El Cajon water heaters most often fail at a single part, such as an element, thermocouple, igniter or relief valve, or slow down because sediment has built up in the tank. Those are usually repairable; a tank that leaks through its wall is not. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in El Cajon.
How hard is El Cajon water on a heater?
That depends on your water agency. The City of El Cajon lists two: Helix Water District and Padre Dam Municipal Water District, with the provider varying by address. Helix, which names El Cajon among the cities it serves, reports that water from its treatment plant averages about 12 grains per gallon, or 206 mg/L as calcium carbonate. That is hard water. Over time it settles as sediment in tank heaters and coats electric elements, which makes them run hotter and fail sooner. Padre Dam's hardness was not something we could confirm, so Padre Dam customers should look at that district's water quality report. Helix also disinfects with chloramines, which can wear rubber seals in valves over the years.
My house is from the 1970s. Is the heater worth fixing?
Census-based figures put the median El Cajon home at about 1974, so the original heater is long gone in most houses. What matters is the age and condition of the one you have now. A dry tank with one failed part is usually a good repair. A tank with rust at the top connections, a wet base or a string of recent repairs is a better candidate for replacement. In older homes, the shutoff valve, supply connectors and gas flex line may also be due for replacement while the water is off, and a plumber may point out venting that no longer meets current code.
Do I need a permit, and who do I call about gas?
El Cajon's Building Safety Division handles permits; the city pages we reviewed do not spell out rules for water heater work, so if a repair becomes a replacement, the plumber can confirm requirements with the division at 619-441-1726. For gas, the city lists SDG&E as its gas and electric utility. If you smell gas near the heater, leave the house first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from a safe spot. SDG&E also says customers are responsible for the gas lines on their side of the meter, which includes the line running to the water heater.
A local note
El Cajon sits in an inland valley where winter nights run colder than at the coast. Colder incoming water makes a weak heater more obvious, so the first cool weeks of the season are when many marginal heaters finally give out.
Water Heater Repair questions in El Cajon
Which water agency serves my home, and why does it matter for my heater?
Is it worth repairing a water heater that is 10 or more years old?
Why does the pilot on a gas water heater keep going out?
How often should a tank water heater be drained and flushed?
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