From a failing tank unit to a brand-new tankless upgrade, PlumbSmart Plumbing and Drains delivers honest, expert water heater service backed by the only 5 to 10 year installation warranty offered in the region.
Hot water is one of those household necessities you only notice when it stops working. Whether your current water heater is leaking, struggling to keep up with demand, or simply reaching the end of its lifespan, PlumbSmart Plumbing and Drains is ready to help homeowners and businesses throughout Asheville and surrounding Western North Carolina communities get reliable hot water restored quickly and correctly.
PlumbSmart has been a family owned and operated plumbing company in Asheville since July 2008, and water heater work is one of our core specialties. We service, repair, and install traditional tank water heaters, tankless on-demand systems, and heat pump water heaters. Our team works with leading brands including A. O. Smith, Rinnai, Rheem, Takagi, Navien, State, American, U.S. Craftmaster, and American Standard, so you receive a unit matched to your home's specific hot-water load and budget.
We believe in giving homeowners real choices. On every water heater job we provide multiple options and solutions rather than pushing a single answer, and our set pricing means you know the cost before any work begins. Pair that with our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and you can feel confident that PlumbSmart will stand behind the job long after we pack up our tools.
Symptom: Cold water comes out of every hot tap in the house regardless of thermostat setting.
Solution: A plumber diagnoses whether the issue is a failed heating element, a tripped thermostat, a pilot light outage on a gas unit, or a sediment-clogged heat exchanger, then repairs or replaces the faulty component.
Symptom: Water fluctuates between scalding and lukewarm during a single shower or the unit runs out of hot water faster than it used to.
Solution: Mineral scale buildup on heating elements or inside the tank reduces efficiency and capacity. Flushing the tank, descaling, or replacing worn elements restores consistent output; in severe cases a correctly sized replacement unit is recommended.
Symptom: Brownish or rust-tinted water appears at hot-water taps, sometimes with a metallic odor.
Solution: Corrosion inside the tank, a depleted sacrificial anode rod, or corroded pipes are common culprits. A plumber inspects the anode rod and tank lining; if internal corrosion is advanced, replacement is the safest long-term fix.
Symptom: Pooling water or moisture around the base of the unit, or dripping from the temperature and pressure relief valve.
Solution: Leaks at fittings or the T and P valve are often repairable, but a leak from the tank body itself indicates internal corrosion and typically requires full replacement before a larger water damage event occurs.
Symptom: Loud banging or rumbling sounds when the water heater fires up, especially in homes with hard water.
Solution: Sediment settling on the bottom of the tank heats unevenly and creates noise. Annual flushing can prevent this, but a heavily scaled tank may need replacement to restore efficiency and prevent premature failure.
Symptom: The water heater is ten or more years old, energy bills have crept up, and repairs are becoming more frequent.
Solution: A plumber evaluates whether the remaining service life justifies another repair or whether a new, more efficient tank or tankless unit offers better long-term value, then walks the homeowner through specific options and pricing.
Traditional storage tank water heaters remain the most common choice in Asheville homes. They heat a set volume of water continuously and store it ready for use. Modern high-efficiency tank units have improved dramatically in insulation and recovery rate, making them a cost-effective option for households with predictable hot-water patterns. Proper sizing is critical: an undersized tank causes the frustrating cold-water surge you feel mid-shower, while an oversized unit wastes energy heating water that sits unused.
Tankless water heaters, sometimes called on-demand or instantaneous heaters, heat water only when a tap is opened. Because there is no standing tank to lose heat overnight, energy consumption drops significantly in many households. Tankless units also tend to have a longer service life than tank models. The trade-off is a higher upfront equipment cost and, in some cases, the need for upgraded gas lines or electrical service to support the unit's higher instantaneous demand. PlumbSmart installs and services tankless brands including Rinnai, Navien, and Takagi, among others.
Heat pump water heaters represent a newer category that pulls ambient heat from surrounding air and transfers it into the water rather than generating heat directly. They are among the most energy-efficient options available for residential use, though they work best in spaces that remain above about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and have adequate airflow. For Asheville homes with a conditioned basement, utility room, or garage, a heat pump water heater can deliver substantial long-term savings.
No matter which type of unit is installed, PlumbSmart backs every water heater installation with a 5 to 10 year warranty, the only company in the region offering coverage at that level. We also offer financing through GoodLeap with 5, 7, or 10 year plans so that upgrading to a more efficient system does not have to wait for the perfect budget moment. If your home already has a recently installed water heater and you have questions about it, ask about our no-charge second look service.
PlumbSmart backs every water heater installation with a 5 to 10 year warranty, the only coverage of its kind offered by a plumbing company in the region.
PlumbSmart uses set pricing on water heater work, so you know exactly what the job costs before any work begins.
From tank to tankless to heat pump units across nine leading brands, PlumbSmart presents genuine alternatives so you choose the system that fits your home and budget.
A leaking or failed water heater cannot always wait until Monday morning; PlumbSmart offers 24/7 emergency plumbing service for urgent situations.
Water heater warranty
5 to 10 year warranties on PlumbSmart water heater installations
Protection for one of your home's biggest plumbing investments. Ask about coverage when you request your free estimate.
Piper Protection Plans
Save on service calls with a Piper Protection Plan
Comprehensive from $14/month or Premium from $35/month, with discounts, priority scheduling and annual inspections.
Financing
5, 7 or 10 year financing through GoodLeap
Spread the cost of larger plumbing projects. Contact the office to find the plan that fits.
Western North Carolina's combination of mountain terrain, older housing stock, hard groundwater in many areas, and cold winters creates specific challenges for water heaters. Homes in and around Asheville can experience freezing temperatures that stress pipes and tank exteriors, particularly in crawl spaces or garages where units are sometimes located. Older homes common throughout the region may have aging flues, undersized gas supply lines, or outdated tank units that have long exceeded their design life. Properties on private wells often deal with harder or more mineral-laden water that accelerates sediment buildup inside tanks and shortens heating element life. Whether your home is on municipal water, a well, or uses a septic system, the local conditions here make regular water heater attention more important than in milder climates, and choosing a contractor familiar with WNC's specific conditions is worth the consideration.
Areas we serve
PlumbSmart has served homes and businesses across Asheville since 2008, along with the surrounding Western North Carolina communities. Not sure if we cover your address? Give us a call and we'll let you know.
Headquartered in Asheville, NC
1 Sunny Ridge Dr., Asheville, NC 28804
Serving Asheville & nearby WNC communities
Schedule service
Tell us what's going on and when works for you. We'll contact you to confirm the appointment.
