No hot water? Water heater leaking? Express Plumbing installs and replaces gas and electric water heaters across Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville, O'Fallon, and St Charles County. Same-day installation available. Licensed master plumber with 26 years experience. Call (314) 807-8460 — most installs done in half a day.

Most water heaters last 10–15 years before they start giving out. If yours is in that range and you're having problems, replacement is usually the better move than trying to patch it. The most obvious sign is when your shower runs cold or you're running out of hot water way faster than you used to. That means the heating element is failing or the tank's full of sediment. If you hear banging or popping sounds from the tank, that's sediment buildup — it happens over time and eventually the unit can't heat properly.
A leaking water heater is a different problem. If you've got water pooling around the base of the tank, that's not something you can fix. The tank itself is failing and it needs replaced before it floods your basement or garage. Rusty water coming out of your hot water taps means the inside of the tank is corroding. Once that starts, it's only a matter of time before the tank leaks. If your water heater is over 10 years old and you're seeing any of these signs, call us at (314) 807-8460. We'll take a look and tell you honestly whether it's worth repairing or if you need a new one. Most of the time, if it's old and failing, replacement is the smarter choice.
We Assess Your Current Setup and Recommend the Right Unit
When you call (314) 807-8460, we'll ask about your current water heater — gas or electric, what size, how old, what's wrong with it. We come out, look at the setup, and recommend what you need. If you're replacing a 40-gallon gas unit, we'll probably recommend another 40-gallon gas unit unless your needs have changed. We'll give you a price for the unit and the install before we start any work.
We Install the New Water Heater to Code
Most installs take three to five hours. We shut off the water and gas or electric to the old unit, drain it, disconnect it, and haul it out. Then we bring in the new unit, set it in place, connect the water lines, connect the gas line or electrical, install the pressure relief valve, and make sure the venting is correct for gas units. We test everything before we're done. If permits are required, we pull them and schedule the inspection.
We Test It and Show You How It Works
Once it's installed, we fire it up and make sure it's heating properly. We check for leaks, we make sure the pressure relief valve is working, and we verify that hot water is flowing to your taps. We'll show you where the shut-off valves are, how to adjust the temperature if you need to, and what to watch for going forward. Most water heaters are set to 120 degrees from the factory, which is fine for most homes.
Ready to get started?


Most water heater installs take about half a day — usually three to five hours from start to finish. If we're swapping a gas unit for another gas unit in the same spot, it's pretty straightforward. If we need to run a new gas line, upgrade electrical, or change the venting setup, it might take longer. We'll tell you upfront what to expect.
It depends on the type and size. A standard 40-gallon or 50-gallon gas water heater with installation usually runs $1,200–$1,800. Electric units are similar, maybe a bit less. Tankless water heaters cost more — usually $2,500–$4,000 installed because they require more work. We give free estimates so you'll know the price before we start.
Most homes do fine with a 40-gallon or 50-gallon tank. If it's just you or two people, a 40-gallon is plenty. If you've got a family of four or more, a 50-gallon makes more sense. If you're running out of hot water constantly, you might need to go bigger. We'll recommend the right size based on how many people live in your house and your hot water usage.
If your house already has a gas line and your current water heater is gas, stick with gas. Gas heaters heat water faster and cost less to run. If your house is all-electric, then electric is the way to go. Electric heaters are simpler to install because there's no venting required, but they cost more to operate and they heat slower. We'll walk you through what makes sense for your setup.
It depends on where you are. Some jurisdictions require permits for water heater replacements, some don't. We know which areas require permits and we'll pull them when needed. Our work passes inspection the first time because we install to code. You don't have to worry about dealing with inspectors or paperwork — we handle it.
You can reach us at (314) 807-8460 or email us at [email protected] for more information — we’re always happy to help.