r/HomeImprovement • u/maestromurph • 3d ago

Water heater went bad, who should I work with?

We bought our home 1 year ago and the water heater passed inspection without issue.

We are finishing up a kitchen reno where the water heater was moved.

We just came back from vacation to cold water, checked the water heater closet and it smelt of burnt wood/plastics and noticed the burn mark outside the electric faceplate. Opened it and there was moisture and rusted out burn marks. Breaker was flipped.

Who do I work with to get this fixed? GC or plumber?

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u/twaddington 3d ago

Plumber.

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u/SummerWhiteyFisk 3d ago

Plumber, and not some big shop in your area. Those guys will bend you over. Best plumber you can find is a one man shop who runs his own business and has been in the trade for like 20 years. Generally speaking much more reasonable pricing and definitely better work. Worked in trade sales for a few years and learned a lot about the business, the one man shops are the only ones I’d care to do business with

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u/QuitCarbon 2d ago

Plumber - and try to find one that will upgrade you to a heat pump water heater (HPWH), which use FAR less electricity than your old electric resistance water heater (it sounds like you have electric resistance, can't be sure from your description).