Water Heater Replacement in South Fulton, GA

South Fulton conditions first

South Fulton is a large suburban city formed from formerly unincorporated communities such as Cliftondale, Sandtown, Red Oak and Welcome All. The housing ranges from older homes in established areas to newer subdivisions, so a heater swap can be a simple garage replacement or a closet job with older valves and vents.

The city has no water utility of its own. Fulton County provides water only north of the Chattahoochee, so South Fulton's drinking water comes from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Some accounts may be billed through the city or a neighboring city, and edges near Union City, Fairburn, East Point and College Park may be on those systems. Atlanta DWM owns the line from the main to the meter; the property owner is responsible from the meter to the house. Sewer for most of the city is expected to be Fulton County's; its South Fulton sewer emergency line is 404-612-3163.

The City of South Fulton Community Development and Regulatory Affairs Permitting Department processes Trades/MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) permit applications. Call 470-809-7200, ext. 1; City Hall is at 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd. Water heaters are not named on the page, so ask the plumber to confirm.

Repair or replace?

Signs to watch

• Water or rust at the base of the heater
• Discolored hot water
• Rumbling while heating
• Hot water that runs out sooner than it used to

Timing

Worn tanks often fail in the first hard cold spell, when they run longest. Replacing one you know is aging in spring or fall leaves time for the city permit and a tank-versus-tankless comparison. Atlanta Gas Light maintains the area's gas lines; if you smell gas, leave first, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from away from the house. When you call, mention the heater's fuel, size, age and location.