In Longview the water heater might be in a garage, a hall closet or the attic. Wherever it sits, when it quits you want to know fast whether it needs a part or a new tank. A licensed local plumber can tell you, and price both.
Signs your heater is failing
Water under or around the tank.
If it is coming from the tank itself, plan on replacing it. A leak at a valve or fitting can often be repaired.
Discolored hot water.
Brown or rusty water from the hot side only can mean the tank is rusting inside.
A rotten egg smell
in the hot water, which can come from a worn anode rod reacting with the water.
Not enough hot water,
from a failed element, a broken dip tube or a thermostat problem.
A gas pilot that keeps going out.
Age.
The date is coded in the serial number on the label. At 10 years or more, start planning.
A gas smell near the heater means get everyone outside first, then phone your gas company or 911.
Longview's water and your tank
Longview's water is on the soft side. The city's 2021 water quality report listed total hardness of 3.80 to 4.50 grains per gallon, and the city describes its supply as soft to moderately hard depending on the source lake. That means less of the heavy scale that wrecks heaters in hard water towns. Tanks here tend to wear out from age, corrosion and failed parts, not mineral buildup.
Draining a few gallons from the valve at the bottom once a year still helps clear sediment. A plumber can also check the anode rod, the part inside the tank that corrodes so the tank does not. Replacing it on time can add years to a heater. In most Longview homes, a water softener is not needed to protect a water heater.
Attic and garage heaters
- An attic heater should sit in a drain pan with a drain line that runs somewhere safe. Check the pan now and then. Water in it is an early warning.
- Make sure the relief valve has its discharge pipe and that nothing blocks it.
- In a garage, a gas heater should be raised off the floor and protected from car bumps. Ask the plumber to check it meets current code when replacing it.
- In a hot attic, check the heater for leaks before summer and after any freeze.
Repair or replace
Repair makes sense for a tank that is not leaking with a part that failed: thermocouple, gas valve, element, thermostat, anode or relief valve. Replace when the tank leaks, when it is old and needs a costly part, or when the household has outgrown it. A good plumber explains which case you are in and prices both when both are reasonable.
Costs
We know of no Longview price survey, so these are national averages from cost guides:
| Water heater job | National average | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Swap out a gas tank heater | Roughly $1,900; many people pay $1,000 to $2,700 | Fixr |
| Put in an electric heater | Roughly $1,000; often $800 to $1,500 | Fixr |
| Fix an existing heater | Roughly $616 | Angi |
An attic install, a gas line update or new venting can add to the cost. See our Longview plumber cost guide.
Permits
In Longview, plumbing permits and inspections are pulled by master plumbers registered with the city. Whether a straight swap of a water heater needs a permit is something to ask the plumber or the city before work starts.
Common questions
How long does a water heater last in Longview?
It depends on the model, use and upkeep. Longview's soft water means less scale, so corrosion and age are the usual end. Check the anode rod and plan ahead once the tank passes 10 years.
Do I need a water softener for my heater in Longview?
Usually not. With hardness around 3.8 to 4.5 grains per gallon, scale is not a big problem here. Ask a plumber before paying for one.
Why does my hot water smell like eggs?
Often it is the anode rod reacting inside the tank. A plumber can swap the rod for a different type and flush the tank.