When your water heater stops working, you need fast help from plumbers who know San Diego homes. Pacific Drain & Plumbing provides expert water heater repair, replacement, and installation throughout San Diego County, backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Contact Pacific Drain & Plumbing using the form below and we will get back to you ASAP
We handle everything related to water heaters, from emergency repairs to complete system replacements. Here's what we do:
Watch for these warning signs that your water heater needs attention:
Don’t wait for a complete breakdown. Small problems caught early save money and prevent the hassle of going without hot water.
San Diego’s hard water creates unique challenges for water heaters. Since most of our water comes from the Colorado River, it carries high mineral content that settles inside tanks and builds up over time. This sediment layer is why you might hear knocking or rumbling sounds from your water heater, especially in areas like El Cajon, Santee, and East County where the water is particularly hard.
That mineral buildup doesn’t just make noise. It forces your water heater to work harder, costs more to run, and wears out components faster than they should. We see water heaters in San Diego that only last 6-8 years when they should make it to 10-12, all because sediment never got flushed out.
The coastal humidity adds another layer of trouble. It speeds up corrosion on tanks and connections, which means leaks can develop earlier than expected. Between the hard water and the salt air, your water heater faces more stress here than in many other parts of California.
You need a plumber who understands how San Diego’s water affects your home. Our technicians live and work here, so they’ve seen every problem that hard water and coastal conditions create. We don’t just patch things up – we look at the whole system to make sure you’re getting reliable hot water that lasts.
We show up ready to work, with the parts and equipment to handle most repairs on the spot. No multiple trips or waiting days for parts to arrive. You get clear explanations about what’s wrong and what it’ll take to fix it, with pricing you can see before we start any work.
Our lifetime workmanship guarantee backs every job we do. If something goes wrong with our work, we come back and make it right. That’s not common in this industry, but it’s how we’ve built our reputation across San Diego County.
Pacific Drain & Plumbing is a Mauzy brand. The reviews below are from Mauzy customers in San Diego, served by the same team that handles Pacific Drain jobs.
Posted on Chris CamarataTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joel was very good. Talked with me, explained why to replace socket, and very respectful. He is a keeperPosted on Wendy LedfordTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Furnace maintainance was effortless and included in my yearly service agreementPosted on Jody WelpTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joe A. Did a great job troubleshooting and fixing the issue. Thank you!Posted on Kathryn WhistlerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Electrical inspection in service contract so part af a package. Technician Isaac was very helpful.Posted on Tom GarrisonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Darren was knowledgeable, friendly, considerate and efficient. All good.Posted on Charles NnajiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 4/9/24 Michael Mitman was the specialist that did my maintenance on my unit today, and was very thorough as well as provided recommendations and offered the discount rate for my next year visit as well as gave good information on changing out the filter sooner than 90 days due to pet and carpet. He is very knowledgeable and also found out he went to high school with my oldest son. Thanks again for an awesome service today. January 14, 2026 Joshua came and serviced my water heater as well as recommended items that need to be replaced and what functions and issues can arise if ignored. He is very knowledgeable and explained everything he was doing as well as showing the results of his assessments. He deserves a raise because it is rare to have someone so knowledgeable and confident in what they do which is a huge plus. I will definitely highly recommend him. Again thank you for a job well done Joshua and the Mauzy team. January 22, 2026, James Logsdon came and did our hvac systems maintenance. He was very professional, detailed and communicated his recommendations to keep the systems running for a while. I am glad this was done today. Thanks again for your services, will definitely recommend him for hvac systems maintenance.Posted on Ghiasi DesignsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mike was absolutely amazing! He took the time to go over all the potential reasons the heater was not working, trouble shooter the thermostat and got the heat back on. He is extremely kind, professional and I highly recommend their company and ask for Michael!Posted on Asher A.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michael Mitman came in today and fixed our non-working heating. He took his time in diagnosing the issue until he got it fixed. Very straightforward, friendly, and experienced. Thank you Michael! Mauzy is always trustworthy in issues like this!Posted on Linda PalmerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jonathan Sandoval was courteous, knowledgeable, efficient, and professional. I was pleased with the installation work they did on my new HVAC package. I would recommend them in the future.Posted on Roxanne BurroughsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mikel was very professional, well-mannered, informative and polite. Good experience.
From booking to completion, our streamlined process ensures hassle-free, efficient handyman services. Just follow the steps below, and we’ll handle the rest, delivering quality work you can count on.
Tank water heaters usually last 8-12 years, but San Diego's hard water can shorten that to 6-10 years without proper maintenance. Tankless systems often make it to 15-20 years. Regular flushing and maintenance help any water heater reach its full lifespan here.
That banging or popping sound comes from mineral deposits at the bottom of your tank. San Diego's hard water accelerates this buildup. The sediment layer heats up and causes steam bubbles to break loose, creating the noise. It's a sign your tank needs flushing.
It depends on the age of your unit and the repair cost. If your water heater is over 8 years old and the repair costs more than a third of a new unit's price, replacement usually makes more sense. We'll give you honest advice on what works best for your situation.
It depends on how many people live there and your hot water usage patterns. A family of four typically needs a 50-60 gallon tank or a tankless system rated for 3-4 simultaneous uses. We'll help you size it correctly based on your specific needs.
Because of our hard water, annual flushing is essential. In areas with especially hard water like El Cajon or Santee, twice-yearly flushing might be better. This prevents sediment buildup that damages tanks and reduces efficiency.
Because of our hard water, annual flushing is essential. In areas with especially hard water like El Cajon or Santee, twice-yearly flushing might be better. This prevents sediment buildup that damages tanks and reduces efficiency.
Yes, we repair, install, and maintain all major tankless water heater brands. Tankless systems need regular descaling in San Diego due to mineral buildup, and we handle that along with any repairs they need.