What happens if a water heater is not vented properly?

• <div><p>If your system is not vented properly, you could experience what’s called backdrafting. Backdrafting is when your ventilation system isn’t working as it should, and instead of releasing gases outside, they get trapped inside your home. </p><p>Gas and propane water heaters create a few types of combustion gases, but the most dangerous is carbon monoxide. If there’s too much build-up of these gases inside your home, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.</p></div>

Get matched with top water heater pros in Canton, SD

Q: Can you still use water if your water heater is leaking?

• <div><p>We recommend you turn off the unit, the power, and the water supply as soon as you notice a leak. Your water heater tank should have a dedicated shut-off valve located on the cold inlet pipes. If the valve is broken or inoperable, use the shut-off valve to your home's main water supply to stop the flow to the entire house.</p><p>Avoid touching valves or pipes directly without confirming if they are hot. Wear gloves and other safety gear to keep from coming into contact with hot levers or components when turning off your leaking water heater.</p></div>

Q: Can you vent a gas water heater out the side of the house?

• <div><p>You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides. </p><p>Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.</p></div>

Q: How often should a gas water heater be replaced?

• <div><p>You should replace your gas water heater when it&rsquo;s reached the end of its lifespan, which is a maximum of 12 years in most cases. If your unit is over a decade old and showing signs of inefficiency, leaks, or frequent malfunctions, it may be time to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-replace-gas-water-heater.htm">replace your water heater</a>. Research how to best maintain your gas water heater to help extend its lifespan.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to replace a hot water heater element?

• <div><p>It takes between one and three hours to replace a hot water heater element, depending on whether you hire a pro or do the work yourself. For example, a professional plumber with all the necessary tools and experience can often finish the job in one to two hours, whereas DIY will take two to three hours because it'll involve more preparation and troubleshooting.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Heater Service pros in Canton, SD

*The Angi rating for Water Heater Service companies in Canton, SD 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 Canton, SD 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 August 13, 2025

Reviewed in August 2025
I was experiencing my gutters overflowing. Every rainfall, water would spill out of my gutters instead of my downspouts. I was very frustrated. I did some research and discovered Mr. Handyman. They were WONDERFUL. They came and cleaned out piles of leaves from the previous years and now my...
Mr. Handyman of Greater Sioux Falls
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Reviewed in July 2025
Do NOT trust this company? Did a remodel project at my home.. Did not bother to pull building permit for the majority of the project.. Completed HVAC and electrical work that he isn?t competent enough to do.. For the first time living at my home- we now have water coming in our mechanical room...
Daggett Construction Services, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2024
Piercen did an awesome job and went above and beyond on our garage heater installation.
Dr. HVAC
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Reviewed in July 2018
I really liked the quick response and customer experience with both owner and workers, but... I wish they would go through more details before work, because I did not think they did all of what was expected from me. Need more fill around concrete work after they were done, Floor level was a...
S&G Specialty Concrete
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Reviewed in October 2017
It was replaced. It took 4 hours. We were charged the same amount for installation as we had been charged the first time, 3 years prior. This was legal but it seemed wrong. We were sent a letter on their letterhead signed by their secretary and owner saying it was legal. I have all the...
Hander, Inc. Plumbing & Heating
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Reviewed in May 2017
Contractor said the water heater needed replacing and needed the addition of a water softener. They provided my wife a quote of $5,500 for the water heater and $1,000 for the softener. Anyone that knows anything about water heaters knows there is not a system in the world that should cost any...
Comfort Heroes Plumbing, Heating & Air
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Reviewed in November 2016
Our water heater quit and they came out to repair it the same day. It quit again within a day and had to be replaced. They came right away and replaced the entire water heater and tore up the bill from the previous visit.
Frisbee Plumbing Heating Air Conditioning & Electr
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Reviewed in March 2016
I should have had them out a long time ago, when the water pressure had dropped, I had apparently waited long enough that the filters had become clogged and stopped up. The service tech showed up within the allotted time window, but at the very end of it. I was wondering if he was even going to...
Culligan Water of Sioux Falls SD
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Reviewed in March 2011
Our heater stopped working on one of the coldest days of the year. I called and they were able to send someone out within a few hours. They arrived and after inspecting the heater showed me how I could read the flowchart on my furnace and determine what the color coded lights meant so in the...
SCHEMPP HEATING & AIR COND INC
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Find Water heater pros in Canton

J-Pimentel, LLC

4.3(

)

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For BusinessTankless Water Heater - Repair+5 more

Serving Canton, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

At J-Pimentel, LLC we pride our ourselves in quality, value, and service! We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular project. We look forward to earning your business!

Response time1 day

Recommended by70%of homeowners

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,688

)

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Canton, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"We pay yearly but we have this is included with our rental property. They are pretty good on most things. We had a hot water heater replaced and they did an excellent job on that. They are very quick on their response. They dont come out here. It is all done on the internet. I just like the idea that one time service charge is so much better than trying to hiring someone to come in. It is more about convenience. It pays for itself."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

Water Heater - Install or ReplaceWater Heater - Repair or Service

Serving Canton, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.\n

Response time50 mins

Recommended by88%of homeowners

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605 Plumbing & Heating

New to Angi

Water Heater - Install or Replace

Serving Canton, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

605 Plumbing and Heating, is a locally owned and operated business out of Yankton, SD. We provide our customers with what our 10 years of industry experience has taught us the importance of timeliness, integrity, and quality of work. Give us a call for a free quote!

Response time10 hrs

Response rate100%

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Emerald River Plumbing & Drain

New to Angi

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - RepairWater Heater - Install or Replace+1 more

Serving Canton, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Residential Plumbing and Service.\nDrain Clearing, water heater install /repair, home repipes, gas lines, leaking toilets and fixtures. 10 Years Experience

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Water Heaters questions, answered by experts

We recommend you turn off the unit, the power, and the water supply as soon as you notice a leak. Your water heater tank should have a dedicated shut-off valve located on the cold inlet pipes. If the valve is broken or inoperable, use the shut-off valve to your home's main water supply to stop the flow to the entire house.

Avoid touching valves or pipes directly without confirming if they are hot. Wear gloves and other safety gear to keep from coming into contact with hot levers or components when turning off your leaking water heater.

You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides.

Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.

You should replace your gas water heater when it’s reached the end of its lifespan, which is a maximum of 12 years in most cases. If your unit is over a decade old and showing signs of inefficiency, leaks, or frequent malfunctions, it may be time to replace your water heater. Research how to best maintain your gas water heater to help extend its lifespan.

If your system is not vented properly, you could experience what’s called backdrafting. Backdrafting is when your ventilation system isn’t working as it should, and instead of releasing gases outside, they get trapped inside your home.

Gas and propane water heaters create a few types of combustion gases, but the most dangerous is carbon monoxide. If there’s too much build-up of these gases inside your home, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

It takes between one and three hours to replace a hot water heater element, depending on whether you hire a pro or do the work yourself. For example, a professional plumber with all the necessary tools and experience can often finish the job in one to two hours, whereas DIY will take two to three hours because it'll involve more preparation and troubleshooting.

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