A Poway water heater that leaks from the tank, delivers rusty water or has needed repeated repairs is generally due for replacement. The City of Poway's Building Division takes permit applications electronically only, through the city's online services, with plan check and inspection handled by EsGil Corporation for the city. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poway.
How hard is Poway's water on a new heater?
Fairly hard. The City of Poway runs its own water utility and treats water at the Lester J. Berglund Water Treatment Plant. Its water quality report lists hardness averaging about 228 to 235 ppm as calcium carbonate, within a range of 165 to 291 ppm. At those levels, calcium settles in a tank every time the water heats, and the layer it forms on the bottom makes a gas burner work harder and an electric element run hotter. That's why older Poway heaters often pop and rumble before they fail. Draining a few gallons from the tank each year, checking the anode rod every few years, and considering a softener all help a new heater last longer. Poway disinfects with both chlorine and chloramines, and chloramines can shorten the life of rubber seals, so parts rated for that water are worth asking about.
Will my 1970s Poway home need extra work?
Possibly. The median home in Poway was built around 1978, so many houses have heaters in garages or closets laid out decades ago. Modern tanks are often bigger around than the units they replace, and older installs may have an outdated vent, an aging gas connector, no expansion tank or no earthquake strapping. A plumber will measure the space and tell you what the inspection will require. If the heater is in a detached garage or a long way from the bathrooms, it's also a good time to talk about recirculation or a different heater type.
Who do I call for water and gas emergencies?
For water, Poway's Customer Services line is 858-668-4401. After 3:00 p.m. on business days and on weekends and holidays, call the Water Treatment Plant at 858-668-4751. For gas, if you smell it near the heater, leave the house first. Then, from a safe location, call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343.
A Poway note
Poway is inland, so winter mornings are cooler than at the coast and incoming water is colder. A heater that barely keeps up in summer may fall short in January. Size the new unit for winter demand, not the easy months.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Poway
Is a permit required to replace a water heater here?
How hard is the local water, and what does that mean for a new tank?
Who do I call if the tank is flooding and the shutoff valve won't close?
What size water heater does my household need?
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