When it’s the middle of winter in Billerica, Massachusetts, it’s cold. Really cold. Such cold weather puts a strain on your water heater trying to warm up the frigid water coming from the street. Older water heaters may not be able to keep up, and that’s exactly why this customer called MillTown Plumbing. As a family, they relied on having hot water regularly, but also efficiently. The solution for that was a water heater replacement in their Billerica, MA home. 

Water Heater Inspection

As mentioned above, this family’s water heater wasn’t necessarily broken. However, it wasn’t working as efficiently as they needed it to. Older water heaters have a more difficult time producing hot water as efficiently and effectively for modern standards. So, this Billerica family decided it was time to replace.

Symptoms of a Failing Water Heater

Water heaters typically last for 10 years or longer. If your water heater is on its way out, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Water leaks
• Not enough hot water
• Discolored water
• Strange sounds
• Low water pressure

Benefits of a Water Heater Replacement

After installing a replacement water heater, here are some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy!

• Reliable hot water for the foreseeable future
• More hot water
• Quieter operation
• Lower energy consumption

Water Heater Replacement Process in Billerica, MA

After arriving in Billerica with the proper equipment, MillTown’s qualified plumbers were ready to start the replacement process. 

Old Water Heater Removal

Before removing anything, MillTown’s licensed plumbers turned off the water to the home. They followed this up by draining the water from the water heater tank and connecting plumbing. 

The cold water supply pipe was shut off via a valve above the hot water heater. The old water was drained into the yard from the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. 

Electricity had to be shut off as well, and this water heater’s power supply was turned off via the home’s electrical panel. To disconnect the wiring to the furnace, the wiring had to be cut. Prior to doing so, a test light voltage detector was used to ensure there was no more current running through the wiring.

Preparing the Space for the Replacement Water Heater

The old valve controlling the cold water supply was not operating exactly as MillTown’s plumbers would have liked. This valve was updated and replaced with a new valve for better future operation.

To make service easier in the future, MillTown’s licensed electrician installed a switch to power the water heater on and off.

New Water Heater Installation

Once the replacement water heater was put into place, the plumbers were ready to start connecting the existing plumbing. Teflon tape and thread sealing paste was used on the threads that connected the home’s plumbing to the water heater.

To connect the old plumbing, new copper piping was cut to length. Ninety-degree brass fittings allowed the offset joints to be connected. 

Once the plumbing and electrical wiring had been connected, a pipe for the pressure relief valve was routed. It was run towards the floor, no higher than 12” off the ground per code. 

After the pressure relief valve was plumbed, the water to the house was turned back on. The cold water supply valve was slowly opened and the pressure relief valve was left open. Once water began coming out of the pressure relief valve, the water heater tank was full.

Final Steps

After the tank had been filled, the faucets were purged of any air that may have gotten trapped inside the plumbing during the replacement process.

To make sure that the water heater was receiving power, the heating units on the side of the tank were checked for power. This was done using the same test light to check for live wires after turning off the water heater in the beginning. 

Billerica Water Heater Replacement Contractor

Here at MillTown, we provide cost-effective, permanent solutions to keep your home in tip-top shape. We commit to your satisfaction and offer high-quality, same-day service. Our technicians are clean, courteous, and respectful of your home. It is why Massachusetts and New Hampshire homeowners have trusted us for over 35 years. Contact us today if you are a local Billerica homeowner interested in water heater replacement, repair, or maintenance!

Water Heater Replacement Reviews

Milltown Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Drain Cleaning & Electrical

4.7

Based on 1146 reviews

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Samuel Broadwater

19:05 02 Aug 23

I cannot recommend Milltown based on their practices and up charged quote they gave me. To even get a quote, they charge you $85 to come out and evaluate what needs to be done. I needed a hybrid water heater replacement, installation, and piping that had to be brought up to code.Of the 12 contractors who quoted the job, Milltown was the highest by far at $6,991, which is about double the average ($3,400) and $1900 over my second highest quote. This outrageously inflated price included the $750 state rebate for a water heater priced at $1,349. The $6,392 remaining is for the rest of the associated parts and labor.As for the $85 evaluation fee, it completely feels like a scam. If you choose their inflated service, they put the $85 fee towards the service cost but if not, you’re left with that bill. To me this feels as if they are preying on the “sunk cost fallacy” so you don’t waste your $85. Either way, they get a profit; it’s a win-win situation for them. There is no way I can recommend them. There are cheaper options in the area for the same work. Please be diligent and learn from my mistakes. Don’t get a quote from them. Don’t hire their services. I hope this will save you the headache.

Patricia Sawyer

18:40 27 Jul 23

I had a badly blocked shower drain. Called Milltown in the morning, and the call was handled in a friendly and professional manner. The call-back to schedule a next-day appointment was also quick, pleasant, and courteous. A subsequent call informing me that my appointment could be squeezed in same day was most welcome, and when the plumber arrived, she quickly and efficiently resolved the issue. Everyone was very pleasant to interact with. Thanks!

Leigh Gerow

19:51 24 Jul 23

Kenny P. Is a top notch plumber! He arrived on time and was incredibly professional. Our situation was quite unique and he was very patient with our problem. Kenny is an incredible representative of Milltown. He would not give up until he solved our issue- all the while working with a smile and great demeanor. Booties on his shoes, left the sink and area cleaner than it was when he arrived. We are SO greatful to him and will be telling everyone to call Milltown! A++++++ for Kenny !!!!!!!

Michael Gailliard

16:09 23 Jul 23

The Gentleman Ralph who came to my home and installed the toilet did a Great job! He was very knowledgeable of what needed to be done , and performed the installation efficiently and with superior professionalism. During and after the job was completed Ralph kept me informed of the services of Milltown. No pun intended I was truly " relieved " after completion of the installation.

Alison Siccone

22:29 19 Jul 23

I've used Miltown several times now. Each technician has been extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They've resolved every issue in a timely manner. Scheduling an appointment is very easy and the answering service is very helpful in getting this accomplished. Highly recommend!!

Feleshia Walters

14:13 19 Jul 23

I got a toilet replacement and the charged me almost 3,000. I won't them to anyone. They're way to expensive and come to find out its still leaking. Like seriously, if your going to charge the most do the job correctly without any mistakes!!!!!!!!! I won't recommend them to anyone. Call a local plumber would be the better option. On top of that they charged me 2,000 for traveling fees, like your located in Chelmsford - Lowell. I couldn't gave you 40 bucks for gas. They pretty much robbed me.

Patrick Howe

15:48 11 Jul 23

Making an appointment was fast and easy. Mike arrived exactly on time, and diagnosed the problem very quickly, but still checked other possibilities just to be sure. On the day of the repair, Mike and his partner arrived again on time, with booties in hand. They introduced themselves, interacted playfully with our curious child, and explained exactly what they would be doing. At the end of the day, they provided a full summary of the work, including many before & after photos. They provided some information on next steps, and emailed everything to me on the spot. 100% will use them again!

Paul W

18:08 09 Jul 23

The pros are Milltown was very professional. They were clean, prompt and the quality of work was good. The cons are they were VERY expensive. I was able to talk them down by approximately 40% and it'd be better if the initial price were reasonable.

Elaine Winchell

19:29 29 Jun 23

Matt and his assistant arrived on time and carefully assessed my exhaust fan replacement. As the fan in place was over 10 years old Matt provided me with the different options I had for how to replace the unit and how it would look when finished. We discussed my options and Matt went to work. Unfortunately it meant Matt needed to access the fan from the attic which was extremely hot and pretty much a crawl space. The job was well done, they were very professional and cleaned up when finished. I would definitely recommend Mill Town for professionalism and fast scheduling. And I would absolutely recommend Matt for electrical work!! Thank you Mill Town!

shawn mcinnis

01:38 24 Jun 23

I needed my kitchen faucet replaced on Friday as we are entertaining the next day. Milltown responded to my inquiry immediately. Customer service was excellent. The technician was there the next day. He was professional in his manner and extremely friendly. He resolved the problem and provided me with insightful information.In my opinion the price was a high but you get what you pay for so yes I recommend Milltown.Shawn M

David Pauplis

22:59 21 Jun 23

Outstanding overall experience! They worked with me to meet a critical deadline (thank you Kevin) Great communication, they pick up the phone when i called, return calls promptly, arrive on time as promised and do great work (thank you Josh and Danny) and follow up after the job is completed. I am very happy and will be sure to call them again when i need additional work!

Kevin Bowen

13:43 16 Jun 23

Mathew came to do an electrical safety inspection. He was early, polite and professional. He gave me a fair estimate of work that I need done in my house and was thorough in his inspection - even giving me some extra advice on smoke detectors in my home and explained some issues that I've been having.Definitely will use MillTown again.

Jane Sancinito

12:31 06 Jun 23

Such a pleasure to work with this competent, knowledgeable, and polite team! They follow through on their promises, handle the issue, and clean up after themselves. I only knew that Milltown did plumbing, but I’ll be using them to handle everything I can now that I see their full range of services! Shout out to Izzy and Kenny for being so lovely and helpful!

Webb Dickson

13:38 11 May 23

I had 2 experiences with Mill Town recently.I had a new gas hot water heater installed in my home and was shocked at the price of $3,000 - but proceeded due to lack of how water. No complaints about the tech, he was considerate and nice. But shortly after the install the safety relief valve started to leak. They came back and put an expansion tank on system which made no sense since one had not been needed in the 25 years we had been there. It continued to leak and they then told me the town water pressure was too high and a pressure reducer would be needed. Again, pressure had been the same over the 25 years we had been there (yes I measure it) - and the town water department confirmed same. I refused to accept that and had to travel. When I returned the leak had stopped so I did not pursue further.2nd experience was have leaky tub drain fixed. The only offered to replace the entire drain and not repair it - a bit disappointed about that. The price was a bit high, but the work was high quality.Milltown has great customer service. I feel their prices are high (why 3 stars only) but they are a premium plumbing service so you know things will be done right.

Roberta Mooradian

19:02 09 May 23

I was delighted to have called Milltown Plumbing and Heating into my home to clean and service my furnace for the very first time (with this company). The technician did an exceptional job and was extremely skilled at what he did, explaining the furnace cleaning step-by-step to ensure the owner knew the process. He ran down his checklist and completed all the electrical checks and readings to reassume me that, even though my furnace was an older model, it was still up and running. I would not hesitate to refer friends and family to Milltown Plumbing and Heating moving forward.

Susan Smith

14:02 02 May 23

Izzie was the plumber who diagnosed our toilet problem and provided 3 quotes. She was great. She Was 99% sure she could resolve the plug with snake and a fair price. she was very friendly polite and resolved the plug quickly. I would highly recommend her.I was also very pleased with the customer service that Milltown provided. They called to confirm appointments, notify me of change in time due to tech that called in sick and notified me when the plumber was on the way. Very friendly and respectful of my time. Also a fair price to unplug my toilet. Thank you Milltown!!

H Singh

16:06 22 Mar 23

Liam came in Monday morning to provide us the quote on EV charger. He explained everything in details about the installation & provided us the quote. Quote was reasonable & we agreed to move forward. He came back next day with his co-worker & install the charger. Everything went so smooth. He was very professional & answered all our questions. We are very happy with their work. Will definitely use them again for future needs. Keep up the good work Liam👍🏼

AmeliaRoseT.Stubblbine Stubblebine

13:54 03 Mar 23

I’ve had very extensive work done by Milltown electricians, hvac and plumbing (hot water and boiler, basement bathroom plumbing and pump installation, whole basement electrical installation) The company has great communication and responsiveness. They are on time, get out quickly to my home and they stand behind their work. With the large scope if projects we have hired them for it is inevitable that something needs attention after the invoice has been paid. Many companies make excuses or find a way to charge an additional cost. They did not do this. This makes me feel they are trustworthy.Additionally, all of their employees (I’ve probably met 5 at this point) speak highly of the company and how it treats them. I like supporting companies that treat their employees fairly and with respect.We joined their membership program and have staved lots of money with it. I have had so many disappointing experiences trying to remodel or maintain my home. It’s nice to finally not have to think about who to call when we have maintenance or projects that need to be done. Great job Milltown!

Miguel Rivera

20:58 24 Jan 23

The Milltown Plumbing team was very professional in all aspects of their work. I had a great experience and am glad that I chose them for their services. They got the job done instantly with no problems which made it a smooth and worry free experience. While encountering finance issues, the team also responded in a professional manner and addressed the issue. They also make your heating options very clear and do not seek to confuse you on getting a service that you do not need done. I highly recommend them if you need heating, AC or draining services done on your home/property!

Alan I

15:38 21 Jan 23

You really do get what you pay for. Yes they can be pricey but it is worth it. Pedro is the man. I was attempting a DIY repair and learned my lesson trying to play plumber I turned a mole hill into a mountain, ended up with broken fittings and broken pipe and ultimately no toilet for a few days I tried looking at videos and reading tutorials to try and figure out how to remedy my self inflicted disaster. Eventually i bowed my head, checked my ego, threw in the towel and called in the professionals and what a Pro Pedro was man. Not only did they get someone in fast but Pedro was super personable, friendly, very respectful and most importantly clearly a master at his trade who knew what he was doing and truly cared about doing a great job. It’s wonderful seeing someone have true pride in their work and passion for what they do. He accomplished his task quickly and cleanly and left me with 100% confidence in the quality and durability of this repair. I have had so many bad experiences with trade folks but never with Milltown you really do get what you pay for and next time I know to leave it to the Pros. Thanks again for the save Pedro you the man.

Jason McFarland

20:40 16 Dec 22

Called Milltown for regular maintenance on our gas boiler. Nathan B did a super thorough inspection, then explained our options in a professional and friendly way. I really appreciated the time he took to go over the results of his inspection with me. We chose to do a meaningful repair that we'd been putting off. Price for the repair was very competitive with a quote we'd gotten a year earlier from a different plumbing/HVAC company. Since we started using them last spring, quality of service from Milltown has always been excellent and this was no exception.

Timothy M. Coy

14:57 20 Sep 22

My review is more for Pedro my tech, than Milltown. Pedro was amazing! He took the time to walk me through not only my issue, but also just general utility care I should know as a homeowner. He was personable, and really took the time. And it was greatly appreciated! I’d have him back for all my plumbing needs! I think nearly $600 was a little steep to replace a hose spigot… But I was willing to pay it because of the service Pedro provided.

Jan Young

19:23 09 Aug 22

Less than eight hours after I first called Milltown with a dead water heater and no hot water, I now have a brand new unit working perfectly. The technician, Jonathan, and the supervisor with him were wonderful. I am so grateful that I didn’t have to wait several days, and that these folks were so nice to work with. And the dispatcher, Ralph, was very helpful as well. I am very happy right now!

Lisa Silva

11:43 25 Jun 22

Our shower started leaking the week before I was having surgery. Milltown sent Darrin out to assess our situation . Darrin recommended we completely replace our shower unit . We agreed. He was able to get things expedited and was in our home working on it two days after my surgery. He was kind, knowledgeable, worked cleanly, and efficiently. His partner James was also very good. Thank you Milltown for sending such a good crew.

J S Doane

14:18 24 Mar 22

I was already a Milltown customer for both plumbing and water heater services, so I didn’t hesitate to contact them for some needed electrical work at my 100+ year old house. Based on my experience with this company, I expected good service. The service I received from the Electrical Team was OUTSTANDING!. Matthew H was so helpful during the estimating process, and in his recommendations, and patiently answered all of my questions. On the scheduled work days, Matthew and his team always arrived on time, and were as professional and courteous as they could possibly be. This is a two-family home, and the amount of work that they have completed on time, as promised, has been amazing. So organized, and informative every step of the way, and I’m thrilled with the results. The peace-of-mind I now have in knowing that the work was done correctly by licensed professionals like Matthew and his team is so important, especially for electrical services. I highly recommend Matthew H and the whole Milltown electrical crew!March 23rd: For the last package of work, Matt and Dan came back to install all of the new ceiling light fixtures, all NINE of them. Each new fixture was replacing a really old one that was not LED compatible. The installation was fast, and perfect, and they even cleaned up each area as they went!. Service doesn’t get any better than this. Milltown is the best!!

Nicole Fox

22:25 17 Mar 22

Customer service was good. They set up an appointment for the day after my call, even though it was not an emergency request. Technicians Pedro and James were friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful in explaining the repair and costs. I decided not to wait on getting another quote, since the price was within the range I expected. They had their tools right there. After struggling to fix the clog myself for months, the drain finally flows again! I definitely recommend this company for their professional team and quick response.

By Milltown Plumbing