Water heater service across Lee & Collier County
Your water heater works every time someone showers, runs the dishwasher or does a load of laundry. When it quits, the whole house feels it. We handle the full job, from diagnosing a cold shower to installing a new high-efficiency tankless system.
- Water heater repair: heating elements, thermostats, gas valves, igniters, pilot assemblies, temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valves, drain valves and supply connections.
- Water heater replacement: same-size tank swaps, upsizing for a growing family, and moving a heater out of a spot where a leak would do damage.
- Tankless water heater installation: sizing to your household's real hot-water demand, venting and electrical or gas requirements, and conversion from a tank.
- Tankless repair and descaling: error codes, flow problems and the yearly mineral flush that keeps a tankless unit running efficiently.
- Commercial water heaters: restaurants, offices and multi-unit buildings that can't afford to lose hot water. See our commercial plumbing page.
We're a Florida state-certified plumbing contractor (license CFC1429748) based in North Fort Myers, and a second-generation plumbing family. When you call, you're talking to the people who will actually do the work.
Signs your water heater needs repair
Most water heaters give warnings before they fail completely. If you notice any of these, call before a small fix turns into a flooded garage.
- No hot water at allOften a failed element, thermostat, tripped breaker or pilot problem.
- Hot water runs out fastA failed lower element or heavy sediment taking up space in the tank.
- Rumbling or popping soundsSediment on the bottom of the tank boiling as the burner or element heats it.
- Rusty or discolored hot waterCan point to a worn anode rod or corrosion inside the tank.
- Water around the baseA drip from a fitting or valve is repairable. A leak from the tank itself is not.
- Rotten-egg smellA reaction between minerals in the water and the anode rod, common with well water.
- Relief valve drippingToo much pressure or temperature in the tank. Have it checked promptly.
- Breaker keeps trippingA shorted element or wiring problem on an electric heater.
Most water heater repairs are handled the same day you call.
Repair or replace? How we help you decide
We give you honest advice with no pressure and no hard sell. If a small part fixes it, we'll tell you. Here's how we look at it with you:
- Age of the heater. A tank water heater typically lasts 8 to 12 years. Past that range, a big repair often just buys time before the tank fails.
- Where the problem is. Elements, thermostats, valves and igniters are repairable. Water leaking from the tank body means the tank has corroded through, and replacement is the only safe option.
- Repair cost vs. replacement cost. If a repair on an older heater costs close to half of a new one, replacement usually makes more sense.
- Your plans for the home. Staying long-term may make a tankless upgrade worth it. Selling soon may mean a reliable like-for-like tank is the smarter buy.
Either way, you get an upfront price before any work begins. If you want a second look at a quote you got elsewhere, we give free estimates.
Tank vs. tankless water heaters
Both are good choices. The right one depends on your household, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Here's a plain comparison.
| Tank water heater | Tankless water heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher (unit plus installation changes) |
| Typical lifespan | 8–12 years | Often 20+ years with yearly maintenance* |
| Hot water supply | Limited to tank size, then recovers | Continuous, limited by flow rate |
| Energy use | Keeps a full tank hot around the clock | Heats only when you open a tap; 24–34% more efficient for homes using 41 gallons a day or less* |
| Space | Floor space in garage, closet or utility room | Compact, wall-mounted |
| Maintenance | Flush yearly, check anode rod | Descale yearly, clean inlet filter |
| Good fit for | Tighter budgets, simple swaps, rentals | Long-term homeowners, larger families, freeing up space |
*Lifespan and efficiency figures are from the U.S. Department of Energy's guidance on tankless (demand-type) water heaters. Real results depend on your water quality, usage and maintenance.
Converting to tankless sometimes needs electrical or gas changes. Many whole-home electric tankless units need a large dedicated circuit, and some homes need a panel upgrade. We check this before we quote, so the price you approve covers the whole job. Ask about current tankless specials.
Why Southwest Florida is hard on water heaters
Water heaters here face a few local challenges that shorten their life if nobody keeps an eye on them:
- Well water. Many homes in Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Pine Island and Golden Gate Estates run on private wells. Well water often carries minerals and sediment that settle in the tank, wear out anode rods faster and cause the rotten-egg smell. A water filtration or softener system protects the heater and every fixture in the house.
- Garage installations. Many Florida homes keep the water heater in a hot garage. That's normal, but leaks there can go unnoticed for weeks. A drain pan and a yearly check catch problems early.
- Salt air near the coast. In Cape Coral canal homes, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and Marco Island, salt air speeds up corrosion on exposed fittings, valves and venting.
- Storms and flooding. If a water heater sat in floodwater after a storm, don't turn it back on until a plumber has inspected it. Water can damage the controls, gas valve and burner, and it isn't safe to run.
We'll size it to your home and give you an upfront price with no pressure.
What to expect when you call
- Call or book online. Tell us what's happening. Leaks and no-hot-water calls are prioritized, and emergency calls are answered 24/7.
- We diagnose the real problem. A licensed plumber tests the heater, the supply, the relief valve and the power or gas supply, not just the symptom.
- You get options and an upfront price. Repair or replace, tank or tankless, with the price agreed before work starts.
- We do the work and test it with you. Connections are checked for leaks, temperature is set safely, and the work area is cleaned up.
- You're covered for a year. Our 1-year personal guarantee covers parts and service. If something we did goes wrong, we fix it free.
Water heater maintenance tips
A little maintenance adds years to a water heater and keeps your energy bill in check:
- Flush the tank once a year to clear sediment, more often on well water.
- Test the relief valve once a year by lifting the lever briefly. If it doesn't snap shut or keeps dripping, call us.
- Set the temperature to about 120°F. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends it for most homes to save energy and reduce scalding risk.
- Have the anode rod checked every few years. It's the part that sacrifices itself so the tank doesn't rust.
- Descale tankless units yearly, especially with hard or well water.
Our plumbing maintenance plan includes a whole-home plumbing check, so your water heater gets looked at before it becomes an emergency.
Water heater service near you
We repair and install water heaters in every city in Lee and Collier County, including:
Water heater FAQ
How long does a water heater last in Florida?
A tank water heater typically lasts 8 to 12 years. Homes on unfiltered well water often see a shorter lifespan because minerals and sediment build up in the tank. Tankless water heaters often last 20 years or more when they are descaled every year.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
Repair makes sense when the heater is under about 8 years old and the problem is a part such as an element, thermostat, valve or igniter. Replace it when water is leaking from the tank itself, when the heater is past 10 to 12 years old, or when the repair costs close to half the price of a new unit.
Is a tankless water heater worth it?
For many long-term homeowners, yes. Tankless units provide continuous hot water, take up less space, last longer and use less energy because they only heat water on demand. They cost more upfront and sometimes need electrical or gas upgrades, so we check your home and give you an upfront price before you decide.
What should I do if my water heater is leaking?
Close the cold-water supply valve at the top of the heater, then turn off the power at the breaker for an electric heater, or turn the gas valve to off for a gas heater. Move valuables away from the water and call Sunshine Plumbing Services at (239) 324-6776. Emergency calls are answered 24/7.
How long does a water heater replacement take?
A standard like-for-like tank replacement is usually finished in a few hours. Tankless conversions take longer because they can involve new venting, gas or electrical work, and we schedule them so your home is without hot water for as little time as possible.
Do you give free estimates on water heaters?
Yes. We give free estimates on water heater replacements and tankless installations, and every job comes with an upfront price before work begins plus our 1-year guarantee on parts and service.