A failing water heater rarely gives much warning beyond a cold shower or a puddle near the tank. This category covers the plumbers around Irmo who handle both ends of that problem: installing new tank and tankless units, and repairing or diagnosing the ones already in service. We're tracking 7 businesses that do this work locally.
Installation jobs typically mean sizing a new unit to the household (a family of four in a larger Irmo home needs more capacity than a couple in a townhome), running new venting or gas lines if the fuel type changes, and bringing the setup up to current code, which often includes an expansion tank and proper drain pan. Repairs range from a bad thermocouple or heating element to a leaking tank that's simply reached the end of its life (most tanks last 8 to 12 years). A good plumber will tell you honestly when repair isn't worth it versus replacement.
When comparing companies, look for licensed and insured crews, clear upfront pricing before work starts, and warranty terms on both the unit and the labor. Response time matters too, since a leaking tank can't wait a week for an appointment.
Our scores weigh licensing, review patterns, responsiveness, and consistency of work over time, not just star averages. See the full ranked guide to Irmo plumbers for how these 7 stack up, and read our methodology for how we build that ranking.
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7 businesses, scored on recent reviews. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is water heater installation & repair, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist.
Conner Plumbing earns consistent praise for arriving on time, answering calls quickly, and solving problems without delay. Named technicians like Talon and Matt handle water heaters, leaks, and fixture work with professionalism and care, leaving work areas clean and customers confident enough to call back.
Work gets done fast and right. Techs like Charles, Tim, Matt, and Aydan take time explaining problems and show up within 30 minutes to an hour. Staff stay in touch during the job and handle complex issues on the first visit. Reviewers mention leaks, waste line blockages, and repair diagnostics. Several customers use them repeatedly for multiple properties. Payment includes a $25 discount on service calls, and the business is licensed and insured. Serving Irmo and surrounding areas since 1935.
Most recent work shows technicians diagnosing problems accurately and treating customers with respect. One household reported pressure to replace working systems, then conflicting warranty claims cast doubt on whether replacements were needed. The bulk of feedback praises named staff like Pablo Bonilla, Jeffrey Pridgeon, and David Williams for patience and transparency, but the 1-star review raises a trust concern worth considering. Cassell handles plumbing, water heater, and HVAC work in Irmo with same-day or next-day response typical. Customers note clean jobsites, picture updates during work, and willingness to discuss options before committing to expensive repairs. The one serious complaint centred on a technician and supervisor recommending costly replacements without clear justification, then later suggesting to warranty companies that those same upgrades were unnecessary.
Meetze responds quickly to emergencies and fielded calls on July 4th when competitors were unavailable, earning strong marks for speed and friendliness. Technicians (Mike, Julian, Dillon, Blake, Caden, and others) consistently draw praise for professionalism and knowledge, and the company has corrected past installations free of charge. However, customers report surprise bills when labor costs are not quoted upfront, and a $49 dispatch fee may not be disclosed during booking.
All 12 reviews praise this company for honest pricing, rapid response to emergencies, and technicians who solve problems without pushing unnecessary work. Customers return repeatedly for plumbing, HVAC, water heater, and gas line jobs, consistently noting professional communication and fair value.
Find matching water heater installation & repair in Irmo
No charge, no obligation. Describe your job and we will connect you with suitable plumbers.
Long-term customers who've stayed with Apple report skilled technicians arriving quickly for emergencies and transparent pricing. However, recent reviews describe sharp price hikes, abandoned jobs, unfinished installations, and refused refunds. Multiple reviewers cite complaints to the City of Columbia Wastewater office and concerns about active licensing, suggesting the company has changed significantly since its 2021 ownership transfer.
Not enough recent reviews yet to synthesise a reliable sentiment read for this business.
Enquiries submitted through our contact forms may be passed to partner providers who perform the work, and we may receive a referral fee for those introductions. Our rankings and scores are determined solely by our published scoring method and are never influenced by referral fees.
Last updated 2026-07-18