Open: 24 hours
3580 Polaris Ave #17, Las Vegas, NV 89103
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Water Heater Code Upgrade in Las Vegas, NV
Older or “builder-basic” water heater installs often don’t meet today’s code or best practices. Missing expansion tanks, drain pans, proper drains, or correct venting can lead to water damage, safety issues, and failed inspections. Active Plumbing provides water heater code upgrades in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, and nearby communities—fixing expansion, pan, drain, and venting issues on gas and electric water heaters.
✓ Keep existing heater when possible: Upgrade the installation, not always the heater itself.
✓ Licensed local pros: Trusted for water heater code upgrades in the Las Vegas valley.
✓ Targeted upgrades: Expansion tanks, pans, drains, vent corrections, and T&P discharge fixes.
✓ Inspection & safety focused: Ideal when a home inspector, city, or insurance flags your water heater.
✓ Licensed local pros
✓ Targeted upgrades
✓ Inspection & safety focused
✓ Keep existing heater when possible
What our Clients think about us
Your satisfaction is our priority.
What Is a Water Heater Code Upgrade?
A water heater code upgrade addresses the installation around the heater, not just the heater itself. Common items include:
Adding or replacing a thermal expansion tank where required
Adding or replacing a drain pan under the heater in elevated or interior locations
Providing or improving a drain line from the pan (where feasible)
Correcting T&P relief discharge piping to terminate safely and appropriately
Correcting or improving venting on gas water heaters (material, slope, clearances, termination)
Adding or adjusting strapping, supports, and clearances
The goal is to make the installation safer, more compliant, and more acceptable to inspectors and insurers.
Why Choose Active Plumbing
Inspection-report friendly: We use your inspection or correction notice as a checklist, then verify what’s actually needed.
Safety-first mindset: We prioritize relief valves, venting, expansion, pans, and drains that protect people and property.
Keep the heater when practical: When the unit itself is sound, we focus on correcting installation issues, not pushing unnecessary replacement.
Local code aware: We work in Las Vegas-area jurisdictions every day and know the common water heater issues that get flagged.
Neat, professional work: Clean piping, properly supported, with clear shutoffs and labeling where appropriate.
Licensed & insured: Nevada License #0047021, trusted for water heater code corrections across the valley.
Immediate Actions (What to Do Now)
Gather any inspection reports, red tags, or notes that mention your water heater (expansion tank, pan, drain, venting, etc.).
Take photos of your water heater from a few angles, clearly showing top piping, venting (for gas), base, pan (if any), and nearby drain or lack of one.
Note whether your home has pressure-regulating valves, backflow devices, or very high static water pressure, if known.
Look for obvious signs of trouble: corroded flue, no T&P discharge piping, rusted pan, or no pan where one should be.
Call Active Plumbing at (702) 438-3357 and request water heater code upgrades (expansion tank, pan, drain, venting)—and let us know if you’re on a deadline for re-inspection or closing.
Common Water Heater Code / Safety Issues We See
No expansion tank on a system with a PRV or backflow device
Missing or undersized pan under water heaters in garages, closets, or interior spaces
No pan drain (or a pan that just sits, unable to drain)
Improper T&P relief discharge (no pipe, wrong pipe type, wrong termination)
Rusty, single-wall, or back-pitched flue on gas water heaters
Insufficient combustion air or vent clearances
Water heaters unstrapped or poorly strapped in seismic areas
Improvised or handyman piping that doesn’t meet current standards
If your water heater was installed “a long time ago” or by a non-pro, there’s a good chance some of these apply.
Call, Report Review & Scheduling
You call (702) 438-3357, explain what was flagged (expansion tank, pan, drain, venting, etc.), and share any inspection report or notes. We schedule a visit based on urgency—especially if you have a pending re-inspection or closing.
On-Site Evaluation & Code Check
Your plumber inspects the water heater, piping, venting, pan/drain arrangement, T&P discharge, strapping, and surrounding area, comparing what’s there with current safety and code expectations and your report.
Upgrade Plan & Upfront Pricing
We group needed corrections into a clear upgrade plan—expansion, pan, drain, venting, T&P discharge, strapping, etc.—and provide upfront pricing for each component or package so you can see exactly what’s being corrected.
Expansion, Pan, Drain & Venting Corrections
With your approval, we perform the upgrades: installing expansion tank(s) where appropriate, adding/adjusting drain pan and pan drain (when feasible), correcting T&P discharge piping, and repairing or replacing vent sections for gas heaters as needed.
Testing & Final Verification
We restore normal operation, then check for leaks, proper vent draft (for gas), and correct operation of the water heater. We visually re-verify each corrected item and confirm it matches the planned code upgrade scope.
Documentation & Re-Inspection Support
We provide documentation of the upgrades performed and, where needed, can reference specific inspection items addressed. If requested, we can help explain corrections to buyers, sellers, property managers, or inspectors.
Water Heater Code Upgrade Active Plumbing fix now
Scope varies by property, but a typical water heater code upgrade may include:
Inspection of the existing water heater installation, including expansion, pan, drain, venting, and T&P discharge
Installation or replacement of a thermal expansion tank, properly supported and set
Installation or replacement of a water heater drain pan, and pan drain piping where feasible
Correction or replacement of T&P relief discharge piping to terminate in an approved manner
Venting corrections on gas water heaters, including material, slope, and termination adjustments within agreed scope
Simple, written summary of upgrades completed and any remaining recommendations (such as future replacement timing for an aging heater)
Costs & Timelines (What to Expect)
Many water heater code upgrade projects are completed in a single visit, depending on how many items need correction.
You receive clear, upfront pricing once we’ve inspected the installation and confirmed what’s truly required for expansion, pan, drain, venting, and strapping.
Main cost factors: presence/absence of expansion tank, complexity of pan and drain routing, difficulty of vent access, heater location (garage, closet, attic), and any existing damage or corrosion that must be addressed.
We can often prioritize life-safety items first if you need a phased approach, and still give you a full picture of recommended upgrades.
Insurance & Claims Help
Water heaters and their code-related accessories are often involved in water damage claims and inspections:
If your water heater leaked and caused damage, we can document the condition of the pan, drain, T&P discharge, expansion, and venting at time of service and what was upgraded.
When an insurer or inspector requires code corrections as a condition of coverage or closing, our invoices and notes show that the work was done by a licensed plumber.
For properties being bought or sold, we can reference specific inspection report items so both sides know what’s been corrected.
(Coverage, compliance, and claim decisions are always up to your insurer, inspector, or jurisdiction; this is not financial or legal advice.)
Risks of Waiting (Why Act Now)
Water damage from leaks: No pan or pan drain means a leak goes straight to floors, walls, or stored items.
Pressure-related stress: Without a needed expansion tank, systems can see excess pressure swings, stressing valves and fixtures.
Safety hazards: Improper T&P discharge or venting can pose real safety risks if something goes wrong.
Failed inspections and delayed closings: Uncorrected issues can hold up a sale, refinance, or rental approval.
Higher liability: Selling or renting with a known, uncorrected hazard can create future dispute or liability risk.
Water heater code upgrades aren’t just about “passing inspection”—they’re about protecting your home, investment, and safety.
Methods, Materials & Quality Standards
Current-code mindset: We work to current local standards, not just “how it used to be done.”
Quality expansion and pan components: We use reliable expansion tanks, pans, drains, and supports intended for long-term use.
Proper vent materials and pitch: For gas heaters, we use approved venting, properly supported and pitched.
Secure strapping and supports: Heaters, expansion tanks, and piping are secured to resist movement and maintain safety.
Clear explanations: We walk you through what was corrected, why it mattered, and what to watch for in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to replace my whole water heater to fix code issues?
Not always. Many times we can keep the existing heater and just upgrade expansion, pan, drain, venting, and T&P discharge—as long as the heater itself is in reasonable condition.
How do I know if I need an expansion tank?
If your system has a pressure-reducing valve or backflow device, or your inspector noted thermal expansion concerns, you likely need one. We’ll confirm on site.
Can you just add a pan and drain under my current heater?
Often yes, but it depends on clearance, elevation, and where the drain can run. We’ll evaluate and propose practical options.
My vent looks old and rusty—is that a code issue?
It can be. We’ll inspect the venting for material, slope, corrosion, and clearances and explain whether it needs correction.
Will these upgrades help with insurance or inspection problems?
They often do. We’ll provide clear documentation of the code/safety upgrades performed for your records.
Do you offer water heater code upgrades near me in Las Vegas?
If you’re in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, or nearby communities, yes—Active Plumbing provides water heater code upgrades, including expansion tank, pan, drain, and venting corrections.
More Active Plumbing Water Heater Services
Proudly Serving All of Las Vegas
Address: 3580 Polaris Ave #17, Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: (702) 438-3357
Hours: Open 24 hours
Email: service@activeplumbinginc.com
Active Plumbing is Las Vegas–based and available 24/7 for residential and commercial plumbing across Southern Nevada. We handle emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, slab leaks, water heater repair and installation (including tankless), water softeners and filtration systems, leak detection, gas line installation, and full bathroom and kitchen plumbing upgrades—fast, professional, and backed by strong warranties.
Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Sunrise Manor, Boulder City, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
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Hours: Open 24 hours
3580 Polaris Ave #17, Las Vegas, NV 89103