Hot water is one of those things you only think about when it's gone. A tank that runs out halfway through the morning shower, rumbling noises from the basement, or a puddle under the heater all point to a unit that's struggling. Most tank water heaters last somewhere around a decade, and in Markham's hard water, sediment buildup can shorten that if the tank is never flushed.
We repair, replace and install tank and tankless water heaters across Markham. We'll tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or whether the money is better spent on a new unit, and we'll size the replacement for your household and for Ontario winters, when incoming water is coldest and the heater works hardest.
Water Heaters Around Markham
Markham's hard water is tough on water heaters. Sediment settles in the tank, makes the rumbling noise many homeowners hear, and slowly cuts capacity and efficiency. An annual flush extends the life of the tank, and a softener reduces the buildup in the first place.
In winter, the water entering Markham homes is much colder, and an undersized or aging heater that coped in summer suddenly can't keep up. If your hot water got noticeably worse last winter, that's the sign to act before this one.
Signs You Need Water Heaters
Call us about your water heater if you notice:
- Water pooling under the tank. A leak from the tank itself means the inner lining has failed and the unit needs replacing before it lets go completely.
- Rusty or discoloured hot water. Rust in the hot water only usually means the tank is corroding from the inside.
- Rumbling or popping noises. Sediment baked onto the bottom of the tank makes noise and forces the burner to work harder.
- Hot water runs out fast. A failing element, a broken dip tube or heavy sediment can all cut your usable hot water.
- The unit is over ten years old. Past that age, efficiency drops and the risk of a sudden tank failure climbs.
- Fluctuating temperatures. Water that swings between hot and lukewarm points to a failing thermostat, element or, on tankless units, a scaled heat exchanger.
How We Do It
- 1
Diagnose first
We check the thermostat, elements or burner, the anode rod, the relief valve and the tank condition to find the real problem.
- 2
Give you honest options
If a repair is worthwhile, we quote it. If the tank is near end of life, we explain what a replacement costs so you can compare.
- 3
Size the right unit
For replacements, we size the tank or tankless unit to your household's actual hot water use.
- 4
Install to code
New units are connected with proper venting, a gas shut-off and sediment trap where applicable, a relief valve discharge pipe and a drain pan where needed.
- 5
Test and explain
We fire the unit up, check every connection, set the temperature and show you how to maintain it.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
Water heaters are where honest advice matters most, because a new tank is a real expense. We don't push replacements on units with years left, and we don't patch tanks that are about to fail. You get a straight answer, a clear price, and an installation that meets code, including the venting and relief valve details that get skipped in rushed jobs.
- Repair vs. replace honesty
- Tank and tankless options
- Sized for your household
- Code-compliant venting and valves
Water Heaters FAQs
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If the tank itself is leaking or the unit is past about ten years with a major fault, replacement usually makes more sense. Thermostats, elements and relief valves on younger tanks are worth repairing.
Is tankless worth it in Markham?
Tankless units give endless hot water and take less space, but cost more upfront and need annual descaling in our hard water. Households that use a lot of hot water back-to-back benefit most.
Why is my hot water rusty but my cold water clear?
That points to corrosion inside the hot water tank. The anode rod may be spent, or the tank itself may be rusting through.
How often should a water heater be flushed?
Once a year is a good rule in Markham's hard water. Flushing removes sediment that causes noise, inefficiency and early failure.
What temperature should the water heater be set to?
Around 49 to 54 degrees Celsius is the usual recommendation: hot enough to limit bacteria growth, low enough to reduce scald risk.