Kennesaw's housing is mostly from the 1990s and 2000s, so many water heaters are reaching the end of their service. The city's Building Services department enforces the 2024 International Plumbing Code with Georgia amendments, and all permits are applied for online. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Kennesaw.
Kennesaw's median home was built in 1998, and only about 11% predate 1980. That means a big wave of original or first-replacement tanks reaching their late teens. Water and sewer come from Cobb County Water System, and permits come from the City of Kennesaw.
What to do now
- Stop the inflow. Close the cold valve above the heater.
- Shut off energy. Breaker off for electric, control to off for gas.
- Catch the water. Garage installs can usually drain to the floor; attic and closet installs need towels and buckets right away.
- Gather the details. Fuel, gallons and the date from the label.
- If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Atlanta Gas Light's leak line is 877.427.4321; its service to Kennesaw was not confirmed, so check your bill.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pooling at the base | Tank rusted through |
| Relief valve dripping or discharging | Thermal expansion or a worn valve |
| Rust-colored hot water | Tank corrosion, spent anode |
| Rumbling during heating | Sediment layer |
| No hot water, breaker fine | Element or thermostat failure |
Cost factors
- Type, fuel and capacity of the new unit
- Expansion tank, pan, drain and relief line updates to current code
- Venting and gas connector condition
- Garage, attic or closet access
- The city permit and removal of the old heater
Kennesaw Building Services at 3080 Moon Station Road takes all permits online through its iWorQ portal (770-429-4554, [email protected]). Cobb County Water System supplies Chattahoochee River and Lake Allatoona water treated by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority with free chlorine. Cobb owns the line from the main to the meter, and the pipe from the meter to the house is the owner's. Ask the plumber to confirm the permit is included.
Kennesaw homes often have heaters in the garage, which keeps the work simple, but some newer two-story plans put them in the attic. In those houses a pan and drain under the tank, and a relief line routed to the outside or a drain, protect the ceiling below. Since the inspection follows the current plumbing code, the plumber may also need to add an expansion tank or update the relief line on a house that was built under older rules. Those code items are part of a proper replacement rather than extras, and a clear quote should list them so you can compare prices fairly.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Kennesaw
Who issues the permit for a water heater replacement here?
Will the new heater need a thermal expansion tank?
How can I tell how old my current water heater is?
What size tank should replace the old one?
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