Water Heater Replacement in Decatur, GA

Is a separate permit really required for a heater?

Inside city limits, yes. The City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division requires separate trade permits for plumbing, gas, sewer, mechanical, electrical or drainage work regardless of value, and every application goes through the Community Core online portal. The office is in the Leveritt Public Works Building, 2635 Talley Street, 404-377-6198. Decatur mailing addresses in unincorporated DeKalb (much of 30032 to 30035) are permitted by DeKalb County instead.

What makes Decatur houses tricky for replacements?

Age. The median home in the city was built in 1975, about 54% predate 1980, and roughly 22.7% were built in 1939 or earlier. Neighborhoods like Oakhurst have basements and back-hall closets where heaters have been swapped several times on the same old connections. Expect the plumber to look closely at the gas cock, the vent connector and chimney liner if the heater vents into a masonry flue, and the relief valve's discharge line. Replacing worn parts during the install saves a second visit later.

Who supplies water and gas here?

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management supplies the water, drawn from the Chattahoochee River and treated at the Scott Candler plant. DeKalb owns the line from the main through the meter; the owner is responsible from the meter to the house. DeKalb's service line inventory lets you look up whether your service line is lead or galvanized, which is worth a look in an older home.

Atlanta Gas Light owns the gas lines in Decatur. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from away from the building.

One Decatur note

Because the permit portal is online only, ask your plumber to handle the filing and to tell you when the inspection is scheduled. Keep the final inspection record with your home documents; buyers and insurers sometimes ask for it. When you call, have the heater's size, fuel and age handy, and mention if it sits in a basement or attic so the plumber can plan for access and a drain pan. If you are weighing a tankless or heat pump unit instead of another tank, ask for both prices on the same visit.