Water heater removal, tank and all.
Old gas and electric water heaters, carried out of the basement, garage or utility closet and hauled off for recycling. Heavy steel tanks, handled for you.
How it works
Three steps. No heavy lifting.
Tell us about the tank, pick a time, and the crew carries it out and hauls it away.
Describe the tank
Gas or electric, tank size and where it's located.
Book your pickup
Same-day in most areas when you book early. In-home or curbside.
Old tank recycled
The crew carries it out and sends it to scrap metal recyclers.
What's included
Old water heater haul away
An old water heater is a heavy steel cylinder, often coated in sediment and sitting at the bottom of a basement staircase. Even drained, a standard tank can weigh over 100 pounds. JunkHaulAwayPros sends a crew that knows how to move it safely and get it out of your house without dinging walls or stairs.
- Any location. Basements, garages, attics, closets and crawlspace access points.
- Strapped and carried. Tanks are secured on proper equipment for stairs.
- Leftover parts too. Old expansion tanks, pans and venting can go with it.
- Recycled as scrap. Steel tanks are sent to metal recyclers.
Removal is for water heaters that have already been disconnected and drained. Your plumber can shut off the gas or power, close the water supply, disconnect the lines and drain the tank, often while installing the new one. After that, the crew does the heavy part.
Tanks of every size
Gas, electric and tankless units
If it heated your water, the crew can haul it away. Small utility tanks to large-capacity heaters are all fine, as long as they're drained and disconnected.
Gas tank heaters
30- to 75-gallon natural gas and propane tanks.
Electric tank heaters
Standard electric heaters of any capacity.
Tankless units
Wall-mounted on-demand heaters once removed.
Heat pump heaters
Hybrid units disconnected by your installer.
Point-of-use tanks
Small under-sink and utility heaters.
Expansion tanks
The small tank mounted next to the heater.
Drain pans & stands
Metal pans and platforms the tank sat on.
Boiler tanks
Indirect storage tanks from boiler systems.
Clearing out the utility room? Add the old furnace parts, dehumidifier and storage shelving to the same visit.
Common reasons
When people book water heater disposal
Most tank water heaters last eight to twelve years. When they fail, the old tank becomes a heavy problem. These are the common reasons people call.
It's leaking
Rusted tanks and failed valves can leak slowly or all at once.
No more hot water
Burned-out elements and failed gas valves mean it's time for a new one.
Switching to tankless
Upgrading to an on-demand unit leaves the old tank behind.
The plumber left it
Installers sometimes leave the old tank in the garage or driveway.
Basement remodel
Relocating mechanicals starts with clearing out old equipment.
Home inspection findings
An aging tank flagged during a sale often gets replaced quickly.
A closer look
Signs your water heater is on its way out
Water heaters usually give a few warnings before they fail completely. Rusty or discolored hot water, popping or rumbling noises from the tank, inconsistent temperatures and small leaks around the base are all common signs of an aging unit. Most tank water heaters last somewhere between eight and twelve years.
Sediment is a big part of the problem. Minerals in the water settle at the bottom of the tank over time, reducing efficiency and causing the tank to work harder. Eventually, corrosion can weaken the tank itself, leading to leaks that may damage floors, walls and belongings in basements and utility rooms.
When it’s time to replace the heater, a plumber will typically handle the disconnection and installation of the new unit. The old tank is often left in the basement, garage or driveway, where it becomes a heavy, awkward problem to solve. That’s where removal comes in.
Once picked up, old water heaters are almost entirely recyclable. The steel tank, outer jacket, copper fittings and brass valves are recovered by scrap metal recyclers, and only small amounts of insulation and plastic need to be disposed of.
On pickup day
What to expect when the crew arrives
Water heater pickups are usually quick once the tank is drained and disconnected. The crew straps it to proper equipment, protects your stairs and walls, and loads it. Here's how the visit goes.
A heads-up first
You'll know your arrival window ahead of time, so you can plan the rest of your day around it.
A quick walkthrough
Point out what's going and what's staying. The crew checks the easiest route out of the house.
Careful removal
Background-checked pros protect floors and walls, take items apart if needed and carry everything out.
Swept and sorted
The area gets a quick sweep, and everything is sorted for donation, recycling or disposal.
Two ways to book
Where should we pick it up?
Most old water heaters are either still in the utility room or have been moved out by a plumber. Both are easy to schedule.
In-home pickup
The crew comes in and carries the drained tank up the basement stairs or out of the closet and garage. It's the best option for anything below ground level.
Curbside pickup
If your plumber already moved the old tank outside, leave it in the garage or on the driveway. You don't need to be home.
Make sure the tank is fully drained. A tank that still holds water can weigh several hundred pounds and is much harder to move safely.
Responsible disposal
Water heater recycling, not the landfill
Water heaters are mostly steel, which makes them ideal for scrap metal recycling. After pickup, tanks go to metal recyclers rather than sitting in a landfill.
Steel tanks and jackets are recovered, along with copper fittings, brass valves and heating elements. Insulation and plastic parts that can't be recycled are disposed of at approved facilities.
Basements and closets
Steep stairs and tight utility rooms
Water heaters tend to live in the least accessible parts of a house: unfinished basements with steep stairs, cramped utility closets, attic platforms and garage corners surrounded by storage.
Crews strap the tank to an appliance dolly or carry it using proper technique, protecting stair treads and walls on the way up. Tight closets are cleared carefully so doorframes aren't damaged.
If the tank is in an attic, crawlspace or a closet with a narrow door, mention it when you book. Let us know the tank size too, so the right crew is sent.
Book an old tank removalQuick prep
Prep before pickup
A water heater has to be drained and disconnected before it can be removed. Here's what needs to be done ahead of time.
- Shut off gas or power. Turn off the gas valve or breaker, or have your plumber do it.
- Close the water supply. Shut off the cold water inlet to the tank.
- Disconnect and cap. Have water, gas and vent connections removed and capped.
- Drain the tank. Empty all water so the tank can be safely carried.
Weighing your options
Hauling a tank yourself?
Even drained, a water heater is heavy, bulky and awkward to carry, especially up basement stairs. Sediment inside can make it heavier than expected. Many curbside trash programs won't take them, and scrap yards may have limited hours. You'll need a truck, a dolly and a helper to move one safely.
| Task | Doing it yourself | With a crew |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting & stairs | You and whoever you can recruit | Handled by trained pros |
| Transportation | Borrow or rent a truck or trailer | Truck arrives with the crew |
| Finding a drop-off | Call around about charities, landfills and city rules | Sorted for donation, recycling or disposal |
| Time | Often half a day or more | Usually under an hour on site |
| Risk | Strained backs, scuffed walls, dented doorframes | Floors and walls protected |
If the tank is already in your garage and you have a truck and a scrap yard nearby, it's a manageable DIY trip. For basement tanks or larger units, a crew is safer and faster.
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Water Heater Removal FAQ
Water heater removal questions
Don't see your question? Send us a note and we'll get back to you within one business day.
Do you disconnect and drain the water heater?
No. The water heater should be disconnected and drained before pickup. A plumber or qualified installer should shut off the gas or electricity, close the water supply, disconnect the water and gas lines, cap them and drain the tank. Many plumbers do this when installing the new heater. Once it's ready, the crew carries the old tank out and loads it onto the truck. Your plumber can also confirm the tank is fully drained before leaving the old unit behind.
How heavy is an old water heater?
A typical 40- to 50-gallon tank weighs roughly 100 to 150 pounds when drained, and larger tanks weigh more. Sediment built up in the bottom can add more weight. A tank that still contains water can weigh several hundred pounds, which is why it must be fully drained before pickup. Crews use proper equipment to move heavy tanks safely, especially on stairs. Older tanks with heavy sediment can be noticeably heavier than newer ones of the same size.
Can you remove a water heater from the basement?
Yes. Basement water heaters are one of the most common pickups. The crew straps the drained tank to proper equipment and brings it up the stairs carefully, protecting the steps and walls. If the stairway is steep, narrow or has a tight turn, mention it when you book so the crew can plan the route and send enough people to move it safely. Removing items stored near the stairs gives the crew a clear, safe path up.
Is my old water heater recycled?
Yes, in almost every case. Water heaters are mostly steel, so they're sent to scrap metal recyclers. The steel tank and outer jacket are recovered along with copper fittings, brass valves and heating elements. Foam insulation and plastic parts that can't be recycled are disposed of properly. You don't need to strip any parts off the tank before pickup. Even badly rusted tanks are valuable to scrap recyclers, so very little goes to a landfill.
Can you take a tankless water heater or other equipment?
Yes. Tankless and heat pump water heaters can be hauled away once they've been removed from the wall and disconnected. The crew can also take expansion tanks, drain pans, old venting, water softeners and other utility room equipment in the same trip. List everything when you book so the crew brings enough space to clear the whole utility area. Old water softeners should be drained and disconnected before the crew arrives as well.
Ready when you are
Get rid of the old tank.
Tell us what's going and a local crew will haul it away, often the same or next day.
Book water heater removal