24-HOUR ANSWERING SERVICE
NO OVERTIME CHARGES - EVER
LICENSE #401802
SERVING SACRAMENTO SINCE 1981
24/7 Emergency Service Available

Water Heater Repair & Installation

No hot water ruins your whole day. We fix and replace water heaters—tank and tankless—with no overtime charges.

Tank & Tankless
Repair & Replacement
No Overtime Charges
Licensed Since '81 (#401802)

Water Heater Giving You Problems?

Cold showers. Rusty water. That puddle forming underneath. Water heater problems range from 'annoying' to 'emergency'—we handle both.

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Sacramento's water is hard. Like, really hard. That mineral content builds up inside your water heater, coats the heating elements, eats the anode rod, and shortens the tank's life. We replace water heaters here that are 8 years old when they should last 15.What goes wrong:No hot water: Could be a failed heating element (electric), bad thermocouple or gas valve (gas), or a pilot that won't stay lit. Sometimes it's fixable. Sometimes the tank is done.Not enough hot water: Sediment buildup reducing capacity, undersized tank for your household, or a dip tube that's disintegrated. We figure out which one.Leaking tank: Small leak at a fitting might be repairable. Leak from the tank itself means the tank has failed—that's replacement time, and sooner is better than "when it floods the garage."Rusty or smelly water: Anode rod is gone and the tank is corroding from inside. Or bacteria growing in a tank that's not hot enough. Either way, needs attention.Strange noises: Popping, rumbling, banging—usually sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank. Sometimes we can flush it. Sometimes it's too late.We diagnose first, then give you honest options. If a $150 repair buys you another 5 years, we'll tell you. If the tank is about to fail and you're better off replacing it now, we'll tell you that too.

Spot the Warning Signs

Click the signs you're experiencing

No Hot Water
Water Leaking Around Tank
Rusty or Smelly Water
Tank Making Noise

Select the warning signs you're experiencing

Call To Confirm The Warning Signs

Our 4-Step Solution Process

Transparent, effective, guaranteed results

1

Diagnosis

We figure out what's actually wrong before recommending anything.

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Water heater symptoms can point to different problems. No hot water could be an element, a thermostat, or a failed tank. We check before we guess.Gas water heaters: Check pilot, thermocouple, gas valve, burner assembly. Look for signs of combustion problems or venting issues.Electric water heaters: Test elements, thermostats, wiring. Check for power issues.All water heaters: Inspect tank condition, check anode rod if accessible, look for leaks, assess age and remaining life.Then we tell you what we found and what it means. Repair options, replacement options, and honest recommendations on which makes sense.

2

Repair

If repair makes sense, we fix it right. Common parts on the truck.

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A lot of water heater problems are fixable:Gas units: Thermocouples, pilot assemblies, gas valves, burner assemblies. Most of these we carry.Electric units: Heating elements, thermostats, wiring issues. Also usually same-day repairs.Both: T&P relief valves, drain valves, supply connections. The little stuff that fails.We also flush tanks when sediment is the issue. Gets the buildup out, restores efficiency, extends life. Not always possible if it's too far gone, but worth doing when it helps.If the tank itself is failing—rusted through, leaking from the body—repair isn't an option. We'll be straight with you.

3

Replacement

Right-sized unit, proper installation, old one hauled away.

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When it's time for a new water heater, we do it right:Sizing: How many people? How many bathrooms? What's your hot water demand? We size the tank to your actual needs, not just "same as before."Tank vs. tankless: Tankless costs more upfront, saves money long-term, never runs out of hot water. Tank is cheaper to install, simpler to maintain. We'll help you decide which makes sense.Installation: Proper venting (gas), correct electrical (electric), expansion tank if required, seismic strapping (code in California), all connections to spec.We pull permits when required and make sure it passes inspection. Old unit gets hauled away.Pricing is fixed. The quote includes everything—unit, labor, parts, disposal, permit. No surprises.

4

Tankless Options

Endless hot water, longer life, higher efficiency. We install and service tankless units.

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Tankless water heaters aren't for everyone, but they're great for the right situation.Benefits: Never run out of hot water. 20+ year lifespan vs. 10-15 for tanks. Higher efficiency—you're not keeping 50 gallons hot 24/7.Considerations: Higher upfront cost. May need gas line or electrical upgrades. Requires annual maintenance (especially with Sacramento's hard water).We install all major brands and service what we install. If your tankless needs descaling, element replacement, or error code diagnosis, we handle it.Not sure if tankless makes sense? We'll run the numbers with you. Sometimes it's a great investment. Sometimes a quality tank unit is the smarter choice.

Why Choose JR Putman Plumbing, Heating and Air

Same-Day Service

No hot water is an emergency. We treat it like one.

No Overtime

Water heater dies at 10pm? Same rate as 10am.

Honest Assessment

Repair if it makes sense. Replace if it doesn't. No games.

Tank & Tankless

We work on both. Install, repair, and maintain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do water heaters last?
Tank water heaters typically last 8-12 years. Tankless units can last 15-20+ years with proper maintenance. If your tank unit is over 10 years old and showing problems, replacement is usually smarter than repair.
Should I get a tankless water heater?
Depends on your situation. Tankless units cost more upfront but last longer and save energy. They're great for large families who run out of hot water, or small households looking for efficiency. They're not always the best choice—we'll help you decide.
Why is my water heater making noise?
Popping or rumbling usually means sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. Minerals in Sacramento's water settle and harden. It reduces efficiency and can shorten the heater's life. Flushing the tank annually prevents this.
How do I know if my water heater is failing?
Warning signs: rusty water, rumbling noises, leaks around the base, inconsistent temperatures, or water that's not as hot as it used to be. If it's over 10 years old and showing these signs, start planning for replacement.
What size heater do I need for my home?
It depends on square footage, insulation, windows, and layout. We do a proper load calculation—not a guess based on what you had before. Oversized units short-cycle and wear out faster. Undersized units run constantly and never catch up.
Why does my hot water run out so fast?
Possibilities: tank is too small for your household, sediment buildup reducing effective capacity, failing heating element (electric), broken dip tube, or thermostat issues. We'll diagnose the actual cause.

Water Heater Problems?

Call for same-day service. We'll get your hot water back.