Water Heater Replacement in Sellwood, Portland
Real job. Real photos. Rheem Performance electric water heater installed in a Sellwood garage — including expansion tank, new connections, and full system testing.
The Project
When this Sellwood homeowner noticed their aging electric water heater was running out of years — not failed yet, but close — they called True Flow Plumbing to get ahead of it. Smart move. Proactive replacements are always less stressful and less expensive than emergency calls at 9pm with water on the garage floor.
Our licensed plumber removed the existing Rheem Performance Platinum (the older unit), installed a brand-new Rheem Performance electric water heater, added a properly sized thermal expansion tank, upgraded the flexible supply connectors to red/blue braided lines, and verified the electrical connections before doing a full leak and pressure check. The job was done start to finish in a single visit.
Before & After
Existing electric water heater nearing end of service life. Note the older-style connections and no expansion tank.
New Rheem Performance installed with braided red/blue supply lines, thermal expansion tank, and updated plumbing connections.
Wide View — Full Install
Full garage view showing the completed installation. New unit is level, properly connected, and job site was cleaned up before we left.
Signs Your Water Heater May Need Replacing
Water heaters don't always go out dramatically. Most give subtle signals first. If you're seeing any of these, it's worth getting an assessment before it becomes an emergency:
- Rust-colored or discolored hot water
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Inconsistent water temperature — hot one day, lukewarm the next
- Popping, rumbling, or banging sounds when the tank heats up
- You're running out of hot water faster than you used to
- Higher energy bills without an obvious explanation
- Tank is 10–15 years old or older
Replacing before failure avoids water damage, emergency service rates, and the headache of cold showers while you wait for parts.
What Our Installation Includes
Every water heater replacement we do is the same — complete, code-compliant, and cleaned up when we leave.
- Full removal and disposal of the old water heater
- Installation of new electric water heater (Rheem or equivalent)
- New flexible braided supply connectors (hot and cold)
- Thermal expansion tank installation where required by code
- Electrical reconnection and verification
- Pressure and leak test before we call it done
- System startup — we confirm hot water is flowing before we leave
- Job site cleanup
If your home has a pressure reducing valve (PRV) — which most Portland homes do — Oregon code requires a thermal expansion tank on your water heater. The old installation in this Sellwood home didn't have one. We installed it as part of this job at no surprise charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a water heater replacement take?
Most residential electric replacements take 2–3 hours from start to finish — drain and remove the old unit, install the new one with updated connections and expansion tank, test everything. We're usually in and out in a single visit.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Portland?
In most cases, yes. The City of Portland requires a permit for water heater replacements. We handle the permitting process for you so you don't have to track it down yourself.
What is a thermal expansion tank and do I need one?
A thermal expansion tank absorbs the pressure that builds up as water heats and expands in a closed plumbing system. If your home has a PRV, you almost certainly need one. We check every install and include it when required.
What brands do you install?
We primarily install Rheem — solid reliability, good warranty, widely available. We can also work with Bradford White or A.O. Smith depending on your situation and what's available.
How do I know when to repair vs. replace?
If the tank is over 10–12 years old, leaking at the base, rusting through, or has needed multiple repairs recently — replacement is usually the smarter call. We'll give you an honest assessment and won't push a replacement if it's not warranted.
Do you haul away the old unit?
Yes, always. We remove and dispose of the old water heater. We leave the space the way we found it.
Neighborhoods We Serve in SE Portland
This job was in Sellwood, but we cover the full Portland metro — including all of Southeast Portland:
Don't see your neighborhood? Call us — we probably cover it.
Need a Water Heater Replaced?
Electric or gas, tank or tankless — we'll come out, assess what you've got, and give you straight pricing. No pressure, no upsell.