A big share of Alpharetta homes were built between 1980 and 1999, so many original tank heaters are long past their expected life, and a tankless unit is a common upgrade. Fulton County supplies the water and the city issues trade permits. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta at a glance
About 57% of Alpharetta's homes went up between 1980 and 1999, and the median build year is 1996. In practice that means a lot of garages and basements still hold the first or second water heater the house ever had. Water comes from Fulton County Public Works, drawn from the Chattahoochee River at the Tom Lowe plant in Johns Creek and disinfected with chlorine. Gas reaches the area through Atlanta Gas Light pipes.
What to do now
- If you smell gas, get out. Leave the house, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from outside. Do not reset or relight anything first.
- Write down any code. If an existing tankless unit shows an error number on its display, note it before you power-cycle the unit.
- Check the simple stuff. Make sure the unit has power and that the gas valve is open, and clean the inlet water filter screen if you know where it is.
- Note the household load. Count bathrooms and how many showers tend to run at once. That number drives sizing.
- Find the vent. Look at where the current flue leaves the house. Reusing a path or adding a new sidewall vent affects the plan.
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
(404) 637-2993Symptoms and what usually causes them
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot water cuts out when a second shower starts | Unit undersized, or gas supply too small for full fire |
| Brief cold slug between hot draws | Normal restart lag on many non-recirculating units |
| Flow keeps dropping over months | Scale in the heat exchanger or a clogged inlet screen |
| Ignition fault code | Gas valve, igniter or venting problem |
| Water at the base of the unit | Condensate line blocked or a fitting leaking |
What sets the price
- Whether the gas line from the meter needs upsizing for the larger burner
- Vent length and whether it can exit straight through a garage or basement wall
- Condensate drain and neutralizer for condensing models
- Unit size, which follows the number of fixtures in use at once
- Recirculation, for long runs to far bathrooms
- The city trade permit, which plumbers apply for through Alpharetta's online Building/Trade/Tree portal; inspections are booked through the Inspections Division
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Alpharetta
Do I need a permit to switch to a tankless water heater?
Yes, expect one. Alpharetta handles trade permits through its online portal, where the subcontractor applies, and inspections go through the city Inspections Division at 678-297-6080.
Does chlorine in the water hurt a tankless heater?
Fulton County disinfects with chlorine at levels within the federal limit. Chlorine is not a real concern for a heat exchanger; mineral scale is what the yearly flush is meant to control.
How is a tankless heater sized for a household?
The plumber counts how many showers, tubs and appliances may run together, then picks a unit that can deliver that flow at the temperature rise winter water needs.
What happens to my old tank water heater?
The installing plumber usually drains, disconnects and hauls off the old tank as part of the job. Ask about that when you get a quote so it is not a surprise.
More plumbing services in Alpharetta
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Helpful guides
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(404) 637-2993Sources
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