Water heater repair and replacement in Mercer Island
No hot water is a today problem. Standard 40- and 50-gallon tanks ride on the truck, so a straight replacement in Mercer Island usually happens the same day. When a repair is the smarter money — a thermocouple, an element, a T&P valve — we do the repair and tell you how many years you are buying.
What we handle
- No hot water diagnosis
- Pilot, thermocouple, and gas valve repair
- Electric element and thermostat replacement
- Leaking tank replacement (same day, 40/50 gal)
- Tankless installation (Navien, Rinnai) and descaling
- Heat-pump water heaters with the PSE rebate paperwork
- Expansion tanks and PRVs (required with closed systems)
- Seismic strapping and code updates
- Annual flush and anode inspection
What's different in Mercer Island
Large 1950s–60s housing stock with original copper reaching end of life; pinhole leaks on hot-side lines are the signature Mercer Island call, and most are fixed as partial repipes, not whole-home.
Seattle Public Utilities supply, soft. Permits, when needed, go through the Mercer Island Development Services; we pull them.
Repair or replace
Under eight years old with a single failed part: repair. Over ten with rust at the fittings or water in the pan: replace, because the next failure is the tank itself and it picks the worst day. Eastside well water is moderately hard, so tankless units need a descale every 12–18 months — skip it and the heat exchanger is the thing that fails.
Tank vs. tankless vs. heat pump
Tank: cheapest install, fine for most homes. Tankless: endless hot water and wall space back, needs correct gas sizing and venting. Heat-pump (hybrid): lowest operating cost on electric, currently the biggest PSE rebate, needs a garage or utility room with air volume. We size to your fixture count and your service, not to a quota.
Permits
Every Eastside city requires a plumbing permit for water heater replacement. It is included in the flat quote, and we schedule the inspection.
Questions we get in Mercer Island
Can you replace it today in Mercer Island?
Standard tanks, yes. Tankless usually next day after we confirm gas line and venting.
Which is better for a Mercer Island home?
Depends on gas vs. electric service and where the unit lives. We quote two options side by side and explain the rebate math.