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A public resource guide
Free water heater removal in Norfolk, VA
Every free and paid way to get rid of a water heater in Norfolk, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Norfolk
Home › By item › Water heater › Norfolk
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of a water heater in Norfolk, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Norfolk
12
free bulk collections a year, 3 cubic yards each, scheduled through 757-664-6510 or MyNorfolk
4
tires per collection day (12 a year), included in bulk pickup
Tue and Sat
free e-waste drop-off at the SPSA Norfolk Transfer Station, noon to 4 p.m.
Every route for a water heater in Norfolk, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Norfolk guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Norfolk, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Norfolk scheduled bulk waste collection: water heaters
Free, with a step firstA drained water heater is a bulk appliance by scheduled collection.
Who qualifies: Households with City of Norfolk Waste Management collection.
How to schedule: City code requires you to schedule before anything goes out: call Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510 (311) or use the MyNorfolk app. Standard bulk collections are free, limited to 3 cubic yards each and 12 per year; larger volumes are charged by the cubic yard.
Limits: 3 cubic yards per collection, 12 collections a year. Up to 4 tires per collection day and 12 per year, non-commercial sizes.
Set-out: At the curb as directed when you schedule, on the scheduled day, separate from carts. Glass sectioned and taped or boxed.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Norfolk: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering water heaters, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Norfolk: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Norfolk, Virginia provides free curbside bulk waste pickup with a generous annual allowance: up to 12 bulk waste pickups per year, max 3 cubic yards per collection, by request through the MyNorfolk app, online portal, or Norfolk Cares phone line. Requests must be made by 3 PM the day prior to your trash collection day. Recycling is bi-weekly on the same day as trash. Up to 20 clear bags or bundles of yard waste are accepted per collection. Multi-family properties of 4 units or fewer are eligible for city service. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Norfolk residents.
The Norfolk rule for water heaters: A drained water heater is a bulk appliance by scheduled collection.
Program basics: 3 cubic yards per collection, 12 collections a year. Up to 4 tires per collection day and 12 per year, non-commercial sizes. At the curb as directed when you schedule, on the scheduled day, separate from carts. Glass sectioned and taped or boxed.
What the city will not take: Electronics (free at the SPSA Norfolk Transfer Station on Tuesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4), household hazardous waste, and construction debris.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Norfolk: How Do I Dispose Of (bulk waste, tires, e-waste), Norfolk City Code section 41-32 (bulk waste scheduling, 3 cubic yards, tires), via city rule summary. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Hazardous and regulated components in Norfolk. Use the city’s Waste Wizard tool at norfolk.gov/recycling to determine if a specific item is trash, recyclable, or requires special disposal.
Why water heaters are different from ordinary bulk. The weight problem is entirely water. People try to tip a tank that has not fully drained and discover that 30 remaining gallons weigh 250 pounds. Sediment at the bottom can also clog the drain valve, leaving the tank heavier than it looks. Flushing with the cold supply on for a minute often clears it.
Three mistakes that get water heaters left at the curb:
Paid options come into play for basement tanks with difficult stairs, heat pump units, and situations where no replacement is being installed.
Self-haul to a transfer station or scrap yard
Free to $15A drained tank lies flat in a pickup bed or a large SUV. Scrap yards take them free; transfer stations may charge a small bulky item fee.
Strap it down. An empty tank rolls.
LoadUp paid water heater pickup
$80+For Norfolk households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept, or service before the next bulk request slot, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Norfolk area for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your water heater. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book water heater pickup in Norfolk with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Norfolk proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Norfolk junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national water heater disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Norfolk: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Norfolk pick up water heaters for free?
Yes, drained, after scheduling.
How much does paid water heater removal cost in Norfolk?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single water heater pickup in Norfolk starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Norfolk households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept, or service before the next bulk request slot, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Norfolk area for upfront-priced pickup.
How do I drain a water heater before disposal?
Turn off the gas or the breaker and shut the cold water supply. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and run it to a floor drain or outside. Open a hot tap upstairs and the T&P valve to let air in. When the flow stops, open the cold supply briefly to flush sediment, then close it and let the tank finish draining. Expect 20 to 40 minutes for a 50 gallon tank.
Can a water heater go out with bulk trash?
In most cities, yes, as long as it is drained. Some cities treat it as an appliance with its own appointment. Check the local rule in the directory below.
Will a scrap yard pay for an old water heater?
Usually a few dollars for the steel, more for a tankless unit with a copper heat exchanger. Most yards require the tank to be fully drained and some ask that the drain valve be removed.
Is there anything hazardous in a water heater?
Standard gas and electric tanks contain no refrigerant or regulated materials. Heat pump water heaters contain refrigerant in the compressor and must be handled like a refrigerator. The glass lining and the magnesium or aluminum anode rod are inert.
Is this Norfolk page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Norfolk guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.