replacement needed tonight?
Call the 24/7 line. We will work out a same-day visit and tell you what the job involves.
What a same-day replacement looks like
Most tank swaps follow the same path, with a few changes depending on fuel and location.
- 1
Confirm size and fuel
We match capacity and fuel to your household and confirm the venting or wiring.
- 2
Drain and disconnect
We shut off supply and fuel, drain the old tank and disconnect the lines.
- 3
Set and connect the new unit
We install it level, with new connectors, a relief valve discharge line and venting or wiring checked.
- 4
Fill, purge and test
We fill the tank, purge air from the lines, restore fuel or power and check temperature and leaks.
- 5
Permit and inspection
We explain the Midvale permit and inspection steps so the work is signed off.
Permit and inspection for water heater replacement in Midvale
Midvale Building and Safety lists water heater replacement among the work that needs a building permit and building inspections. That is not optional paperwork. An inspector checks things like the relief valve discharge, venting and connections that a homeowner cannot judge by looking at hot water.
Permits are submitted online. Inspections are requested online at least 24 hours ahead on Monday through Thursday, and only the contractor on record can schedule them, so settle who that is before work starts. The office is at City Hall, 7505 S Holden Street, second floor, open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Friday to Sunday, so an emergency swap at midnight may be inspected a few days later.
Tank, tankless or hybrid: which fits an emergency swap
In a hurry, the safest choice is usually the one that fits your existing connections.
| Type | Fits an urgent swap | Needs more planning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard gas tank | Usually, if venting is sound | Flue repairs or relocation |
| Standard electric tank | Usually, on the same circuit | Panel or wiring upgrades |
| Hybrid heat pump tank | Possible with space and drain access | Clearance, condensate drain, electrical |
| Tankless | Rarely the same day | Gas line sizing, venting, electrical, flush access |
If you want to move to a tankless unit later, read about tankless water heaters once the hot water is back.
What changes when you replace an older tank
New units come with different dimensions and connections than a heater from the 1990s. A new tank may need fresh water connectors, a dielectric union, a new relief valve and a properly routed discharge pipe.
Older homes often have shutoff valves that have not moved in years and can stick or break when turned. If the valve above your heater will not close, tell us on the phone so we can plan how to isolate the tank.
Midvale water and your new tank
Hard water shortens the life of any heater, and Midvale has two different supplies.
East side, JVWCD water
Jordan Valley Water's 2025 report shows average hardness of 182.4 mg/L, near 10.7 grains per gallon. Plan on flushing the tank, and ask whether a softener makes sense.
West side, city wells
Midvale draws from three wells, and the city publishes no hardness figure. Test your tap or ask Public Utilities for the annual water report.
Thermal expansion
If your system has a backflow device or closed valve at the meter, heating water has nowhere to go. An expansion tank handles that.
Anode rods
Replacing the rod when it is consumed slows tank corrosion, but only if someone checks it.
A water softener installation is one way to reduce scale on elements and tank walls.
What affects the cost of replacing a water heater
We cannot name a total without knowing the unit. These are the pieces that move the price.
Insurance may cover water damage from a sudden tank failure but usually not the heater itself. Keep your receipt and photos in case you file a claim.
Other services that often go with a new heater
If the old tank was leaking for a while, a leak detection check can show whether water got into the wall or floor. When the water supply to the tank is corroded or sticking, ask about water heater installation options with new shutoffs and connectors. We also work across the border, and the Sandy plumbing page lists neighborhoods nearby.
Water heater replacement questions from Midvale homeowners
Yes. The line is answered 24/7, including holidays, and we book same-day appointments when available. Because Midvale Building and Safety is closed Friday through Sunday, we explain how the permit and inspection will be handled.
Yes. Midvale lists water heater replacement among the work that requires a building permit and building inspections. Ask Midvale Building and Safety at 801-567-7200 ext 1016 if you want to confirm.
Only the contractor on record can schedule it, online and at least 24 hours ahead. Ask who that is before work begins.
Possibly, but it is a bigger job. It needs a dedicated circuit, panel capacity and often venting changes, so we plan it rather than doing it in a rush.
Most same-day tank swaps take a few hours. Complications such as failed shutoffs, venting repairs or panel work take longer, and we tell you before starting.
Usually yes, along with the discharge pipe. A valve that has been under pressure for years can seat poorly once it is moved.
Give us the tenant's contact details and a lockbox or entry plan. We schedule the visit around them and send a clear price before work starts.