Water Heater Installation & Replacement

Hampton Roads’ leader in water heaters.

Gas, electric, or tankless – installed, repaired, and replaced by licensed master plumbers with 155+ years of combined experience. Most jobs finished in a single visit.
★★★★★ 4.9   2,400+ Google reviews  |  Licensed · Bonded · Insured  |  Family-owned since 1968

Free Estimates On Large Jobs

Compare with confidence. We offer the highest quality service at a price you can afford.

Satisfaction Guaranteed Since 1968

Atomic Plumbing is your first call for Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk plumbing needs – residential or commercial.

Financing Available

For unexpected emergencies or repairs that don’t fit into your monthly budget.

What we do

Which water heater is right for you?

Energy source, tank size, upfront cost, and how much hot water you actually use.  ← swipe →

Gas water heaters

High recovery

Natural gas or propane heats water fast with a burner, chimney, and vent shaft – great recovery for busy households. We handle the licensed gas hookup too.

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Electric water heaters

Simple & clean

No gas line, no chimney, no vent shaft – just an electric element inside the tank. Quiet, clean, and simple to service.

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Tankless water heaters

On demand

Endless hot water on demand. Heated as it flows through the unit – no storage tank, smaller footprint, lower monthly bills.

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Repair & replacement

Same day

No hot water, knocking, leaks, or rusty water? We diagnose fast and repair or replace on the same visit whenever possible.

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Anode rod service

Maintenance

The sacrificial rod that stops your tank corroding from the inside. Replacing it on schedule is the cheapest way to add years of life.

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Tank flush & tune-up

Annual

Sediment on the tank bottom is what makes a heater pop, bang, and run inefficiently. An annual flush often fixes it.

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Ask a plumber

Not sure whether to repair or replace?Ask a real plumber.

No chatbots, no scripts. Our master plumbers give you honest advice on whatever’s going on at home – even if it turns out you don’t need us.

Atomic master plumber
Jim, Mike & the Atomic crew
Usually reply within an hour
Hey! Wondering if your water heater is worth repairing? Tell us the age and what it’s doing and we’ll give you a straight answer.
My 12-year-old gas heater is making a popping sound. Repair or replace?
Your question
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Homeowner tip

How long should a water heater last?

Before you call anyone – three gentle steps that un-jam most units in under a minute.

Read the answer →
When to worry

Why is my water heater knocking?

Usually it’s sediment. Here’s how to tell if it’s routine – or worth a same-day visit.

Read the answer →
Save money

Is a tankless heater right for us?

Real numbers on upfront cost, monthly savings, and how long each type actually lasts.

Read the answer →
Why choose Atomic Plumbing & Drain Cleaning

Types of water heaters and how they work.

Atomic Plumbing now runs fourteen trucks, providing plumbing work for the entire Hampton Roads area. We offer a complete line of plumbing services and hire the best-trained, certified technicians. Each of our technicians are journeymen with over 155 years of combined experience.

We have always believed in giving our customers top rate service at a fair price, and we stand behind our work. That’s why each customer is part of Atomic Plumbing’s extended family. Our dedication has earned us the award for Best of Virginia Beach for the past 6 consecutive years.

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Teacher & military discounts available · Financing for jobs over $1,000

Convenient appointment scheduling

Booking that fits your calendar, not ours.

Photo of your pro before arrival

Know who’s coming before they knock.

Licensed, bonded & insured

Peace of mind on every job.

Best of Virginia Beach

Winner for 6 consecutive years.

FUEL TYPES

Electric & gas heated homes.

The right water heater depends on what’s already available in your home. Here’s how gas and electric compare for Hampton Roads households.
🔥

Gas heated homes

Homes with a natural gas or propane line heat water faster and recover more quickly during busy mornings. Gas units need proper venting, so we inspect the chimney and vent shaft before every installation.

  • Faster recovery for large households
  • Lower operating cost in many areas
  • Works during power outages

Electric heated homes

Electric water heaters are simple, quiet, and need no gas line or venting. Ideal for homes without gas service, smaller spaces, or a straightforward install with fewer maintenance requirements.

  • No gas line or chimney needed
  • Quieter operation
  • Lower upfront installation cost
WATER HEATER TOOLKIT

Free tools to help you decide.

Three quick calculators built from what we see on real service calls in Hampton Roads. No email required – just answers.
Results are best estimates based on real service calls in Hampton Roads and are not a substitute for an in-person assessment or firm quote.

Reviews

Always a friendly face at your door.

Family owned and family operated, we’re proud to be recognized as the best plumbing company in Virginia Beach by the neighbors we’ve served for decades.

★★★★★

“Atomic came out within two hours of my call. The plumber was respectful of our home, wore shoe covers, and fixed the gas line perfectly. So relieved.”

Sarah M.

Virginia Beach

★★★★★

“Being family-run really shows – they actually care about the quality. They’ve been our go-to for over 15 years in Chesapeake.”

David L.

Chesapeake

★★★★★

“Mike C. and Hudson replaced my water heater and went above and beyond. Prompt, friendly, professional and knew exactly what they were doing.”

Thom M.

Virginia Beach

★★★★★

“I called Atomic after months of consistent water pressure issues. Mike and Paul showed up and were extremely polite, knowledgeable, clean and friendly. They took time to listen and explained everything.”

Betsy L.

Norfolk

★★★★★

“Sean was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable throughout my appointment. He explained what was needed, gave pricing and warranty options, and replaced the water heater the same day.”

Krista E.

Virginia Beach

★★★★★

“We had an unfortunate sewage backup on a Saturday. The technicians came out in a timely manner and worked hard to get us back up and running, communicating with me really well throughout.”

Carolyn L.

Chesapeake

Virginia Beach Best of 2024
Coastal Virginia Best of 2022
Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves
Angi Super Service Award
BBB Accredited Business
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Water heater questions, answered.

How long does a water heater last?
Standard tank heaters typically last 8–12 years. Tankless units often last 15–20 with regular maintenance. Hard water and skipped anode-rod service shorten lifespan significantly.
What size water heater do I need?
Most Hampton Roads households land on a 40–55 gallon tank. Size follows the number of people and simultaneous showers – the calculator above is a starting point and we confirm on site.
Is a tankless water heater worth it?
If you want endless hot water, a smaller footprint, and lower monthly bills – yes. Upfront cost is higher and gas units may need a vent or line upgrade, so we quote both before you decide.
How much does water heater installation cost?
It depends on fuel type, capacity, and whether venting or gas lines need work. You get an upfront quote before any work begins – never a hidden fee.
Why is my water heater making a popping sound?
Almost always sediment on the tank bottom boiling under the burner. A flush often fixes it; if the tank is old the sediment has usually done lasting damage.
Do you offer same-day replacement?
Often, yes. We stock common tank sizes on fourteen fully loaded trucks and finish most replacements in a single visit.

When you see the blue truck, help has arrived.

Every Atomic truck is a fully stocked workshop on wheels – radio-dispatched, GPS-tracked, and driven by a licensed master plumber. Most repairs finish in a single visit.

55+

Years in Tidewater

24/7

Emergency Dispatch

Book a friendly visit

Let’s get it fixed.

Send a quick request and someone from our office will call you back – usually within 15 minutes.

 Clear communication – we’ll text a 15-min heads-up with your pro’s name.

 Transparent pricing – upfront quotes before any work begins.

 Clean & respectful – shoe covers on, tidy work, wrapped up before we leave.

Prefer to call?

Call today 757.448.3620

Contact Form

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