The tank failed and water is on the floor
A burst tank can drop 40 to 50 gallons across a closet or garage floor, so move quickly. Our dispatch line runs 24/7. Close the cold water valve above the heater, switch off its breaker or set the gas control to off, and stay out of any room where water has reached an outlet.
Lift anything that can soak up water, such as boxes, stored paint and cardboard. If the water is reaching an air handler or a washer cord, shut off the main breaker only if you can reach the panel while standing on dry floor.
Why a leaking tank cannot be patched
A storage heater is a steel tank with a glass-like lining inside. Once the lining cracks and the anode rod is used up, the steel rusts from the inside out. There is no weld, sealant or clamp that holds against city water pressure for long.
Not every leak means the tank is dead. A dripping fitting or a worn relief valve is a smaller job, and water heater repair covers it. We check that first, because replacing a unit with a fixable fitting leak wastes your money.
Before we arrive
A few minutes of prep makes the swap faster and safer.
- Cold inlet valve: turn it clockwise until it stops. If the handle is stuck, shut the main water valve at the house instead.
- Power or gas: breaker off for electric, gas control to off for gas. Do not touch a gas shutoff if you smell gas, just leave and call 911.
- Clear a path: move items so there is three feet of open floor around the heater and a clear route from the door.
- Photo and data plate: take a picture of the label showing fuel, gallons and model. It speeds up sizing and the permit paperwork.
- Building access: in a condo or apartment, tell management and the unit below before the water goes off.
- Tell us the location: closet, garage, attic or utility room, since an attic unit needs a drain pan and a different carry plan.
The choices you make on the first call
A swap does not have to match the old unit. Fuel, venting and space decide what fits, and some choices cost more because walls, gas pipe or wiring have to change.
The table sorts the four main options for a typical Dania Beach house or condo.
| Option | Fits best when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Gas storage tank | Peoples Gas is on your street and the old unit was gas | Needs venting and a gas shutoff. Natural gas is available street by street, not everywhere in Dania Beach |
| Electric storage tank | No gas line, or a condo that bans gas appliances | Simple install. Needs the right breaker and wire size |
| Heat pump (hybrid) tank | A garage or utility room with open air around it | Higher price. Needs space, a condensate drain and a cool spot for its exhaust air |
| Tankless | Space is tight and the house has strong gas supply | Highest install cost. Gas line and venting often change |
Heat pump water heater as a replacement option
A heat pump water heater pulls heat out of the air around it and moves it into the tank, instead of making heat with an element. It still holds a tank, so it replaces a standard electric unit in a similar footprint.
It works best in a garage or a large utility room that stays warm, which describes many Broward homes. A closet with no air movement is a poor fit, and the unit also needs a drain for the water it pulls from the air.
We cannot promise your utility bill. The Broward permit form asks for proof of the unit's efficiency, which you can find on the manufacturer sheet, so compare that figure with the electric tank before you buy.
How the swap runs
The order matters because it protects the new tank and the floor.
- Drain the old tank through a hose to a safe drain, then disconnect the water, power or gas, and vent.
- Remove the unit and set the new one on a drain pan with a pan drain line where the space is living area.
- Fit new flexible connectors and dielectric nipples or unions where copper meets a steel fitting, so the metals do not corrode each other.
- Pipe the T and P relief valve discharge down to a safe termination point, and check whether the plumbing needs a thermal expansion tank.
- Fill the tank with a hot tap open to purge air, then restore power or gas. Never power an electric element in a dry tank.
- Test for leaks and gas odor, check venting, and write down the data for the permit.
Permit paperwork on a replacement
Water heater replacement needs a permit in Broward County jurisdictions. Broward's Policy 22-02 requires a data form with the old and new unit details, such as type, gallons, wire size and breaker size or gas input and flue size, along with the installation instructions and proof of efficiency.
Ask the Dania Beach Building Division how it wants the permit handled for your address. You can also check any plumber's license at the state license lookup, myfloridalicense.com, before work starts. Under Florida law, an unlicensed contractor generally cannot enforce a contract, and unpermitted work can fail inspection later.
Replacing a heater with hurricane season in mind
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Dania Beach declared a state of emergency on April 13, 2023, after flooding and a tornado, and a heater sitting on a closet floor is at risk in any heavy rain event.
Federal lab guidance suggests strapping the heater to wall studs and, in flood-prone areas, raising it at least one foot above base flood elevation. That is guidance, not a Florida code rule. If your heater stood in floodwater, ask us to check the gas valve and controls before any restart, since many manufacturers advise replacing flooded controls.
What water heater replacement costs in Florida
National published guides put a tank water heater, installed, at about $600 to $2,500, with Angi reporting a typical $882 to $1,826. Tankless installs run about $1,000 to $3,900. Florida prices vary by fuel, size and access.
The unit is only part of the bill. The permit, new connectors, the discharge pipe and the old tank's disposal all add up.
What moves the price
- Tank size and brand. A 40-gallon unit and an 80-gallon unit sit in different price tiers, and so do builder-grade and longer-warranty models.
- Fuel switch. Moving from gas to electric, or the reverse, can need a new breaker, a gas line or a vent.
- Code items. A drain pan, a discharge pipe, an expansion tank and the permit are part of doing the job correctly.
- Location. An attic or a second-floor closet adds labor to carry out the old tank.
- Heat pump or tankless. Both cost more up front than a standard tank, and neither fits every space.
| Work | Published range |
|---|---|
| Tank water heater, installed (national) | $600 to $2,500 |
| Tankless water heater, installed (national) | $1,000 to $3,900 |
| Tank water heater repair instead (national) | $100 to $500 |
A tank that bursts suddenly is often treated differently from one that leaked slowly for weeks. Many homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage but not the heater itself, and wear and lack of maintenance can limit a claim. Read your policy, call your insurer before you throw anything away, and photograph the tank and the damage.
Sizing and fuel decide the number, so we do not guess by phone. Call (954) 697-4920 and tell us the fuel, tank size and location for a real number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle water heater replacement emergencies at night or on weekends in Dania?
Yes. Our dispatch line is open 24/7 and a failed tank on a Saturday night is a normal call for us. We do not promise a fixed arrival time, but we will tell you what to shut off and give a plain description of the swap before it starts.
Does replacing a water heater need a permit in Dania Beach?
Water heater replacement is permitted work in Broward County jurisdictions, so expect a permit and a data form. Ask the Dania Beach Building Division how it handles your address, since each city runs its own process.
My tank is leaking from the bottom. Can it be repaired?
No. A leak at the base or the bottom seam means the steel is gone and the tank needs replacing. A leak from the pipes on top may be repairable, which is why a short check comes first.
Should I replace the heater before it fails?
The Department of Energy lists storage heaters at 10 to 15 years. A planned swap costs less stress than a flooded closet, and it lets you choose a fuel type. See our water heater installation page for planning a swap.
Can I change from gas to electric, or to a tankless unit?
Usually yes, but the change affects wiring, venting or gas pipe. A tankless water heater often needs the biggest changes, so we look at the space and the gas supply before quoting.
I own a rental duplex near Dania Beach and the tank failed. What do you need from me?
Tell us the address, the fuel type and who can give access. If the unit is in Pembroke Park or elsewhere nearby, say so. Call (954) 697-4920 and we will walk through the permit and tenant notice questions.
Code reference: plumbing work in Florida falls under the Florida Building Code, Plumbing (8th Edition, 2023), which is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Ask the Dania Beach Building Division whether your job needs a permit.