If the tank itself is leaking, it's almost always replace. If it's a thermostat, element, anode rod, or gas-control valve and the tank is under 10 years old, repair usually wins. Your plumber will quote both options.

How long does a water-heater swap take?

A like-for-like 40-60 gallon residential swap is typically a 2-4 hour job once the plumber is on-site. Tankless or gas-line reroutes take longer.

City of Edmonton requires a plumbing permit for water-heater replacements. Verified plumbers on OnCall Pros pull the permit as part of the job.

What about tankless conversions?

Yes — flag it in the intake. We'll match you with a plumber who carries tankless parts and has the gas-fitter ticket if you're going from electric to gas.

Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?

A leak from the bottom of the tank almost always means the steel tank has rusted through from the inside — that can't be repaired, only replaced. Edmonton's hard water speeds the corrosion up. Shut off the cold-water inlet, set a gas unit to 'pilot', and submit details to request a match.

Edmonton, AB · Water-heater service

Water heater repair in Edmonton

If your shower's gone cold or you've spotted water under the tank, submit the details to request a verified Edmonton plumber match for gas, electric, tank, or tankless service. Availability varies by area and time.

A licensed Edmonton plumber repairing a fixture in a customer's home

Quick reference

Who to call

Situation	Who
Tank leaking from the bottom	Shut the cold-water inlet, then start a request for a swap.
Gas unit + you smell gas	Leave and call ATCO 1-800-511-3447 or 911 first.
No hot water, no leak	Start a request — often a repairable element or thermostat.

Typical urgency

Scenario	How fast
Active leak from the tank	Urgent — corroded tanks fail fully without warning. Submit details to request a network match.
No hot water at all	Urgent — especially in winter. Submit details to request a network match.
Lukewarm or noisy tank	Soon — sediment/element issues worsen over weeks.

Details to have ready

Detail	Why
Gas or electric, tank or tankless	Decides which plumber and parts we match.
Tank age and capacity	Repair-vs-replace call hinges on age.
Photo of the data plate	Confirms model for a like-for-like swap.

Price preview (estimated)

Repair	Typical range
Water heater repair	$250–$1,500

Estimated Edmonton ranges for the repair itself. Your plumber confirms the final price before starting work; after-hours calls usually carry a minimum on top.

What we cover

No hot water at any tap

Pilot light out, tripped breaker, failed element, or burnt-out gas valve.

Lukewarm water only

Sediment build-up, partial element failure, or thermostat drift on an aging tank.

Leaking from the bottom of the tank

Water pooling under the tank usually means the tank itself has corroded through — that needs a like-for-like swap, not a repair.

Banging or popping noises

Hard-water sediment cooking on the burner — repairable if caught early.

What to do before the plumber arrives

1
Note the age of the tank.
On the manufacturer label near the top. Most Edmonton tanks last 8–12 years; older than that and replacement is usually cheaper than repair.
2
Shut off the cold-water inlet to the tank.
If you see water on the floor — stops the leak from getting worse.
3
For gas tanks, leave the gas valve alone.
Don't try to relight the pilot if you smell gas. Step outside and call ATCO Gas at 911 first.
4
Clear access to the unit.
If the tank's behind storage — boxes, shelving, the deep-freeze — pull it out before the plumber arrives.

How OnCall Pros works

Step 1
Tell us what's wrong
Two-minute intake. No phone tree.
Step 2
Request a verified plumber match
We share your details with the network; availability varies by area and time.
Step 3
Receive acceptance updates by text
A confirmed Pro acceptance is required before a match is made.

Frequently asked questions

Repair or replace?: If the tank itself is leaking, it's almost always replace. If it's a thermostat, element, anode rod, or gas-control valve and the tank is under 10 years old, repair usually wins. Your plumber will quote both options.
How long does a water-heater swap take?: A like-for-like 40-60 gallon residential swap is typically a 2-4 hour job once the plumber is on-site. Tankless or gas-line reroutes take longer.
Do I need a permit?: City of Edmonton requires a plumbing permit for water-heater replacements. Verified plumbers on OnCall Pros pull the permit as part of the job.
What about tankless conversions?: Yes — flag it in the intake. We'll match you with a plumber who carries tankless parts and has the gas-fitter ticket if you're going from electric to gas.
Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?: A leak from the bottom of the tank almost always means the steel tank has rusted through from the inside — that can't be repaired, only replaced. Edmonton's hard water speeds the corrosion up. Shut off the cold-water inlet, set a gas unit to 'pilot', and submit details to request a match.

Edmonton-specific notes

Edmonton's hard water (around 165 mg/L total hardness in EPCOR's distribution) is the single biggest cause of premature water-heater failure here. If you've never flushed your tank, the plumber can do it during the same visit. Replacements in Edmonton also need to comply with Alberta's gas-code venting clearances and the City of Edmonton plumbing-permit requirement for any tank swap — every plumber on the network pulls the permit and books the inspection so you're not left with a non-compliant install at resale time.

Emergency matching is being tested

Public intake is closed while we test the existing emergency workflow with approved users. Joining early access does not request service.

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Edmonton, AB · OnCall Pros direct-pay marketplace · Same-day service