Where Texas water heaters live
Basements are rare in Texas, so water heaters go in garages, attics and utility closets. Attic installs are especially common in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin subdivisions. They save floor space but turn a leaking tank into a ceiling repair, which is why code requires a drain pan piped to a safe place under any attic heater.
Gas tanks dominate in most metros, with tankless units popular in newer homes. Electric tanks are common in some rural areas and in homes served by electric cooperatives.
Water across Texas
Most Texas water is moderately hard to very hard. Cities on the Edwards Aquifer, such as San Antonio, and many West Texas cities on groundwater have very hard water that fills tanks with scale. Surface-water cities like Houston and Dallas are generally moderately hard. El Paso blends Rio Grande water, groundwater and desalinated brackish water. Yearly flushing and descaling are good practice almost everywhere in the state.
Freezes and storms
Texas homes are built for heat, not cold, and the February 2021 winter storm showed what happens when a hard freeze arrives with power outages: burst pipes in attics and exterior walls, frozen tankless units and damaged water heater connections across much of the state. Insulating attic supply lines and knowing where your main shutoff is are the best preparation. On the Gulf Coast, flooded garages after hurricanes mean gas water heaters that went underwater must be inspected and usually replaced.
Licensing, permits and costs
Texas licenses plumbers through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, and any plumber's license can be checked on the board's website. Most cities require a permit for water heater replacement. Typical repairs run $150 to $650; a standard gas tank replacement usually costs $1,400 to $3,200 in a garage and somewhat more in an attic. See water heater replacement for details.
Each city page below covers local water, the problems plumbers see most there, and notes on permits and prices.