A water heater was replaced in 7956 on Sunday (same day as it was reported) by California Plumbing. The average emergency plumbing cost is $500. The average cost of a 100Gal Water Heater to be installed is about $10K. But as an emergency this cost the community more than $14K.

The old water heater was installed in 2020 but was not maintained. Meaning it was not drained and flushed annually on a regular schedule.

Hard water corroded the anode elements. If the anode cannot be removed and replaced, then the whole water heater has to be replaced.

Yes, this is an actual picture of the actual water heater in question.

As you can see there is significant build up in the plumbing from the hard water in San Diego.

For more information on this topic watch this video.

Regular draining and flushing the water heaters on a regular schedule can prevent this expense to the HOA.

How to Change a Water Heater Anode Rod | This Old House – YouTube