Water Heater Repair in Fayetteville, GA

From the phone call to the fix

The number puts you through to an independent plumber who works in Fayetteville and the surrounding part of Fayette County. Mention the fuel type, the age on the label and what the heater is doing. At the house, the plumber confirms the heater is getting power or gas, tests the elements or burner controls, checks the relief valve and its drain line, and looks for leaks at the fittings, drain valve and tank base. You should know whether the answer is a part or a new heater before any work starts.

Price factors

• The failed component. Thermostats and elements are quicker than gas valves or burners.
• Heater age. On a tank from the late 1990s or 2000s, a large repair may not be worthwhile.
• Location. Attic installs take longer to drain and reach than garage ones.
• Extras. Worn shutoffs, flex lines or a missing drain pan add time.
• Replacement. A new unit inside city limits goes through Building & Inspections.

Local conditions in Fayetteville

Fayetteville is the Fayette County seat, and its housing is young. Census estimates put the median build year at 1999, with only about 9% of homes older than 1980. Many heaters here are originals or first replacements, now at the age when tanks start to fail.

Water depends on the address. The City of Fayetteville runs its own water and sewer, blending water from city wells, which supply about half, with water bought from the Fayette County Water System's lakes, disinfected with chlorine. Some homes with a Fayetteville mailing address are outside city limits and pay Fayette County Water System instead. The city owns the line to and including the meter; the service line from the meter to the house is the owner's, and the city does not locate leaks on it.

Inside city limits, permits and inspections go through Building & Inspections, operated by SAFEbuilt, using BS&A Online. Atlanta Gas Light is the gas operator for Fayette County.

Short checklist

• Close the cold supply valve above the tank if water is escaping
• Turn off the breaker, or set a gas control to off
• Check your bill to see whether you're on city or county water
• Clear a path to the heater
• Smell gas? Leave first, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321