Texas Water Heater Safety & Support

Whether you have a traditional tank or a tankless water heater—gas or electric—your water heater setup may require specific components to meet Texas State plumbing code and ensure long-term performance and safety. At Lone Star Plumbing Works, we help you understand what’s needed, why it matters, and how to keep your system running right. We’re your trusted source for water heater support in Austin, TX, and across Central Texas.

If you have a closed plumbing system and a tank-style water heater, a thermal expansion tank is often required by code. It provides a cushion for expanding water as it heats, reducing pressure buildup and protecting your water heater, valves, and fixtures from damage. This is a common upgrade we recommend for many water heater installations in Austin homes.

A vacuum breaker is an anti-siphon device installed on the cold water inlet at the top of the water heater, designed to protect the tank from potential implosion. While water heaters are built to handle pressure, they’re not made to withstand a vacuum. If the system is drained—especially in homes where the water heater is installed on an elevated floor—a vacuum condition could occur. The vacuum breaker prevents this by allowing air into the system when needed, helping maintain the structural integrity of your tank and supporting code-compliant water heater installations in Central Texas.

For added protection, we recommend leak detection devices that shut off water automatically when a leak is detected near your water heater. These smart additions help prevent water damage and give peace of mind—especially for homeowners who travel frequently or have water heaters in interior spaces. Ask us about automatic shut-off valves for water heaters in Austin.

Code requires that tank-style heaters—especially those installed inside the home or in attics—have a drain pan and correctly routed discharge line to prevent damage in case of leaks or overflows. This is a standard part of any professional water heater service in Austin, TX.

Tankless water heaters must meet certain clearance, venting, and drain requirements depending on the fuel source. Gas models also require gas sizing checks, shut-off valves, and proper condensate drainage. If you’re planning a tankless water heater upgrade in Austin, we’ll ensure everything is safe and code-compliant.

Whether we’re installing a new water heater or inspecting an existing setup, we’ll walk you through what components are required, what’s recommended, and what’s already working well. We follow Texas State plumbing code to the letter—because safety and compliance aren’t optional.

Want to know if your water heater is up to code? Let’s take a look.

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Your go-to for water heater compliance, safety, repair, and installation in Austin, TX.