Gas Water Heater Repair & Installation in Lithia Springs, GA

Not every gas water heater runs on utility natural gas. Some homes in Lithia Springs have a propane tank outside, and the water heater, furnace or range draws from it. Propane heaters look almost identical to natural gas models, but they are built for a different fuel and pressure, and that affects repair, replacement and safety. Alpha Plumbing and Sewer works on both.

What makes a propane heater different

Propane, also called LP, is delivered to the appliance at a higher pressure than natural gas and carries more heat per cubic foot. The burner orifice, pilot and gas control on an LP heater are sized for that. Connecting a natural gas heater to propane, or the reverse, without the correct conversion can produce an oversized, sooting flame or a weak one that will not heat the tank. Some models can be converted with a kit from the manufacturer; many cannot. The rating plate on the tank states which fuel it was built for, and a replacement has to match the fuel the house actually has.

The supply chain from tank to burner

A typical propane system has a regulator at the tank that drops the pressure, a second regulator near the house that brings it down to appliance pressure, and piping that branches to each appliance. In many homes the tank is leased from the propane supplier, who looks after the tank and its fittings. The house piping, shutoff valve, sediment trap and connector at the heater are on the plumbing side, and that is where our work starts.

Problems that come from the fuel side

• The tank ran empty: the pilot goes out and will not relight until the tank is refilled and air is cleared from the line.
• Low tank on a cold day: a nearly empty tank may not deliver enough pressure, and the flame shrinks.
• A failing regulator: a flame that is too big, too small or uneven, sometimes on several appliances at once.
• A leak in the house piping: a smell near the heater or a supplier who notices the tank emptying faster than expected.

Many suppliers check the system for leaks before turning gas back on after a tank has gone empty. Once they have, relighting the heater follows the steps on its label.

Propane safety in plain terms

Propane is heavier than air, so a leak tends to collect low, in a basement, crawlspace or at the floor of a utility room. An odorant gives it the familiar rotten-egg smell. If you notice it, do not relight anything, flip switches or use a phone indoors. Get everyone out, shut off the tank valve only if it is outside and safe to reach, and call the propane supplier or 911 once you are well away from the house. A propane detector mounted low near gas appliances adds a layer of warning, following its instructions for placement. For other urgent problems, our emergency plumbing line can help once the gas side is safe.

Replacing a propane water heater

The new heater must be an LP model, or one the manufacturer allows to be converted, with the conversion done before it is lit. We check that the supply piping and the regulator can carry the new heater's input along with everything else on the line, that the vent suits the new unit and that the connector and shutoff are in good condition. Homes thinking about leaving propane for hot water altogether sometimes compare an electric water heater or a tankless water heater; our Georgia water heater overview walks through each.

Douglas County permits

Permits for Lithia Springs addresses go through Douglas County's Building Permits & Inspections office, which requires plumbing permits for new and renovation work. Under the county code, those permits generally go to master plumbers holding a state license, with an exception for owners working on the single-family home they live in, and installation should wait until the permit is issued. We handle that step before a replacement goes in.

Propane water heater questions in Lithia Springs

Will a propane water heater work during a power outage?

A standing-pilot propane tank heater needs no electricity, so it keeps heating while the power is out. Models with electronic ignition or a power-vent blower do need power and stop until it returns, although the tank stays warm for a while. If outages are common where you live, that difference is worth weighing when you choose a replacement.

Does a propane water heater need a different vent?

Not in principle. Propane and natural gas tank heaters use the same basic venting types, whether a draft hood into a chimney or flue, a power vent or a direct vent. What matters is that the vent matches the model's instructions for size, material and length. A replacement may still need vent changes if its design differs from the old heater's.

Where should a propane detector be installed?

Because propane sinks, detectors made for it are usually mounted low on the wall, near the water heater and other gas appliances, but the manufacturer's instructions set the exact height and spacing. A detector is a backup, not a substitute for acting on a smell. Test it on the schedule its maker recommends and replace it when it reaches the end of its rated life.

Get the propane heater going again

Propane heater acting up in your Lithia Springs home? Once any gas smell has been dealt with by the supplier, call Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448 and let us know whether the tank was recently filled or ran dry.