These guides answer the water heater questions Chicago-area homeowners ask most. They cover the City of Chicago's permit rules, orphaned chimneys after furnace upgrades, why hot water runs short in winter, how to flush a tank, anode rods, tankless versus tank, what to do after a flooded basement, dripping relief valves, condo replacements, and how to tell a water heater's age.
How to use them
Start with the guide that matches your problem. If you are planning a replacement, read the permit guide and the tankless vs. tank guide first. If something is wrong right now, the relief valve and flooded basement guides cover what to do first.
Where the information comes from
Where rules matter, the guides link to official sources such as the Chicago Department of Buildings, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the National Weather Service, and local gas utilities. The practical advice reflects the homes common across Chicago and its suburbs: bungalows, two-flats, greystones, condos, and postwar ranches.
Next steps
Each guide links to the related service pages, such as water heater repair in Chicago and water heater replacement in Chicago, and to the suburb pages in our service area. When a guide's answer is that a professional should look, the phone number is on every page.
Topics by season
Winter brings the most hot water complaints in Chicago, so the winter hot water guide and the orphaned chimney guide are popular from November through March. Summer storms bring the flooded basement questions. Fall is a good time for maintenance, covered in the flushing guide and the anode rod guide.
For condo owners and landlords
Condo owners should start with the condo water heater guide, which covers association rules and protecting the unit below. Landlords of two-flats will find the age guide helpful for planning replacements before a tenant loses hot water.