Water Heater Repair in Norcross, GA

Norcross water heater trouble usually traces to one part, like an element, a thermostat, a thermocouple or a valve, and a plumber can often replace it in one trip. A tank leaking from its body needs replacing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.

Norcross is an 1870 railroad town in southwest Gwinnett with a historic town square. Census estimates put the median build year at 1990, with about 18% of homes built before 1980. The city no longer runs its own water and sewer: Gwinnett County took over the system in 2013, so water now comes from Lake Lanier through Gwinnett's Shoal Creek and Lanier plants, disinfected with chlorine and soft at about 1.34 grains per gallon. Gwinnett maintains the meter and the pipe to it; everything on the house side is the owner's. The City of Norcross requires a permit to replace a water heater.

What to do right now

Gas smell first. If you smell gas, leave the house without touching switches, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from outside.
Stop the water. Close the valve on the cold line feeding the top of the tank. For a large leak, shut the main at the meter.
Cut the energy. Switch off the heater's breaker, or turn a gas control to off or pilot.
Find the source. Note whether water comes from the relief pipe, the drain valve, a top fitting or the tank bottom.
Read the label. Model, serial number and fuel help the plumber bring the right parts.

Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.

(404) 637-2993

Symptom guide

Symptom	Likely cause
No hot water from an electric unit	Reset tripped, failed element or thermostat
Pilot won't stay lit	Thermocouple or flame sensor
Sulfur smell on the hot side	Anode rod reaction
Short hot showers	Lower element, sediment, dip tube
Drip at the relief pipe	Worn valve or pressure
Leak from the tank body	Failed tank; replace

Cost factors

The failed part. Elements and thermostats are simpler than gas controls.
Anode rod. Swapping a spent rod adds a little time but can extend tank life on soft water.
Location. Attic and closet units take longer.
Permit. Norcross Community Development issues trade permits for water heater replacement and gas piping, with documents uploaded to its ePlan portal.

A faucet or toilet swap with no piping change doesn't appear to need a Norcross permit, but a heater replacement does, so plan for that if the tank has failed.

Water Heater Repair questions in Norcross

Do I need a permit when a water heater gets replaced here?

Yes. Norcross requires a permit to replace a water heater, and for gas piping and fixture work that alters piping. Community Development on Lawrenceville Street issues it through the ePlan portal.

Our county water is soft. Does that change anything for the anode rod?

Gwinnett's average hardness of about 1.34 grains per gallon means little scale, but the anode rod still wears and can cause odors. A rod check is worthwhile during a Norcross repair.

The hot water smells like sulfur. Is the heater to blame?

Often, yes. The smell usually comes from the anode rod reacting with the water inside the tank. A plumber can swap the rod and flush the tank.

The hot water used to last longer. What changed?

On electric heaters a failed lower element is common; sediment or a broken dip tube can also shrink the supply.