A gas water heater replacement in a Durham home is a same-day job when the gas supply, venting, and permit situation are straightforward. Most standard 40 to 50 gallon gas replacements run two to three hours including removal, haul-away, and inspection verification. Drain Express pulls the permit, installs a correctly sized expansion tank, and tests the unit before leaving.
What a Gas Replacement Involves
Unit sizing. Most Durham and Chapel Hill homes with two to four occupants use a 40 or 50 gallon tank. Larger households or homes with two simultaneous high-demand users (teenage kids, large soaking tubs) should consider a 50 or 75 gallon unit or a tankless conversion. We verify the correct size for your household before ordering the replacement unit.
Gas supply. A new gas water heater should be connected to correctly sized gas supply with a new flexible connector and properly sized shutoff valve. We inspect the existing supply and note any deficiencies before installing the new unit.
Venting. Gas water heaters require a B-vent (double-wall metal) flue running to the exterior. We inspect the existing vent for proper diameter, rise per foot of run, and termination clearance. A correctly installed vent on the old unit typically works for the new unit of the same size.
Expansion tank. All closed plumbing systems in North Carolina require a correctly sized thermal expansion tank on the cold water supply. We install one on every replacement.
Permit and inspection. Durham and Chapel Hill both require a mechanical permit for water heater replacements. We submit the permit application and coordinate the final inspection.
What We Install
Bradford White and A.O. Smith Proline are our primary residential gas water heater brands. Both are manufactured in the United States, carry 6-year tank and parts warranties on residential models, and have strong regional parts availability. First-hour recovery rates and energy factors are comparable across both brands at equivalent sizes.
Cost
A standard 40 to 50 gallon gas water heater replacement in a Durham home — including the unit, expansion tank, new flexible connector, permit, and haul-away — typically runs $1,000 to $1,400. Additional costs apply if gas supply work, vent correction, or other code items are needed. Written estimate before work begins. See Water Heater Replacement Cost.
Thinking About Tankless?
If the existing gas water heater has reached end of life, replacement is also the right time to evaluate a tankless conversion. A tankless unit costs more upfront but lasts significantly longer and costs less to operate. See Tankless Water Heater Installation.
Related Services
- Electric Water Heater Replacement
- Replacement Cost Reference
- NC Code and Permits
- Water Heater Replacement Overview