A Princeton water heater that leaks from the tank, gives rusty water or keeps failing is usually best replaced. Most homes here are older, so the plumber will often update the connections around the new tank. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Princeton.
Princeton homes and water
Princeton is a small eastern Johnston County town with older housing: about 57% of homes were built before 1980, and the median dates to 1977, according to Census survey figures. Heaters in those houses often sit in a utility room, hall closet or back porch, with valves and connectors that have been in place for decades.
The Town bills water and sewer at Town Hall. Out in the rural 27569 area, homes are a mix of Johnston County water and private wells. Well users should expect more sediment in a tank, so ask the plumber to show you how to flush the new heater and how often. On an older house, also ask whether the shutoff valve and the connectors above the tank should be replaced at the same time.
We couldn't confirm from a Princeton source which office issues plumbing permits; Johnston County Inspections in Smithfield is the likely one. A plumber who works here will know, so ask them to handle it.
Johnston County is listed in Piedmont Natural Gas territory, but many homes around Princeton use electric or propane water heaters. For a gas smell, leave the house and call 911 or Piedmont at 800-752-7504 from outside, or your propane supplier if you're on propane.
Choosing a fuel
| Fuel | Pros | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Electric tank | Simple install, no venting | Slower recovery; needs the right circuit |
| Propane tank | Fast recovery | Venting and a line from the propane tank |
| Natural gas tank | Fast recovery | Only where a gas main reaches the street |
| Heat pump electric | Uses less electricity than a standard electric tank | Needs space and airflow |
Signs to replace
- Water seeping from the tank, not a pipe
- Rust on the outer jacket
- Hot water that's discolored or runs out early
- Frequent repairs on an older heater
Timing
In older homes, it's worth replacing a failing heater before it leaks onto a wood floor or into a crawlspace. If yours is over ten years old and showing signs, plan the swap during mild weather when you have time to choose. It also helps to know ahead of time where your main water shutoff is and which breaker or valve feeds the heater. In a pinch, those two controls stop a leaking tank from getting worse.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Princeton
Which office handles the permit for a replacement water heater here?
There's no natural gas on my street. What can replace my old heater?
What extra work tends to come up in an older house?
How do I know what size tank to get?
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