If a Clemmons water heater is leaking from the tank, producing rusty water or failing again after repairs, replacement is usually the sensible move. Clemmons permits go through the joint Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division, and the village's soft city water is easy on new tanks. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clemmons.
Clemmons at a glance
Clemmons grew fast, from about 6,000 people in 1990 to 21,000 in 2020, so most of its homes are 1990s and 2000s subdivisions; the median year built is 1994 and only about 29% predate 1980. That puts a lot of heaters on the same clock. Original tanks from the growth years are long past a normal service life, and many of their first replacements are now aging out too.
What to do right now
- Stop the water. If the tank is leaking, close the cold-water valve on the line feeding the top of the heater.
- Cut the energy. Switch off the breaker for an electric unit, or turn the gas control to off or pilot on a gas unit.
- Protect the floor. Move boxes and belongings away, and put towels or a shallow pan under any drip, especially for a garage or closet heater.
- Read the label. Note the fuel, gallons and manufacture date so the plumber can quote a matching or upgraded unit.
- Think about changes. Decide whether you want the same type or want to discuss tankless, a heat pump or a bigger tank.
If you smell gas at any point, don't flip switches. Leave the house and call 911 or Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504 from outside.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water pooling under the tank | Corroded tank body, or a leaking relief valve or fitting |
| Rusty hot water only | Depleted anode rod and corrosion inside the tank |
| Popping or rumbling sounds | Sediment layer at the bottom of the tank |
| Hot water runs out quickly | Failed element, broken dip tube or an undersized tank |
| Relief valve dripping | High pressure or temperature, or a worn valve |
Clemmons is on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities water, which averaged 17.5 ppm hardness in 2025, so heavy scale is less common than in hard-water regions. Sediment and corrosion still build up over a tank's life.
What affects the cost
- Size, fuel and efficiency class of the new heater
- Upgrades such as tankless or heat pump, with their gas, venting or electrical work
- Garage, attic or closet location and access
- Code items like a drain pan, expansion tank or new shutoffs
- The permit through the joint Inspections Division and haul-away
Water Heater Replacement questions in Clemmons
Who issues the permit for a replacement water heater in this area?
Does the local water supply affect how long a new heater lasts?
Is a tankless unit worth it when the old tank is coming out anyway?
How should I decide how many gallons the new tank needs?
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