In Winston, a water heater that quits usually has one worn part, like an element, a thermostat, a thermocouple or a valve, and a plumber can generally replace it in one trip. A tank leaking through its own wall must be replaced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Winston.
Winston is a small unincorporated community in western Douglas County along I-20; its town charter was repealed in 1995. Homes here run on a mix of fuels: in ZIP 30187, about 51% of houses heat with electricity, 42% with utility gas and about 5% with bottled or tank gas, which suggests some homes are off the natural gas grid. Census estimates for the area put the median build year at 1994, with about 23% of homes built before 1980. The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority (WSA) supplies water from the Dog River Reservoir, disinfected with free chlorine. WSA owns the meter and street-side lines; the owner is responsible from the meter to the house.
What to do now
- Gas smell first. If you smell gas, leave first and call 911. Then call your gas utility from outside: Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 or Austell Natural Gas System at 770.948.1841, option 1, whichever your bill shows. Propane customers call their propane supplier.
- 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.
Symptoms by fuel
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Electric heater cold | Element, thermostat, high-limit reset |
| Gas or propane pilot goes out | Thermocouple, flame sensor, draft |
| Hot water runs short | Lower element, sediment, dip tube |
| Relief valve dripping | Worn valve or pressure |
| Water under the tank | Drain valve, fittings or failed tank |
What affects the cost
- Fuel type. Propane units need parts set up for propane; electric repairs are often simplest.
- The failed part. Elements and thermocouples are routine.
- Location. Closet and attic installs take longer.
- Permit. Winston is unincorporated, so Douglas County Building Permits & Inspections handles plumbing permits.
Some Winston properties in the Dog River basin are not on municipal sewer and use private onsite wastewater systems, which WSA requires to be kept in good repair as a condition of water service. It doesn't change a heater repair, but mention it if a plumber asks about drains.
Water Heater Repair questions in Winston
Will a plumber service a propane-fired water heater?
My gas bill comes from a marketer. Who handles a leak at the water heater?
Do I need a permit when a water heater gets replaced here?
How often is it worth draining sediment out of the tank?
More plumbing services in Winston
Water Heater Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Winston, Georgia (Wikipedia)
- Winston-area heating fuel (city-data ZIP 30187)
- Winston housing by year built (ACS via Point2Homes)
- Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority: water service
- Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority water quality report
- Service line responsibility: Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority
- Atlanta Gas Light or Austell Natural Gas System: gas leak and emergency line
- Douglas County Building Permits & Inspections
- WSA: FAQs
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