Home / Water heater repair / Emergency
If you smell gas, leave the house and call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343 or 911 from a safe place (SDG&E, Gas leaks). If the water heater is leaking, turn off its power or gas and close the cold water supply valve (A.O. Smith, What to do when your water heater is leaking). Then a CSLB-licensed plumber can tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement.
VettedHeater is a referral directory, not a licensed contractor. You hire and pay the licensed pro directly. Referral fees: no pro pays VettedHeater today. If a pro ever pays us a referral fee, we will say so next to that listing, and payment will never change which pros we list or their order. See how we make money.
| What you notice | How urgent | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Gas smell | Emergency | Leave, then call SDG&E or 911 from a safe place (SDG&E, Gas leaks). |
| Water streaming or spraying | Emergency | Turn off power or gas and the cold water supply, then call a licensed plumber (A.O. Smith, What to do when your water heater is leaking). |
| Leak from the bottom of the tank | Urgent | Usually means the tank needs replacing (A.O. Smith, What to do when your water heater is leaking). See repair vs replace. |
| Relief valve dripping | Urgent | Don't plug it. Have a qualified person replace it (Whirlpool gas water heater manual). |
| No hot water, no leak | Same day or next day | See common water heater problems. |
| Rumbling or popping | Not urgent | Often sediment. Book a regular repair visit. |
| Tankless unit showing an error code | Depends on the code | Write it down and see tankless water heater repair. |
We checked the websites of all 30 C-36 Plumbing contractors in our San Diego County directory on October 23, 2026, and re-verified their CSLB licenses on October 23, 2026. The 19 pros below explicitly advertise 24/7 emergency, weekend emergency, or same-day service on their own websites. Listings are alphabetical (A–Z); nobody pays to be listed or ranked. Dispatch windows, truck stock, and after-hours fees change by the hour, so call two or three directly to confirm current availability, and check the license yourself on CSLB Check a License before hiring. Read how we verify licenses and how we vet pros.
San Diego, CA 92195
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “24/7 Phone answered, every day” · “Open 24 hours, 7 days a week”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
San Diego, CA 92123
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Call Us 24/7: (619) 268-6299” · “Available 24/7 for plumbing and HVAC emergencies”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Carlsbad, CA 92018
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “24-Hour Emergency Services Available Saturday & Sunday” (Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM)
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
San Diego, CA 92111
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Operation Hours: Mon - Sun: 24 Hours”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Oceanside, CA 92057
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “24/7 Emergency” · “Same-day water heater replacement” · “Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Fallbrook, CA 92028
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Trust Line: Open 24/7” · “Open 24/7 — 365 days”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Vista, CA 92081
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “How soon can you install a water heater? We’ll give you the soonest window we have, often the same day.” (Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM, Sat 7 AM–5 PM)
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
El Cajon, CA 92019
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Whether you need a tankless upgrade, a full replacement, or emergency service, we’re here to help. Call today for a free estimate and same-day availability in most areas.”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Chula Vista, CA 91910
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Same-day appointments are often available — call before 10 AM for the best chance of same-day scheduling.” · “Emergency Plumbing: Priority response” (Mon–Sat 7 AM–10 PM)
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Escondido, CA 92027
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Hours Mon–Fri 9 AM – 5 PM · Sat–Sun · Emergency Only”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Carlsbad, CA 92009
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Hours: Mon - Sat 8am -5pm | Emergency Plumbing”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Chula Vista, CA 91910
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Same-day service available across San Diego County.”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
San Diego, CA 92128
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Same-Day Service Available” · “Yes, we offer same-day installation in most cases… For emergencies, we prioritize your job to restore hot water quickly.”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Lakeside, CA 92040
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “24/7 emergency service available” · “Water Heaters: Emergency replacement / Often same-day appointments”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Alpine, CA 91901
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Emergency Service Available 24/7” · “AVAILABLE 24 HRS”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
San Marcos, CA 92069
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Open 24/7 — Emergency Dispatch” · “Same-day replacements when stock allows”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
El Cajon, CA 92021
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “Our emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
San Diego, CA 92160
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “same-day service, emergency calls answered 24/7”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Escondido, CA 92025
On pro’s site (checked Oct 23, 2026): “We offer same day service on residential and commercial water heaters, Gas or Electric”
CSLB record checked October 23, 2026 · Verify on CSLB · Pro’s site
Browse all 30 CSLB-checked pros by area: City of San Diego, North County, South Bay, East County, or all of San Diego County.
Compare license-checked San Diego pros
See each pro's CSLB license, bond and workers' comp, then call 2 or 3 for written quotes. It is free.
VettedHeater is a referral directory, not a licensed contractor. You hire and pay the licensed pro directly. Referral fees: no pro pays VettedHeater today. If a pro ever pays us a referral fee, we will say so next to that listing, and payment will never change which pros we list or their order. See how we make money.
A leaking valve or fitting can often be repaired. A leaking tank usually means replacement (A.O. Smith, What to do when your water heater is leaking). If the unit is old or the tank itself has failed, read water heater repair vs replacement before you agree to an emergency install.
We don't publish emergency prices, because after-hours and trip fees vary from pro to pro. Ask for the trip fee and any after-hours fee before anyone is sent out. For sourced repair and replacement prices, see our water heater replacement cost guide.
Our before-you-hire checklist has the full list.
The City of San Diego requires a plumbing permit to replace a water heater. Standard tank replacements in single-family homes and duplexes outside historic areas qualify for a Simple No-Plan permit; tankless units don't (City of San Diego, Simple No-Plan Plumbing/Gas Permit). Licensed contractors get the permit as soon as they apply and pay; homeowners normally get theirs within two business days (City of San Diego, Simple No-Plan Plumbing/Gas Permit). Other cities in San Diego County run their own permit offices, so ask your pro.
California law requires every new or replacement water heater to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquakes (Cal. Health & Safety Code 19211). San Diego County's guide calls for two straps, one in the upper third and one in the lower third of the tank, with the lower strap at least 4 inches above the controls (San Diego County PDS-701).
It is if water is streaming or spraying, or if it's near electrical parts. A.O. Smith calls a steady stream or spraying water an emergency, and says a leak from the bottom of the tank usually means it needs to be replaced. Turn off the power or gas and the cold water supply, then call a licensed plumber.
Sometimes, but nobody can promise it. It depends on whether a licensed pro is free and has the right unit in stock. In the City of San Diego, licensed contractors can get a Simple No-Plan permit for a standard tank replacement as soon as they submit and pay online; tankless units need a plan-check permit. Ask about timing when you call.
Yes. A.O. Smith says to switch off the breaker on an electric heater, or turn the gas shut-off valve on a gas heater, then close the cold water shut-off valve at the inlet. If you can't reach that valve, close your home's main water valve.
Yes. The City of San Diego requires a plumbing permit to replace a water heater. A standard tank replacement in a single-family home outside historic areas qualifies for a Simple No-Plan permit; tankless units need a plan permit. California law also requires the new heater to be braced or strapped for earthquakes.
Leave right away. SDG&E says to get to a safe place, then call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343, 24 hours a day, or 911. Don't light anything, and don't flip light switches or use anything that could spark until you're outside. Don't try to relight the water heater.
On October 23, 2026 we checked the websites of all 30 C-36 licensed water heater contractors in our San Diego County directory. Nineteen of those 30 businesses state 24/7 emergency, weekend emergency, or same-day service on their own websites, and we list all 19 on this page in alphabetical order with their CSLB license number, phone number, and the exact statement from their site. Always call the contractor directly to confirm current dispatch availability, after-hours rates, and truck stock.
