Clarkston's housing is largely from the 1970s and 1980s, so many water heaters and the fittings around them are wearing out together. The city requires a permit for water heater replacement, filed through its Planning and Development office. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
About 52.8% of Clarkston's homes were built before 1980, and roughly 31% went up in the 1970s alone. In homes that age, the heater may be on its third or fourth tank, and the pipe, valves and vent leading to it may be original. Water and sewer come from DeKalb County, and the city handles storm drains only.
What to do right now
- Turn off the supply. Close the cold valve on the pipe entering the top of the tank.
- Turn off the heat source. Breaker off for electric; control knob to off for gas.
- Contain the water. Use towels or a bucket, and keep water away from outlets and the burner area.
- Do not drain a hot tank yourself unless you know how; scalding water and a stuck drain valve are a bad mix.
- If you smell gas, leave the home and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Atlanta Gas Light, the expected pipe utility here, takes leak calls at 877.427.4321.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pooling under the tank | Tank failure, or a leak at the drain valve or fittings |
| Not enough hot water | Sediment, a broken dip tube or a failed element |
| Rust in the hot water | Corroding tank interior |
| Pilot keeps going out | Thermocouple, draft or gas valve issue |
| Sewage backup near a floor drain by the heater | A drain or sewer issue to report to DeKalb at 770-621-7200 if it is a main problem |
Cost factors
- Type, fuel and tank size
- Venting and gas line condition
- Updated valves, connectors or pipe in older units and homes
- Space and access, including apartments with small closets
- The Clarkston trade permit and old-tank disposal
Clarkston Planning and Development is at 736 Park North Blvd, Suite 120, and takes trade permit applications through its online portal; the office number is 404-296-6489. Most plumbers file the permit for you, so ask whether it is included in the price. In an apartment or condo, check with the building manager or HOA before work starts, since access, shutoffs and any shared venting may need their sign-off. Ask the plumber, too, whether a drain pan is required if the heater sits above a finished floor or another unit.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Clarkston
Who issues the permit for a water heater replacement here?
How long will we be without hot water?
Why does my hot water come out rusty or brown?
What size tank should replace the old one?
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