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Water Heater Removal: Cost, Municipal Bulk Pickup Rules & Disposal Options
40- to 80-gallon tank water heaters are classified as white goods and often weigh 150–300 lbs when filled with mineral sediment; compare free county white-goods drop-off, city curbside rules, or in-home haul-away from $140.
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Your Water Heater Disposal & Hauling Options
Free County White-Goods Recycling Drop-Off
Drained tank and tankless water heaters are accepted free of charge at Wake County’s Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (6130 Old Smithfield Rd in Apex and 9029 Deponie Dr in Raleigh) and Durham’s Waste Disposal & Recycling Center (2115 E. Club Blvd). [2]
Municipal Curbside Pickup Eligibility
Houston (even-month Junk Waste) and Wake Forest (scheduled Tuesday bulk pickup) accept drained water heaters at the curb, while Raleigh requires a $70 Special Load and Cary charges $10 at the Citizen’s Convenience Center. [3]
In-Home Attic, Crawlspace, or Garage Water Heater Haul-Away
In the South and Southwest, many 50-gallon water heaters are installed in walk-in attics or tight crawlspaces and accumulate 50–100 lbs of wet calcium sediment at the bottom of the tank. LoadUp’s two-person crews haul disconnected water heaters out from attics, basements, or garages starting at $140. [1]
Prices
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County Multi-Material (6130 Old Smithfield Rd / 9029 Deponie Dr) & Durham (2115 E. Club Blvd) drop-off | Free for residents | [2] |
| LoadUp disconnected water heater removal & recycling | from $140 | [1] |
Prices as published by the source on the access date; confirm before you go.
City Bulk Pickup Rules for Water Heater Disposal
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Apex, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Austin, TX
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Cary, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Charlotte, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Durham, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Houston, TX
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Phoenix, AZ
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Raleigh, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC
FAQ
Can I put an old water heater in a roll-off dumpster?
No. Water heaters are regulated as white goods (major appliances) and are banned from landfill disposal and mixed roll-off containers in North Carolina and most states.
Does a water heater need to be drained and disconnected before junk removal?
Yes. Ensure the gas or 240V electrical supply is shut off, the water lines are disconnected, and the tank is drained before the hauling crew arrives.
Sources
- LoadUp: Water Heater Removal & Disposal Pricing (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Wake County Government: Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (Large Appliances & Water Heaters) (accessed 2026-10-24)
- City of Houston: Heavy Trash Collection Accepted Appliances (accessed 2026-10-24)
Last checked 2026-10-24.