Residential plumbing · Denver Metro, Colorado

Water heater repair and replacement in the Denver Metro

If water is leaking from the tank itself, the water heater needs to be replaced. Most other problems, like no hot water, a pilot that won't stay lit or a leaking valve, can often be repaired. We'll tell you which one you're dealing with.

Call (303) 472-4368 Schedule Service

Owned by John Kuykendall, Colorado Master Plumber License #03002471

Two gas tank water heaters installed side by side in a utility room, each with a blue thermal expansion tank, copper water piping and metal vent pipes rising to the ceiling.

We work on standard tank water heaters, gas and electric. That means finding what failed and fixing it when the tank is sound, and replacing the whole heater when it isn't. Most of the job is figuring out which situation you're in, then doing the work so it's safe, up to code and set up for the way your household uses hot water.

What we repair

Pilot and ignition problems: a pilot that won't light or won't stay lit, usually a thermocouple, flame sensor, igniter or gas control valve.
Electric heater failures: burnt-out heating elements and failed thermostats. Many electric tanks have two of each, which is why one can fail and leave you with lukewarm water instead of none.
Relief valve leaks: a dripping or discharging temperature and pressure relief valve. We replace the valve and find out why it opened; high pressure or overheating can be the real problem.
Drain valve and connection leaks: a leaking drain valve near the bottom, or loose or corroded fittings on top.
Venting and draft problems on gas heaters, including disconnected or poorly pitched vent connectors.
Expansion tank failures: a waterlogged thermal expansion tank no longer absorbs pressure, which can make the relief valve drip.
Anode rods: the sacrificial rod that protects the tank lining; replacing it on a healthy tank can extend its life.

The pilot light is a small flame, but you don't want it going out.

When replacement makes more sense

Some situations aren't worth fixing. A tank that has rusted through can't be patched, and pouring parts into an old heater often just buys a few months.

The tank is leaking. Water from a seam or from under the jacket means the steel has failed.
It's old and the repair is big. The U.S. Department of Energy puts typical storage tank life at 10 to 15 years. Water quality, maintenance and how hard the heater works decide where yours lands.
It never kept up. If you've always run out of hot water, the heater may simply be undersized for your household.
Repairs keep coming. A second or third repair in a short stretch usually means more are on the way.

For a closer look at the warning signs, read signs it's time to replace your water heater. If yours is leaking now, see leaking water heater.

Colorado's low-NOx rule for new gas water heaters

Colorado's HB23-1161 changed what can be sold here. Starting January 1, 2026, most new natural-gas water heaters sold in the state, including typical home tanks under 75,000 BTU per hour, must meet a low nitrogen-oxide (NOx) emissions limit. Models certified to the current ENERGY STAR version are treated as compliant. A 2026 follow-up law, SB26-002, gave propane water heaters more time, until 2031.

What it means for you: the replacement has to be a compliant model, and compliant models can differ from your old tank in size, venting or burner design. We check that the new heater fits the space, the gas supply and the venting before you commit. It doesn't affect repairs to the heater you already have.

Choosing the right replacement

A like-for-like swap is often right, but it's worth thinking it through first, because a new heater is a 10-plus-year decision.

Size. Tank heaters are compared by first-hour rating: how much hot water they deliver in an hour starting full. A household that runs two showers and laundry in the morning needs more than a couple in a condo.
Gas or electric. Usually you stay with what the house is set up for. See gas vs. electric water heaters.
Venting type. Standard atmospheric heaters vent up a metal flue by natural draft. Power-vent models use a fan and often PVC pipe, which helps where a chimney isn't practical. Direct-vent models draw combustion air from outside.
Tank or tankless. If you want the floor space back or run out of hot water, read tank vs. tankless in Colorado homes and tank-to-tankless conversion.

The install itself is covered on water heater installation.

Signs you need water heater repair or replacement

No hot water, or it runs out much faster than it used to
Water pooling around the base of the tank
Rusty or discolored hot water
Popping, rumbling or crackling while the burner runs
A pilot that keeps going out
The relief valve drips or has discharged
The heater is past about 10 years old and starting to act up

How a visit goes

You call or book onlineTell us whether it's gas or electric, roughly how old it is (the label helps), and what it's doing. If water is leaking, we'll walk you through shutting off the water and the gas or power.
We look at the whole setupNot just the part that failed. The tank, the gas or electrical supply, the venting, the water connections, the relief valve and the space around the heater.
You get your optionsRepair or replace, and what each involves. If the repair is cheap and the tank is sound, we'll say so. If the tank is leaking, we'll say that too.
The work, then a walkthroughOnce the work is done we test it, check that a gas unit drafts properly, and show you where the shutoffs are.

Colorado notes

What's different here

Altitude. Thinner air means less oxygen for combustion. Gas water heaters along the Front Range need to be set up for elevation according to the manufacturer, with proper venting and combustion air.
Draft and carbon monoxide. A gas water heater that doesn't draft properly can spill exhaust into the house. Colorado law (C.R.S. 38-45) requires a carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping rooms when a fuel-fired appliance is replaced under a permit.
Cold winter water. Water comes into the house colder in winter, so the heater works harder. A tank that barely keeps up in August can fall short in January.
Minerals and sediment. Hardness varies across the metro by water source, but sediment builds up in most tanks over time. That's usually the popping sound. See maintenance and flushing.
Low-NOx rule. New gas water heaters sold in Colorado must meet HB23-1161 emission limits, which affects which replacement models are available.
Permits. Water heater replacement is permitted work in metro cities such as Thornton, Denver and Aurora. Ask about yours when you call.

What affects the cost

Every home is set up differently, so we price the job after we've seen it. These are the things that move the number.

Gas or electricThe parts and connections are different.
Size and typeTank capacity, standard vs. power-vent or high-efficiency models.
Location and accessA roomy basement is easier than a tight closet or an attic.
VentingWhether the existing vent is sized and in good shape, or needs work.
Code updatesExpansion tank, relief valve discharge line, drain pan or gas shutoff, if the old install was missing them.
Repair partsSome parts are common and stocked; some have to be ordered.

More about water heater repair & replacement

Questions we hear

How long does a tank water heater last?

The U.S. Department of Energy puts typical storage tank life at 10 to 15 years. Water quality, maintenance and how hard the heater works all play a part. Age alone isn't a reason to replace a working heater, but an older tank with a new problem deserves a closer look.

Should I repair or replace my water heater?

If the tank itself is leaking, replace it. If a part like a thermocouple, element or valve has failed and the tank is sound, a repair usually makes sense. For an older heater facing a bigger repair, replacement is often the better use of your money.

What's the popping or rumbling noise?

Usually sediment. Minerals settle at the bottom of the tank, and water trapped under them boils and pops as the burner heats. It isn't dangerous on its own, but it makes the heater less efficient and can shorten its life.

Should I flush my water heater?

Flushing sediment out periodically helps a tank last. If a tank is old and has never been flushed, opening the drain valve can sometimes cause it to leak afterward, so ask first. More on water heater maintenance and flushing.

My hot water smells like rotten eggs. What is it?

A sulfur smell only from the hot water usually comes from a reaction between the tank's anode rod and the water. It's fixable. A gas smell near the heater or in the house is different: leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

Does Colorado's new NOx rule affect my existing water heater?

No. HB23-1161 governs new gas water heaters sold in Colorado from January 1, 2026. Your current heater can be repaired as usual. It matters when you replace, because the new model has to be compliant.

Can I switch to a bigger tank or to tankless?

Often, yes. Going bigger or switching to tankless can change the gas supply, venting and space you need, so we look at what your home can support before you decide.

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?

In most metro cities, yes. Thornton, for example, lists water heater replacement as permitted work, and a like-for-like swap is processed without plan review. Requirements vary by city, so ask when you call.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement near you

We're based in Thornton and work across the Denver Metro:

Emergency plumber by city

Water leaking now? Shut off the main, then call.

Something leaking, dripping or cold?

Call and tell us what's going on, or pick a time online. If it's not something we handle, we'll say so.