Clarkston requires a city permit to replace a water heater, so plan on one for any tankless conversion. Much of the city's housing went up in the 1970s, which usually means checking gas pipe size and finding a new vent path. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston in brief
About 31% of Clarkston homes were built in the 1970s, and more than half predate 1980. Many are apartments or modest houses where the heater shares a small closet with the furnace. DeKalb County manages the water and sewer, so water problems and sewage backups go to the county rather than the city. Clarkston Planning and Development issues the permits, including those for water heater replacement.
What to do now
- Gas smell? Leave first. Get outside, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321. AGL is the expected pipe utility for Clarkston; your bill confirms it.
- Check whether you rent. In an apartment or rental, the property owner decides on and arranges heater replacement.
- Note what is installed. Write down the brand, fuel type and age from the label, plus any code on a tankless display.
- Measure the space. A tankless unit hangs on a wall, so the plumber needs a mounting spot and a route to an outside wall for venting.
- Allow time for the permit. Clarkston takes applications through its online portal at City Hall's Park North Boulevard office.
Signs and likely causes
| Sign | Probable cause |
|---|---|
| No hot water and a flashing code | Ignition failure, blocked vent or gas supply issue |
| Temperature swings mid-shower | Flow below the unit's minimum, or a mixing valve issue |
| Weak hot water flow only | Scale buildup or a clogged inlet screen |
| Old tank rumbling | Sediment in the tank bottom |
| Rusty water from the hot side | Corroding tank lining |
Cost factors
The main variables are the gas line (a tankless burner may need a larger run than a 1970s closet heater ever did), the vent route through an exterior wall, whether a condensing unit needs a drain, and any electrical outlet the unit needs for its controls. A unit sized for more simultaneous showers costs more, and so does adding recirculation for a far bathroom. The city permit is part of every install. In multi-unit buildings, shared walls and limited exterior wall space can make venting the hardest part of the job, which is one reason owners sometimes choose a new tank instead. DeKalb does not list hardness in its water report, so a water test helps decide whether extra treatment is worth paying for.
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Clarkston
Do I need a permit to switch to a tankless water heater?
Will a tankless unit work in an older house?
Can an electric tankless heater handle a whole house?
Does a gas tankless heater work during a power outage?
More plumbing services in Clarkston
Tankless Water Heaters nearby
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