Residential and Commercial Water Heaters
Need a hot water heater installed or replaced in Cary, or one that has stopped heating or started leaking? Our shop is in Apex, next door. We size the new unit, handle the pan, expansion tank, venting and permit, and give you the real price before we start.
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Installation, Replacement and Repair
Replacement and installation are most of what Cary homeowners call about, then repair. Here are the six situations we see most.
Tank water heaters run about 10 to 15 years with annual service. If yours is past 10, makes rumbling or popping noises, or runs out of hot water faster than it used to, replacing it on your schedule beats replacing it after a leak.
A leak from a fitting or relief valve can be repaired. Water coming from the tank itself means the tank has failed and the unit needs replacing. We find which it is before recommending anything.
On gas units that is often a pilot, thermocouple, or gas control. On electric units it is usually a failed heating element or thermostat. These are repairs, and we tell you plainly when the unit is too far gone to be worth fixing.
Rust-colored hot water usually means the tank is corroding inside. Sediment from moderately hard Triangle water adds to it. A flush may buy time on a younger unit. On an older one it is a sign to plan the replacement.
We can replace like for like or change fuel where the home allows it. Gas needs a vent and a gas line sized for the unit. Electric needs the right breaker and wire. We check both before quoting.
Draining sediment, testing the T&P valve, and checking the anode rod, burner, and venting can extend a tank's life. We do it as a standalone visit, or as part of the maintenance plan.
Clear Answers
We look at the location, fuel, venting, household size, and fixtures, and recommend a Bradford White tank to match. You get the real price before we start, and nothing begins until you approve it.
We drain and remove the old unit, set the new one, and install a drain pan, expansion tank where needed, a new T&P valve with a proper discharge line, and new connections. Gas units get a vent check and a leak test.
The work is permitted and inspected where the Town of Cary requires it. Then we light or power the unit, set the temperature, check for leaks and draft, and show you the shutoffs.
Water Heaters in Cary
Most of Cary was built out between the 1980s and the 2000s. In two-story homes in Preston, Lochmere, Cary Park, and similar neighborhoods, the heater is often in the attic. An attic install needs a drain pan piped to a safe discharge, a clear path for the old tank to come down, and a hard look at the ceiling below for past leaks. In 1990s and 2000s subdivisions you will also find heaters in the garage, where we check the stand, the vent, and clearance from vehicles and storage.
Cary water is moderately hard, so sediment builds in tanks over the years. That is the usual reason a Cary tank loses capacity or starts to rumble. If you want a longer-lived heater, consider a water softener alongside it. If you are weighing a bigger change, our tankless water heater installation in Cary page explains what that conversion takes, and financing is available. Ask about current water heater offers on our offers page.
Our shop is at 3460 Apex Pkwy in Apex, which borders Cary, and we work Monday through Saturday, 7:00 to 18:00. Call or text (919) 679-1275, or book online. More about how we work in Cary.
Commercial Water Heaters
Restaurants, salons, offices, churches, and small multifamily buildings in Cary need hot water that keeps up. We install and repair commercial water heaters as well as home units.
Kitchens, salons, and gyms use hot water in bursts. We size the tank or tanks to that peak demand, check the gas supply, and handle venting and permits.
Several heaters piped together, or a recirculation loop, so hot water reaches the far end of a building without a long wait.
Planned replacements for rental buildings and church facilities, scheduled around your hours, with the work documented.
Helpful Details
A standard tank replacement generally runs $2,000 to $4,000 installed, and tankless $4,000 to $6,000 installed. The exact number for your home comes in writing before any work starts. Location, fuel, venting, and code items decide where you land.
If the unit is under about 10 years old and the problem is a part such as an element, thermostat, or thermocouple, repair usually makes sense. If it is leaking from the tank or is past 10 to 12 years, replacement is usually the better use of money. We tell you which we think it is.
Yes. Replacements are permitted and inspected where the Town of Cary requires it. We handle the permit and schedule the inspection, so you do not have to.
It is common in two-story Cary homes, and it works fine with the right setup. It needs a drain pan with a drain line, a correctly piped T&P valve, and often an expansion tank. A leak in an attic reaches the ceiling quickly, which is why we do not skip the pan.
Often, yes. It usually means a larger gas line, new venting, and sometimes a condensate drain and an electrical outlet. See our Cary tankless page for the details, or call us at (919) 679-1275 and we will look at your setup.
Yes. We repair and service most brands, gas and electric, tank and tankless. We install Bradford White tank units, plus Navien and Rinnai tankless.
Serving Cary and the rest of the Triangle: Apex, Chapel Hill, Durham, Holly Springs, Raleigh and Morrisville. Not sure we cover your address? Call (919) 679-1275 and ask.
“Matt was amazing! I've worked with many plumbing companies, and I will definitely contact Sweetwater Plumbing for all my plumbing needs moving forward.”
Keila Feracho
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“Sweetwater saved the day! I had an active leak from a water pipe in the ceiling. They fixed the leak promptly and did a great cleanup job.”
Sandy Alex
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“Chris arrived on time and made an assessment. A most conscientious and capable young man — the quality of his work was outstanding.”
Bodin Schexnayder
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“Great job. Punctual, professional, took time to explain the work, what my options were, and let me choose.”
Krista Summitt
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“Joseph was a great technician. He investigated the problem and walked me through every step of the way. So kind and patient.”
Connie Knox
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“I needed repair work done on short notice after a house inspection. Excellent work and great folks to work with.”
Jack Frankenfield
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