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Ajax Plumbing Company Ajax PlumbingCompany · Durham Region
Assorted wrenches and pliers on a bench
Assorted wrenches and pliers on a bench

Venting, gas and water, in that order

Gas Water Heater Replacement in Ajax

A gas water heater has three connections that each need care: the venting that carries combustion gases out, the gas line that feeds it, and the water lines.

  • Water seeping from the base of the tank itself.
  • Rust in the hot water only.
  • A tank over a dozen years old that is starting to need parts.
  • Not enough hot water for a household that has grown.
Call a plumber now(365) 363-2754A plumber answers the phone
  • Licensed & insureddetails on request
  • A plumber answersnot a call centre
  • See the problem firstthen choose the fix
  • Ajax · Pickering · WhitbyDurham Region

At a glance

Category
Water Heaters
Who it is for
Homes and basement units

Telltales that call for gas water heater replacement

  • Water seeping from the base of the tank itself.
  • Rust in the hot water only.
  • A tank over a dozen years old that is starting to need parts.
  • Not enough hot water for a household that has grown.

How we do the work

  1. Confirm the venting type. Natural-draft tanks share a metal chimney flue; power-vent tanks blow theirs through PVC or CPVC to the siding.
  2. Shut the gas, drain the old tank through a hose to the floor drain or sump, and disconnect it.
  3. Stand the replacement plumb, adding a catch pan if carpet or drywall is close.
  4. Connect water lines with new dielectric or approved connectors and a fresh shut-off on the cold side if the old one is tired.
  5. Connect the gas through a sediment trap and test every joint with leak solution.
  6. Fit the venting, light the unit, check draft or fan operation, and set the temperature.

Gas work in Ontario is done by a licensed gas technician, and we tell you who will do that part of the job.

On Ajax streets

Many Ajax basements have had their furnace upgraded to a high-efficiency model that vents out the side wall, leaving the old chimney oversized for a water heater alone. That can cause poor draft and condensation in the flue. We check this and, where a natural-draft tank no longer makes sense, talk through a power-vented model or a liner.

Local tip If your current tank is rented, the rental company must be told before it is removed. Our rental manual covers returning it.

Price swings on

Tank size and type, venting changes, and whether the gas or water lines need updating.

Worth asking the plumber

  • Is my chimney still right for a water heater?
  • Should I size up or down?
  • Do I need an expansion tank?

Questions we hear on the phone

Is a permit needed?

Gas appliance work has its own rules in Ontario. Raise it on the phone and you get the current answer for your job.

Call now(365) 363-2754