Water Heater Replacements in Bowie, MD: Real Jobs From Our Crew

Bowie is one of the busiest areas we serve. Many homes here, from the Belair and Kenilworth sections to newer neighborhoods, have water heaters tucked into basements, utility rooms and closets next to the furnace. Here are a few recent replacements from Bowie homes, along with a look at what goes into doing the job right.

Recent water heater installs in Bowie

What a professional replacement involves

1. Look at the existing setup. We check the old heater’s size and fuel type, the venting, the gas line or electrical circuit, the shut-off valves and the water pressure, so the new heater is sized and connected correctly.
2. Pull the permit. Water heater replacements typically need a permit and inspection, and we handle both.
3. Shut down and drain the old heater. We turn off the gas or power and the water supply, drain the tank and disconnect it.
4. Remove the old unit. Getting a heavy tank out of a basement or closet safely is part of the job, and we haul it away.
5. Set and connect the new heater. New water connections and shut-off valve where needed, the gas connection or electrical hookup, and the vent connection for gas models.
6. Add the required safety items. A properly piped temperature and pressure relief valve discharge line and, in homes with a closed plumbing system, an expansion tank.
7. Fill, test and explain. We fill the tank completely before turning the heat on, check every connection for leaks, confirm the burner or elements are working and, on gas models, that the vent is drafting properly. Then we show you the shut-offs and settings.

Things we see often in Bowie homes

• Heaters in tight spaces next to the furnace or in closets, where clearances and venting have to be right.
• Older shut-off valves and connectors that are due for replacement when the heater is changed.
• Expansion control. Homes with a pressure reducing valve or backflow device on the main line need an expansion tank to protect the heater and relief valve.
• Two water providers. Some Bowie neighborhoods get water from the City of Bowie and others from WSSC Water. It doesn’t change the installation, but it’s useful to know who to call about the main line or meter.

Before you replace: helpful guides

Not sure whether you need a new heater? Start with our guides to leaking water heaters and no hot water. If you’re comparing quotes, read what affects the cost of replacing a water heater. And for everything we do in Bowie, see our Bowie plumbing and electrical services page.

Frequently asked questions

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Our licensed plumbers and electricians have served homeowners across Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia for more than 20 years. Every guide is written from real jobs and reviewed by our licensed team. More about us