Water Heater Installation, Replacement & Repair

No hot water this morning? A tank leaking across the floor? Water heater problems always seem to hit at the worst time — and when they do, you want a plumber who shows up fast and fixes it right. Finish Plumbing installs, replaces, and repairs tank and tankless water heaters for homes and businesses throughout Loveland and Northern Colorado, backed by quality workmanship and honest, upfront pricing.

From a routine replacement to an emergency leak, our licensed plumbers — led by a master plumber — handle every type and brand of water heater, and we will always give you a straight recommendation on whether to repair or replace.

Leaking tank or no hot water? Call (970) 581-0643 for fast water heater service across Loveland and Northern Colorado.

CALL (970) 581-0643

Our Water Heater Services

Whatever is going on with your hot water, we can help:

  • Water heater installation and replacement — tank and tankless
  • Water heater repair — leaks, no hot water, pilot and ignition problems, and more
  • Tankless water heater installation and conversions
  • Bradford White, Navien, and Rinnai sales and installation
  • Anode rod replacement and tank flushing
  • Hot water recirculation systems for near-instant hot water
  • Gas and electric water heaters
  • Commercial and residential water heaters
  • 24/7 emergency water heater service

Quality Installs at a Competitive, Flat-Rate Price

We built our reputation on doing water heater installations the right way — correctly sized, installed to code, and built to last — not on cutting corners. And we price every install as a flat rate, so you know the full, competitive cost before we start. No hourly meter running, no surprise add-ons when the job is finished — just a quality installation at a fair price you approve up front.

Bradford White Water Heaters: Built in America, Trusted by Plumbers

For tank water heaters, we install Bradford White — one of the most respected names in the trade. Here is why professional plumbers choose them:

  • Made in America. Bradford White has manufactured in the U.S. since 1881, with its water heaters built in Michigan.
  • Sold only through the trade. You will not find Bradford White on a big-box shelf — they are available exclusively through professional plumbing contractors, which means tighter quality control and a unit engineered for the long haul rather than the lowest price point.
  • Built to last. Features like their Vitraglas tank lining and Hydrojet sediment-reduction system help the tank resist corrosion and run efficiently year after year.

A quality tank is only half the story, though. How long any water heater lasts comes down to one component most homeowners never think about — the anode rod.

Two atmospheric vent gas water heaters with metal B-vent flues installed by Finish Plumbing

The Anode Rod: The Single Most Important Part for Tank Life

Inside every tank water heater is a sacrificial anode rod. Its only job is to corrode in place of your steel tank — a process called cathodic protection. Internal corrosion is the number one reason water heaters fail, and once that rod is used up, the tank itself begins to rust from the inside out.

Replacing the anode rod before it is fully depleted is the single most effective thing you can do to extend the life of a tank water heater — cheap insurance against an expensive replacement. How quickly the rod wears out depends on your water: hard water and water softeners both speed it up. We recommend having the rod inspected every few years and replaced when needed (often every 3 to 5 years in our area), and we handle it as part of routine water heater maintenance, along with flushing sediment from the tank.

Tankless Water Heaters: Navien and Rinnai

A tankless (on-demand) water heater heats water only as you use it, so there is no tank of water to keep hot around the clock. For the right home, that means endless hot water, lower standby energy loss, a longer service life (often 20 years or more), and a compact unit that frees up floor space.

Tankless is not automatically the right choice for every home — for many families, a quality tank is the better value, and we will tell you honestly which one fits your needs and budget. But when tankless is the right call, we install the two brands we trust most:

  • Rinnai — a long, proven track record in North American homes, known for reliability and wide parts availability, so service stays straightforward for years to come.
  • Navien — high-efficiency condensing technology, with models that include a built-in recirculation pump for fast hot water.

Both are among the most respected tankless brands for reliability, serviceability, and lifespan — and both offer models designed to deliver hot water almost instantly, which brings us to recirculation.

Finish Plumbing technician installing a Navien tankless water heater in Northern Colorado Rinnai tankless water heater installed by Finish Plumbing in Northern Colorado

Instant Hot Water: Recirculation Systems

Tired of standing at the sink waiting for the water to warm up? A hot water recirculation system keeps hot water moving through your pipes so it arrives at the tap almost immediately — no more running the faucet (and your water bill) while you wait. The average household wastes thousands of gallons a year just waiting for hot water, and a recirculation system cuts most of that waste.

On a tank system, we can add a dedicated recirculation line and pump. And because many tankless models from Navien and Rinnai include a built-in or on-demand recirculation pump, you can get near-instant hot water and avoid the “cold water sandwich” — that brief slug of cold water a tankless unit can send through when hot water restarts. We set it up to run on demand or on a smart schedule, so you get the convenience without wasting energy.

Combi Units: Hot Water and Home Heating in One

Some of the same high-efficiency technology behind tankless water heaters can also heat your home. A combi (combination) unit is a single condensing appliance that provides both your domestic hot water and your home’s heating — Navien and Rinnai both make them. When you turn on a hot tap, the unit prioritizes your hot water; the rest of the time, it feeds your heating system. It is compact, efficient, and avoids the cost and space of two separate appliances.

If your home is heated with hot water — a boiler, baseboard, or in-floor radiant — a combi unit is worth a look, which brings us to the other side of what we do.

We Also Service Boilers and Radiant Heat

Beyond water heaters, Finish Plumbing installs, repairs, and maintains boilers and radiant (in-floor) heating systems throughout Northern Colorado, including high-efficiency combi units. See our boiler & radiant heat services, or ask us about your system when you call.

Water Heater Repair

Not every problem means a full replacement. Our plumbers quickly diagnose and repair water heater issues, including:

  • No hot water, or not enough hot water
  • A leaking tank, valve, or connection
  • Water that runs out too quickly or takes too long to heat
  • Pilot light or ignition problems on gas units
  • Rusty, cloudy, or rotten-egg-smelling hot water
  • Popping, rumbling, or banging noises from sediment
  • Failed thermostats, heating elements, gas valves, or anode rods

We will tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or whether replacement is the smarter long-term investment.

Signs It Is Time to Replace Your Water Heater

  • The unit is more than 8 to 12 years old
  • Water is pooling around the base of the tank
  • Rusty or discolored hot water
  • Rumbling or popping noises from sediment buildup
  • You are running out of hot water faster than you used to
  • Rising energy bills with no other explanation
  • Frequent or costly repairs on an aging unit

If you are seeing any of these — especially any sign of leaking — call us for an honest assessment before a small problem becomes a flooded floor.

Types of Water Heaters We Install

The right water heater depends on your fuel type, how it vents, and how much hot water you need. We install and service them all — here are the types we put in most often, with examples of our own work.

Standard (Atmospheric Vent) Water Heaters

The most common gas water heater. It vents naturally, drawing combustion air from the room and sending exhaust up through a metal flue or chimney — simple, proven, and economical where you already have a vertical vent.

Bradford White residential gas water heater installed by Finish Plumbing in Loveland, Colorado

Power Vent Water Heaters

A built-in blower on top of the tank pushes exhaust out horizontally through PVC pipe, so the unit can vent through a side wall instead of up a chimney. Ideal for interior closets, finished basements, and homes without a usable vertical flue.

Bradford White power vent water heater with top-mounted blower installed by Finish Plumbing

Power Direct Vent, High-Efficiency & Commercial

Sealed-combustion units pull fresh air from outside and vent through PVC, which makes them safe to tuck into tight mechanical rooms and among the most efficient tanks you can buy. We also install high-recovery commercial units for businesses, restaurants, and multi-unit buildings.

High-efficiency Bradford White water heaters with PVC power direct venting installed by Finish Plumbing

Electric Water Heaters

Simple, reliable, and a great fit for homes without a gas line or for new construction. There is no venting required — just power and water.

GE electric water heater installed in a new Northern Colorado home by Finish Plumbing

Indirect Water Heaters

An indirect tank has no burner of its own — it uses your boiler to heat your domestic hot water and stores it for strong, steady flow. If you heat with a boiler or radiant, it is one of the most efficient ways to make hot water. See our boiler & radiant heat services.

Triangle Tube indirect water heater installed with a boiler by Finish Plumbing in Loveland, Colorado

We also install tankless water heaters (Navien and Rinnai, covered above), high-efficiency hybrid heat-pump models that can qualify for Colorado utility rebates, and compact point-of-use heaters for a remote bathroom, shop, or addition. Not sure which is right for your home? We will walk you through it and give you an honest recommendation.

24/7 Emergency Water Heater Service

A burst tank or sudden loss of hot water does not wait for business hours, and neither do we. We offer 24/7 emergency water heater service across Loveland and Northern Colorado. If your tank is leaking, shut off the water supply to the unit if you safely can, and call us right away at (970) 581-0643.

Why Choose Finish Plumbing

  • Quality installs, flat-rate pricing — a competitive, all-in price you approve before we start.
  • Top brands — Bradford White tanks, and Navien and Rinnai tankless.
  • Licensed and insured — every job done right and to code, led by a master plumber.
  • Family-owned and local — we live and work right here in Northern Colorado.
  • 24/7 emergency service — because water heater failures do not keep a schedule.

Water Heater Service Across Northern Colorado

We install, replace, and repair water heaters in Loveland and throughout the region, including Fort Collins, Windsor, Berthoud, Johnstown, and Longmont. Wherever you are in Northern Colorado, dependable hot water is just a call away.

Ready for Reliable Hot Water?

Whether it is an emergency replacement, a planned upgrade to tankless, or a repair to get more life out of your current unit, Finish Plumbing is here to help. Call (970) 581-0643 or schedule your service online today.

CALL (970) 581-0643

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of water heater do you install?

For tanks, we install Bradford White — an American-made, professional-grade brand trusted throughout the trade for its quality and durability. For tankless, we install Navien and Rinnai, two of the most respected names for reliability, serviceability, and long service life.

How much does it cost to replace a water heater?

It depends on the type and size of the unit, the fuel source, and whether your installation needs any gas, venting, electrical, or code updates. We quote every install as a flat rate up front, so you will know the full, competitive price before any work begins — no surprises.

How long does a water heater last?

A well-maintained tank water heater typically lasts 8 to 12 years, and tankless units often last 20 years or more. The biggest factor in a tank’s lifespan is the anode rod — keeping it in good shape, along with flushing the tank, can add years to the unit.

What is an anode rod, and why does it matter?

It is a sacrificial metal rod inside the tank that corrodes in place of the steel, protecting it from rust. Since internal corrosion is the leading cause of water heater failure, replacing the rod before it wears out is the single best way to extend the life of your tank.

Should I repair or replace my water heater?

If the unit is under about 8 years old and the problem is minor, a repair often makes sense. If it is older, leaking, or needs frequent repairs, replacement is usually the smarter investment. We will give you an honest recommendation for your situation.

Is a tankless water heater worth it?

For many homes, yes — especially larger households that run out of hot water, or anyone who wants lower energy use and a longer-lasting unit. But tankless is not right for everyone; sometimes a quality tank is the better value. We will help you weigh it honestly.

Can I get instant hot water?

Yes. A hot water recirculation system keeps hot water at the ready in your pipes, so it reaches the tap almost immediately and wastes far less water. Many Navien and Rinnai tankless models include a built-in recirculation pump for the same result.

What is a combi unit?

A combi (combination) unit is a single high-efficiency appliance that provides both your domestic hot water and your home’s heating. If you heat with a boiler or in-floor radiant, it can do both jobs from one compact unit — ask us whether it is a good fit for your home.

Do you install gas and electric water heaters?

Yes — we install, replace, and repair gas, electric, and tankless water heaters, and we will help you choose the best fit for your home and budget.

Do you offer emergency water heater service?

Yes. A leaking tank or sudden loss of hot water cannot always wait, so we offer 24/7 emergency service for water heater problems. Call (970) 581-0643 any time.