Can a water heater element be replaced without draining the tank?

• <div><p>No, you’ll need to drain the tank before changing a water heater element, as the water heater element sticks through the side of the tank and uses a gasket to prevent water from pouring out. However, you don’t always need to drain it completely. If you’re only replacing the upper heating element, you can drain the tank until the water line is below the element. If you’re replacing the lower element, you’ll need to drain the whole thing. </p></div>

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Q: Do water heater installers need to be licensed?

• <div><p>In most municipalities, a license is not mandatory for water heater installation or replacement. However, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed plumber or water heater installer to handle the work. Licensed installers are far less likely to make a mistake during the installation, which means paying for the experience decreases your risk of a leak and other issues. You can use our <a href="https://www.angi.com/angi-license-check.htm">state licensing tool</a> to find out if a contractor you&rsquo;re considering in your area holds a plumber&rsquo;s license.</p></div>

Q: What do I need to replace after water damage?

• <div><p>Any item that can hold on to moisture and encourage mold growth should be discarded and replaced following water damage. Upholstered items, such as armchairs and couches, and soft items, such as mattresses, usually must be thrown away once they've taken on a lot of water. Soft furniture is difficult to dry out, creating an inviting environment for mold.</p><p>You may also need to replace hardwood furniture following water damage if you're unable to fully dry it out. If you have appliances and electronics that have been fully submerged in water, particularly sewage, you'll need to replace those, too.</p></div>

Q: What is the cost to replace a hot water heater?

• <div><p>The cost to replace a water heater depends on the type you choose (tank versus tankless) and the fuel type. You can expect to pay anywhere from $880 to $1,780 for a one-to-one replacement. If you&rsquo;re switching from one type or energy source to another, labor costs will rise significantly for the extra amount of work. </p></div>

Q: How long will a water heater last after it starts leaking?

• <div><p>A leaking water heater could potentially last for a few weeks or months before you need to repair it. However, it's not advisable to wait too long. Once your water heater starts leaking, it's likely that the underlying cause of the leak is getting worse as time goes on. Without immediate repair, your water heater could fail. Instead of using a leaky water heater, you should turn it off and call a pro to fix it.</p></div>

Q: Can a water heater element be replaced without draining the tank?

• <div><p>No, you&rsquo;ll need to drain the tank before changing a water heater element, as the water heater element sticks through the side of the tank and uses a gasket to prevent water from pouring out. However, you don&rsquo;t always need to drain it completely. If you&rsquo;re only replacing the upper heating element, you can drain the tank until the water line is below the element. If you&rsquo;re replacing the lower element, you&rsquo;ll need to drain the whole thing. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Heater Service pros in Estherville, IA

*The Angi rating for Water Heater Service companies in Estherville, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Heater Service companies in Estherville, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

Last update on November 15, 2025

Reviewed in May 2019
D & E did the fill dirt around our house to help with the water issues in our basement. They did an amazing job and it was very affordable.
D AND E OUTSIDE SERVICES, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2016
Excellent! The problem was solved with the diagnosis from Neighbors.I had been having problems with drains in one of my rental homes. I was in New York when it happened. Water was coming down through the ceiling and into the basement. I asked neighbors to come and help diagnose the problem and...
Neighbors Heating Cooling Plumbing & Geothermal
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Reviewed in July 2013
I had gone without water for two weeks, because the plumbers' businesses in my county did not come when they promised, nor would they return calls, nor say why they didn't want the job, nor give any other professional response. But Mike came within hours of my call, from the next county over. ...
Mike's Plumbing and Pump Service
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Reviewed in June 2013
Mike arrived right on time and got started after introductions. He did a thorough job inspecting both buildings for a very reasonable price. He climbed up on the roofs of both inspected gutter chimneys, then around both foundations. Then inside checking both furnaces and AC units. Windows,...
The BrickKicker
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Reviewed in March 2013
The water softener doesn't work as well as the softener that we replaced. Service provided to fix the problem is not acceptable. We are going to replace this softener with a different brand from a different company.
Culligan Water of Atlantic
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Reviewed in March 2013
The water faucet leaked water because the seal did not fit the openings in our sink correctly. They came back and sealed it with calk. I could have easily done that myself. I paid for and expected a professional installation job. What I got was a sloppy quick fix. I have now replace the...
MASKER PLUMBING & HEATING
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Reviewed in February 2012
Kevin and Nate first pre-plumbed our drains and well runs before the concrete floor was poured and as soon as the inside was ready for the rough in they came back and worked with us on the locations of everything and talked us through what they would be doing and when. We felt totally...
City Plumbing
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Reviewed in February 2009
Mark the manager and Dave the Mechanic are wonders. They are two honest men. "Only what you need...at a price guaranteed," isn't just a sales come-on. They live by that motto. Dave said, "I've had some success draining/flushing heater cores before. I can't be sure of the results unless I try....
EXHAUST PROS
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Find Water heater pros in Estherville

Engineered Farm Drainage

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•Approved Pro

Engineered Farm Drainage

New on AngiNew on Angi

•Approved Pro

24 local quotes requested

5 years of experience

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business! Book with us online or feel free to give us a call today!

Neli Virtual Appliance Repair

Neli Virtual Appliance Repair

Customers say: Super punctual

30967 local quotes requested

9 years of experience

NEW! Appliance Consultation – Just $35 Get expert advice before you spend on repairs or replacements. A Neli technician will evaluate your issue and help you decide if your appliance can be fixed—or if it’s time for a new one. Virtual Appliance Diagnosis and Repair - Just $45 Service Description: Diagnose or repair your appliance virtually—no need for anyone to enter your home. Neli’s certified technicians guide you step-by-step via secure video chat. How It Works: Book online at nelihome.com or call 833-876-0900 Connect with a tech through our video platform Diagnose or fix the issue in real time Get expert advice and confidence in your next steps What’s Included: Real-time video guidance from a certified technician Diagnosis of the issue OR full repair (when possible) Step-by-step guidance using your smartphone or tablet Safe, contact-free service - no one in your home Flexible scheduling—appointments available daily Perfect For: Appliance fixes HVAC troubleshooting DIY-savvy homeowners Saving time and money on service calls

"Super helpful"

Michele H on November 2025

"Super helpful"

Michele H on November 2025

Jordan boyd

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Jordan boyd

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5 years of experience

New and remodels, drain cleaning main drains and smaller drains, water lines, sewer lines, main water valves, water heaters, trailer homes heat tape

Comfortec Heating Cooling & Plumbing Inc

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Comfortec Heating Cooling & Plumbing Inc

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Free onsite estimate

At Comfortec we are honored to work for you. When you invite a Comfortec employee into your Northwest Iowa home we will be on time, courteous and professional. Our technicians use carpet mask, protective shoe covers, and drop cloths to prevent your home from having damages caused by our service.

Krell Distributing Co Inc

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Krell Distributing Co Inc

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53 years of experience

Additional DBA - Krell Industries. Family owned & operated. Nationwide service.

Solar Wolf Energy

2.00(

)

Solar Wolf Energy

2.00(

)

10 years of experience

Solar Wolf is a full service solar company with a great reputation and an old world belief to our customers. To under-promise and over-deliver, period. We have 18 years experience in construction, remodeling, roofing, solar water heaters, solar pv systems, battery back-up systems and much more. See what Solar Wolf Energy can do for you!

Sanborn Hardware

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Sanborn Hardware

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25 years of experience

We employ 3 full time employees and 4 part time employees. We deliver equipment to homes, and jobsites. We also help customers get the necessary supplies for their numerous projects.

FIX-A-LOT Handyman Service

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FIX-A-LOT Handyman Service

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14 years of experience

Flexible hours to fit your needs. Free estimates. Reliable, professional, insured.

H1H2O Sewer & Drain Cleaning

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H1H2O Sewer & Drain Cleaning

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Terry has been providing the great people of Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, Pella, and the surrounding communities unparalleled service for the last 16 years. Terry not only provides service to residential and commercial customers, he is also the one plumbers call to get the job done. H1H2O Sewer & Drain Cleaning Service is has the lowest prices around. Contact Terry for the following: •Drain Cleaning •Sewer Cleaning •Minor Plumbing •Flooded Basements •Bathroom Drain Clearing • Kitchen sinks unclogged •Toilets and Tubs unclogged •Septic Tank Line Cleaning •Residential •Commercial H1H2O Sewer & Drain Cleaning Service is a locally owned and operated business. Call today for prompt and reliable service! Drain Cleaning Sewer Cleaning Minor Plumbing Basements pumped out Bathroom Drain Clearing Bathroom and Kitchen sinks unclogged Toilets and Tubs unclogged Residential Commercial Ottumwa, Iowa, Oskaloosa, Iowa, Pella, Iowa, Fairfield, Iowa.

Eledge Plumbing

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Eledge Plumbing

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Free onsite estimate

Business CategoryPlumbing Contractors, Plumbers - Commercial, Plumbing - Renovation & Repair, Plumbing Drains & Sewer Cleaning, Water Heaters - Repairing, In-floor Heating, Water Heater - Tankless, Water Heaters - Parts & Supplies Products & Services.This company provides residential and light commercial plumbing contractor services including drain line replacements, water heater repairs, reverse osmosis filters and plumbing repairs. They also offer in-floor heating services. - Radon testing and Mitigation

Showing 1-10 of 24

Water Heaters questions, answered by experts

In most municipalities, a license is not mandatory for water heater installation or replacement. However, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed plumber or water heater installer to handle the work. Licensed installers are far less likely to make a mistake during the installation, which means paying for the experience decreases your risk of a leak and other issues. You can use our state licensing tool to find out if a contractor you’re considering in your area holds a plumber’s license.

Any item that can hold on to moisture and encourage mold growth should be discarded and replaced following water damage. Upholstered items, such as armchairs and couches, and soft items, such as mattresses, usually must be thrown away once they've taken on a lot of water. Soft furniture is difficult to dry out, creating an inviting environment for mold.

You may also need to replace hardwood furniture following water damage if you're unable to fully dry it out. If you have appliances and electronics that have been fully submerged in water, particularly sewage, you'll need to replace those, too.

The cost to replace a water heater depends on the type you choose (tank versus tankless) and the fuel type. You can expect to pay anywhere from $880 to $1,780 for a one-to-one replacement. If you’re switching from one type or energy source to another, labor costs will rise significantly for the extra amount of work.

A leaking water heater could potentially last for a few weeks or months before you need to repair it. However, it's not advisable to wait too long. Once your water heater starts leaking, it's likely that the underlying cause of the leak is getting worse as time goes on. Without immediate repair, your water heater could fail. Instead of using a leaky water heater, you should turn it off and call a pro to fix it.

No, you’ll need to drain the tank before changing a water heater element, as the water heater element sticks through the side of the tank and uses a gasket to prevent water from pouring out. However, you don’t always need to drain it completely. If you’re only replacing the upper heating element, you can drain the tank until the water line is below the element. If you’re replacing the lower element, you’ll need to drain the whole thing.

The Estherville, IA homeowners’ guide to water heater services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Allie Ogletree
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May 2, 2025May 2, 2025
How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost? [2025 Data]
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•
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How Much Does a Solar Water Heater Cost? [2025 Data]
While solar water heater costs are a bit higher than a standard system, this energy-saving option could pay for itself in a few years. Here’s what you need to know.
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•
May 20, 2025May 20, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Flush a Water Heater? [2025 Data]
A water heater flush costs $160 on average but can vary based on the unit size, type, labor, location, and more. Keep reading to learn how much you could pay.
Kyle Schurman
•
Apr 3, 2025Apr 3, 2025
How to Replace a Water Heater In Your Home in 7 Steps
Learning how to replace a water heater in your home is a challenging task that most people will want to leave to the professionals. But if you’ve got expert-level skills, here’s what to do.
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May 1, 2025May 1, 2025
Why Is My Water Heater Making Noise? 8 Common Sounds and How to Fix Them
Sediment buildup and loose valves are common reasons for a hot water heater that’s making noise. Here are the most common causes and their fixes.
Nicole Harris Bocianski
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Apr 23, 2025Apr 23, 2025
Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank: Which Is Right for You?
Hot water tanks heat your home’s water supply. Find out whether to choose a tankless water heater or tank unit based on cost, maintenance, efficiency, and other factors.