Sandison Water Heater Services in Oakland and Macomb Counties

Tank water heater repair, installation, and replacement for homes and businesses throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Sandison diagnoses water heater problems accurately before recommending repair or replacement. Michigan Master Plumber 8112263. Plumbing Contractor 800-3618.

Call (248) 453-1227 Request Service

Water Heater Services

Repair and diagnosis

Systematic diagnosis of no-hot-water, insufficient-hot-water, leaking, temperature, combustion, venting, and control problems. Sandison identifies the root cause before recommending any repair.

Installation and replacement

New water heater installation and replacement for residential and commercial applications. Includes sizing, equipment selection, venting, gas or electrical connections, and startup.

Safety inspection

Inspection of pressure relief valve, anode rod, venting, combustion (gas), electrical connections, and tank condition. Recommended annually for water heaters over 5 years old.

Common Water Heater Problems

Sandison diagnoses and repairs a full range of tank water heater problems. Common issues include:

No hot water — pilot out, thermocouple failure, or heating element failure

Insufficient hot water — undersized unit, sediment buildup, or failing element

Water too hot or too cold — thermostat failure or miscalibration

Leaking from pressure relief valve — excessive pressure or failing valve

Leaking from tank body — internal corrosion; replacement required

Leaking from connections or fittings — often repairable

Discolored or odorous water — anode rod depletion or bacterial growth

Rumbling or popping sounds — sediment buildup in tank

Combustion problems — improper draft, blocked flue, or gas supply issue

Venting problems — blocked or improperly installed flue

Gas, Electric, and Venting Configurations

Sandison installs and services tank water heaters in all common configurations:

Gas atmospheric-vent

The most common configuration in Oakland and Macomb County. Uses natural draft through a flue pipe to exhaust combustion gases. Requires adequate combustion air in the mechanical room. Sandison inspects draft and combustion on every gas water heater service call.

Gas power-vent

Uses a blower to exhaust combustion gases through PVC or ABS pipe. Allows installation in locations where a conventional flue is not practical. Requires a 120V electrical connection for the blower. Sandison installs and services power-vent water heaters for residential and commercial applications.

Electric

Electric water heaters use resistance heating elements and do not require venting. Used where natural gas is not available or in applications where gas is not preferred. Require a 240V dedicated circuit. Sandison installs and services electric water heaters for residential and commercial applications.

Direct-vent and sealed combustion

Direct-vent water heaters draw combustion air from outside through a sealed pipe and exhaust through a separate pipe. Used in tight construction where indoor combustion air is limited. Sandison installs and services direct-vent water heaters.

Installation Connections and Safety Components

A correct water heater installation requires attention to all of the connections and safety components, not just the tank itself:

Water connections — supply shutoff valve, cold inlet, hot outlet, and dielectric unions where required to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Gas connections — properly sized gas line, shutoff valve, and flexible connector. Gas pressure verified at the manifold.
Electrical connections — 240V dedicated circuit for electric water heaters; 120V for power-vent blowers.
Venting — properly sized, pitched, and supported flue pipe for atmospheric-vent units; PVC or ABS for power-vent units.
Pressure relief valve — installed and piped to a safe discharge location. Tested and replaced if it does not reseat properly.
Drain pan — installed under the water heater with a drain line to prevent water damage from minor leaks or relief valve discharge.
Expansion tank — required on closed systems (homes with a pressure-reducing valve or backflow preventer) to accommodate thermal expansion.
Seismic strapping — required by code in some jurisdictions; Sandison installs strapping where required.

Sizing and Recovery Considerations

Tank water heater sizing is based on the first-hour rating (FHR) — the amount of hot water the heater can deliver in the first hour of use — and the household's peak demand. An undersized water heater runs out of hot water during peak use. An oversized water heater wastes energy maintaining a large volume of hot water that is not needed.

Recovery rate — how quickly the water heater reheats after the tank is depleted — is also important for households with high demand. Gas water heaters generally have faster recovery rates than electric water heaters of the same capacity. Sandison evaluates the household's demand and recommends appropriate sizing and recovery capacity.

Repair Versus Replacement

Not every water heater problem requires replacement. Sandison evaluates the age and condition of the existing water heater and presents repair and replacement options with honest guidance:

Repair is often appropriate when:

The water heater is less than 8 years old
The tank is not leaking from the tank body
The repair cost is reasonable relative to replacement
The water heater is properly sized for the application

Replacement is often appropriate when:

The water heater is 10 or more years old
The tank body is leaking — internal corrosion
The anode rod is depleted and the tank is showing corrosion
The repair cost approaches the cost of replacement
The existing unit is undersized for current demand

Considering Tankless?

Sandison is a Noritz Certified Platinum Dealer for tankless water heaters. Tankless systems offer continuous hot water and energy savings for households with moderate to high demand — but they require a larger gas supply, proper venting, and regular maintenance in hard-water areas like Oakland and Macomb County. Tankless is not always the better choice.

Sandison evaluates both options honestly and presents the trade-offs. The right choice depends on the household's demand, the existing gas supply, venting options, and the owner's maintenance commitment.

Learn about tankless water heaters

Residential Water Heaters

Sandison installs and services tank water heaters for homeowners throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Residential water heater work includes repair, replacement, anode rod service, expansion tank installation, and pressure relief valve service.

Commercial Water Heaters

Sandison installs and services commercial water heaters and hot water booster systems for offices, restaurants, medical facilities, and light industrial applications throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Commercial water heater sizing and recovery requirements differ significantly from residential applications. See commercial plumbing for more detail.

Emergency Water Heater Service

Emergency water heater calls are accepted 24/7. For after-hours emergencies, call (248) 467-1761. After-hours response depends on technician availability, your location, and the type of work required.

For scheduling during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), call (248) 453-1227.

24/7: (248) 467-1761 Emergency info

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Water Heaters — Frequently Asked Questions

How does Sandison diagnose a water heater problem?

The technician inspects the tank, anode rod, dip tube, thermostat, heating elements (electric) or burner assembly and thermocouple/thermopile (gas), pressure relief valve, drain valve, venting (gas), and electrical connections. For gas water heaters, combustion is verified and the flue is inspected for proper draft. The technician identifies the root cause before recommending any repair.

My water heater is leaking. Does it need to be replaced?

It depends on where the leak is. A leak from the pressure relief valve may indicate excessive pressure or a failing valve — often repairable. A leak from a fitting, connection, or drain valve may be repairable. A leak from the tank itself — the tank body — indicates internal corrosion and the water heater must be replaced. Sandison diagnoses the source of the leak before recommending replacement.

How long does a tank water heater last?

Most tank water heaters have a service life of 8 to 12 years under normal conditions. Factors that affect longevity include water quality (hard water accelerates anode rod depletion and tank corrosion), maintenance history (anode rod replacement extends tank life), and operating pressure. Sandison evaluates the age and condition of the existing water heater when recommending repair versus replacement.

What size water heater do I need?

Tank water heater sizing is based on the first-hour rating (FHR) — the amount of hot water the heater can deliver in the first hour of use — and the household's peak demand. A family of four typically requires a 50-gallon gas water heater or a 50–80 gallon electric water heater, depending on usage patterns. Sandison evaluates the household's demand and recommends appropriate sizing.

Is a tankless water heater better than a tank water heater?

Not always. Tankless systems offer continuous hot water and energy savings for households with moderate to high demand, but require a larger gas supply, proper venting, and regular maintenance in hard-water areas. For some applications — particularly low-demand households or properties with limited gas supply — a high-efficiency tank water heater is the better choice. Sandison evaluates both options honestly.

Is emergency water heater service available after hours?

Emergency calls are accepted 24/7. For after-hours water heater emergencies, call (248) 467-1761. After-hours response depends on technician availability, your location, and the type of work required. For scheduling during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), call (248) 453-1227.

Schedule Water Heater Service

Call Sandison at (248) 453-1227 or submit a service request online. For after-hours water heater emergencies, call (248) 467-1761.