Why this matters in Ontario
Renting the water heater is common in Ontario, often through a company billed monthly or on the gas bill. A lot of people who bought a house never realised the tank came with a rental contract. If the tank is rented, the rental company is normally the one responsible for repairing it under the agreement.
How to check
- Look for a sticker on the tank with a company name and phone number. That is usually the rental company.
- Check your gas bill or bank statements for a monthly water heater charge.
- If you bought the house recently, look through the closing documents for a rental or assumed contract.
If it is a rental
Call the rental company first for a repair. If you want to replace it with a tank you own, ask them about removal and any buyout cost before anyone takes it out, so there is no surprise bill later.
If you own it
Note the brand, whether it is gas or electric, the size in gallons or litres, and the year on the label. With those details and a description of the problem (no hot water, not enough hot water, water around the base, a noise or an error light) a plumber can usually tell you on the first call whether it sounds like a repair or a replacement.
Water at the base
If water is coming from the tank itself rather than a fitting, turn off the cold water valve on top of the tank and turn off the power or set the gas control to pilot. A tank that leaks from the body is usually not repairable, whoever owns it.