Rowlett has changed a lot over the last decade — and much of that change is written into the plumbing behind your walls.
Between the homes rebuilt after the December 2015 tornado and the wave of newer construction along the Lake Ray Hubbard shoreline in communities like Waterview and Lakeshore, a large share of Rowlett’s housing stock is younger than it looks from the street. That matters more than most homeowners realize when it comes to water heaters.
Why Rowlett’s Plumbing Is Different
Most rebuilt and newly constructed homes in Rowlett are on closed plumbing systems. In a closed system, a check valve or pressure regulator prevents water from flowing back into the municipal supply — which means thermal expansion inside your water heater has nowhere to go except into an expansion tank. Texas plumbing code requires one on closed systems, full stop, regardless of whether you have a tank or tankless unit.
We see missing or failed expansion tanks constantly on service calls in Rowlett — often the actual cause of a leaking pressure relief valve or a water heater that seems to be “malfunctioning” for no clear reason. If your home was built or rebuilt after 2015 and you’ve never had your expansion tank checked, it’s worth a look.
Older sections of Rowlett — Dalrock, Merit Park, and pockets further from the lake — tell a different story: original-era tank water heaters that are well past their expected service life and due for replacement rather than another repair.
Hard Water and Your Water Heater
Rowlett’s water comes through the North Texas Municipal Water District, drawing from Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon. Like most of North Texas, it’s hard water — typically in the 15 to 20 grains per gallon range. That mineral content doesn’t just affect your dishes and shower doors; it settles as sediment inside a tank water heater and builds up as scale inside a tankless unit’s heat exchanger.
Left alone, this sediment buildup is one of the most common reasons a water heater fails years before it should. A tank unit rated for 10 to 12 years can wear out in half that time once sediment insulates the bottom of the tank and forces the heating element to work harder than it was designed to.
Tank or Tankless in Rowlett?
Both make sense depending on the home. If you’re in one of Rowlett’s larger newer-construction properties near the lake, a tankless system is worth serious consideration — continuous hot water, a 20-plus year lifespan, and a much smaller footprint than a traditional tank. For older homes or straightforward replacements, a properly sized tank unit is often the more budget-friendly choice.
Whichever direction makes sense for your household, the water heater needs to be sized correctly, vented properly, and — if you’re on a closed system — paired with a working expansion tank from day one.
Same-Day Service Throughout Rowlett
Lone Star Water Heaters serves all of Rowlett, TX, from Waterview and Lakeshore to Dalrock and Shorehaven. We’re family and veteran-owned, water heaters are the only thing we do, and we’re available 24/7 for same-day repairs, replacements, and installations.
If your water heater is acting up — or if you’re not sure whether your home even has a working expansion tank — give us a call.
Call 888-844-8105 or visit www.lonestarhotwater.com to schedule service.