Plumbing
Water heater replacement in Tampa Bay
Ground Up replaces gas and electric tank water heaters across Tampa Bay. We size the new unit to your household, install it to current code, haul the old tank away, and walk you through the manufacturer's warranty. If your tank is leaking or getting old, call or text 727-732-4357 or request a quote.
Updated
- 30+ years in the building industry
- 24/7 emergency line, nights, weekends, holidays
- 2 Florida state licenses: Plumbing CFC1431937, A/C CAC1817931
- Tampa Bay Plumbing and A/C, one call for both trades
01 — What we do
What a replacement includes
A new water heater is only as good as the install. We handle the whole swap, from sizing to haul-away.
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Sizing the right tank
We ask how many people live in the house, how many bathrooms you have, and how you use hot water before recommending a tank size.
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Gas and electric replacements
We replace gas units, including venting and gas connections, and electric units, including the wiring connections at the heater.
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Code updates
We add or correct expansion tanks, drain pans, relief valve discharge lines, and shutoff valves where the install needs them.
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Fuel changes
Switching from electric to gas or gas to electric takes extra work. We tell you exactly what's involved before you decide.
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Haul-away of the old unit
We drain, disconnect, and remove the old tank so it's not left sitting in your garage.
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Warranty walkthrough
We register the new heater and walk you through the manufacturer's warranty so you know what's covered.
02 — Signs
Signs your water heater is done
Any one of these is worth a call; two or more usually means it's time to plan a replacement.
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Rusty or brown hot water from more than one faucet
- Rumbling, popping, or banging when the heater runs
- Hot water runs out much faster than it used to
- The tank is around 10 years old or older
- Rust or corrosion on the tank, fittings, or relief valve
- Repairs keep coming back
Local
Water heaters in Tampa Bay homes
Many tank water heaters last roughly 8–12 years, sometimes less with hard water. Hard water is common across much of Tampa Bay, and the minerals settle in the bottom of the tank as sediment. That layer makes the heater work harder, causes the popping sounds people notice, and can shorten the life of the tank.
A lot of local homes keep the water heater in the garage, a utility closet, or the attic. A tank failing in a closet or attic can damage drywall, flooring, and ceilings below, so a drain pan and a properly routed drain line matter. If you're replacing anyway, it's a good time to fix a setup that was never right.
Hurricane season is one more reason to plan ahead. A heater in a flood-prone garage can be raised on a stand, and a gas unit should be checked by a pro after any flooding. We'd rather replace your heater on your schedule than in the middle of a storm cleanup.
03 — Process
How a replacement goes
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Look and measure
We check the existing unit, the space, the venting or wiring, and the shutoff. Then we give you a clear quote and options.
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Permit when needed
When the job requires a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspection.
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Swap the unit
We drain and remove the old tank, set the new one, connect water and gas or power, and fill the tank before turning the heat on.
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Test and haul away
We check for leaks, test the relief valve, show you the shutoff, and take the old unit with us.
Licensed for this work in Florida: Certified Plumbing Contractor CFC1431937 · Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1817931. Financing available. Ask us.
What size water heater do I need?
Size depends on how many people live in the house, the number of bathrooms, and habits like long showers or a big soaking tub. Many families of three or four do fine with a 50-gallon tank, but that's a starting point, not a rule. We ask a few questions and look at your current unit before recommending a size.
Should I replace my water heater before it fails?
If the tank is 10 or more years old, showing rust, or leaking at the base, planning a replacement usually beats an emergency one. You get to pick the unit and the timing instead of taking whatever's available with a wet garage floor. If it's younger and working, a repair or a flush may be enough.
Can I switch my water heater from electric to gas?
Often, yes, but it's more than a swap. Going to gas needs a gas line and proper venting. Going the other way, to electric, may need a new circuit sized for the heater. We'll look at what's already in the house and tell you plainly what the change involves before you decide.
Is Ground Up licensed to install water heaters in Florida?
Yes. Ground Up holds a Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor license, CFC1431937. When a water heater replacement requires a permit in your city or county, we pull it and handle the inspection. You can look up the license with the state any time.
Quote request
Get a quote: Water heater replacement
Tell us what's going on and how to reach you. A licensed tech (not a call center) gets back to you.
Need help right now? Call 727-732-4357. We answer 24/7.
Want to add photos or pick a time? Use the full contact form.
Talk to a licensed plumber or A/C tech
Call or text and tell us what's going on. Not urgent? Send a quote request or pick a time that works for you.
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