Water Heater Repair in Westminster, CO

Westminster's only water source is Standley Lake, fed by Clear Creek snowmelt carried in by canal. The city treats it at its Semper and Northwest plants and disinfects with chloramines. Its report lists total hardness of 112 to 149 ppm, about 7 to 9 grains per gallon, which is moderately hard: enough to coat electric elements and settle sediment on the bottom of a tank over the years. Housing is mixed, with a median build year of 1987 and about 33.7% of homes built before 1980, so heaters range from fairly new to well into their second decade.

What to do now

1. Check the breaker or pilot. Those two cover a lot of no-heat calls.
2. Shut down a leak. Turn off power or gas and close the cold water valve on top of the tank.
3. Listen to the tank. Loud popping suggests heavy sediment, worth mentioning on the phone.
4. Smell gas? Leave first. Get outside, then call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999.
5. Note the label. Brand, size, fuel type and manufacture date.

Signs and likely causes

Cost factors

• Scale and sediment. A crusted tank may need a flush before new parts will last.
• The part. Gas valves and burners cost more than elements and thermostats.
• Access. Basement and closet installs take longer than garage heaters.
• Permits on replacement. Westminster requires a building permit to install or replace a water heater, tank or tankless, filed through eTRAKiT with the Building Division on West 92nd Avenue.

If a leak turns out to involve the line coming into the house, remember the split: the city owns the service line from the main to the meter pit, and the customer owns it from the meter into the home. Homes with a well or pond on the property must also keep backflow assemblies installed and tested yearly.