Water Heater Removal and Disposal in Aurora, IL

Water heater removal in Aurora is straightforward once the unit is disconnected. Gas water heaters need a plumber to shut off and cap the gas line first. After that, Junk Nurse handles the haul-out, the disposal, and the scrap metal recycling. Same-day available across the Fox Valley.

The two water heater types we remove

Gas water heaters (most common)

Standard 40–50 gallon gas water heaters are in almost every older Aurora-area home. They run on natural gas or propane and weigh about 130–180 lbs empty (much more when full). They have a gas supply line, an exhaust flue, a cold water inlet, and a hot water outlet.

Required prep: a licensed plumber needs to shut off the gas valve, disconnect and cap the gas line, drain the tank, and disconnect the water supply lines. After that, the unit is just a metal cylinder ready for removal.

Most of the time, the plumber who’s installing your new water heater handles this. They’ll often offer to haul away the old one for an extra fee — sometimes that’s the cheapest path, sometimes Junk Nurse is cheaper. If you’re replacing the unit, ask your plumber for a haul-away quote and compare to ours.

Electric water heaters

Electric water heaters are less common in Aurora-area homes but still present, especially in smaller properties or homes without gas service. They have a 240V electrical connection, cold water inlet, and hot water outlet — no gas line, no flue.

Required prep: shut off the breaker, drain the tank, and disconnect water lines. The wiring at the unit can be left alone — we just don’t reuse it.

Electric water heaters are easier than gas because there’s no licensed plumber requirement for disconnect. We can handle the water line disconnect ourselves on-site.

Tankless water heaters

Tankless units (Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, Rheem) are smaller and lighter (30–80 lbs) but mounted on walls. They have a gas line, water lines, an exhaust vent, and a power connection. Same rule: gas disconnect requires a plumber. After that, we remove the unit from the wall mount and haul.

Draining the tank before pickup

A 50-gallon water heater holds 400+ lbs of water. We can’t (and won’t) move a full unit — the weight is dangerous on stairs, and it’ll spill regardless.

How to drain:

1. Turn off the gas (or electricity) to the unit.
2. Turn off the cold water supply valve.
3. Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house (to break the vacuum).
4. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
5. Run the hose to a floor drain, sump pit, or outside — somewhere the hot water can safely go.
6. Open the drain valve. Let it drain completely (30–60 minutes depending on tank size).

Most homeowners have their plumber handle this when the plumber is replacing the unit. If you’re removing without replacing, your plumber may do it as a small standalone job, or we can sometimes help time the visit so we’re there right after the plumber finishes.

What happens to the old water heater

Water heaters are essentially big steel cylinders with copper and brass fittings. They have high scrap metal value, and Junk Nurse routes every water heater we pick up through scrap metal recyclers. Nothing about a standard residential water heater goes to a landfill.

The exception: some older units (pre-1980s) might contain components requiring special handling. We’ve worked with enough old houses to know the difference and route accordingly.

Typical scenarios from Aurora-area customers

Plumber replaced the water heater yesterday; the old one is in the garage. Single-item pickup, easy. $75–$125. Same-day in most cases.

Old water heater in the basement, plumber will come tomorrow for the new install. We coordinate so we pick up after the plumber’s done. The plumber drains and disconnects; we haul.

Two old water heaters from a duplex. Common in older Aurora homes that have been split into rental units. We take both at the same time. $150–$225 for the pair.

Tankless replacement. Lighter unit, easier removal, but still requires plumber disconnect. $75–$125.

Whole basement cleanout that includes a water heater. Built into the volume price. We do the lift, you do the prep.

Water heater removal cost in Aurora

• Standalone water heater (already disconnected and drained): $75–$150
• Water heater plus another appliance (washer/dryer, furnace, etc.): built into volume pricing, typically $150–$275 total
• Two water heaters or commercial tank: $150–$300
• Tankless unit: $75–$125

If we coordinate with your plumber, we can sometimes time the visit so both happen back-to-back — saves you waiting for two separate days.

Why we don’t do gas line work

It’s the law and it’s the right call. Gas line work in Illinois requires a licensed plumber. Disconnecting a gas line incorrectly can result in a leak that you don’t smell because we already left. We don’t do it because we don’t want to be the reason your house has a gas issue an hour after we drove away.

If you don’t already have a plumber, ask around — Aurora has plenty of good local plumbing companies, and most water heater disconnect jobs run $100–$200 standalone (less if they’re doing the install too).

Furnaces and boilers

We also remove old furnaces and boilers under similar rules — HVAC tech disconnects the gas and electrical, we handle the haul. Old residential furnaces are typically 200–400 lbs and go to scrap metal recycling. Boilers vary widely in weight; we quote on-site.

For more on the broader appliance and furniture removal services, see our authority guide.