Atlanta plumbing guides
Written for houses in this city: old clay laterals, oak roots, heavy storms, the odd hard freeze, and a city that makes the owner responsible for the pipe to the street.
If something is going wrong right now, the emergency plumbing page comes before any of these. If you are trying to understand a quote, start with the cost guide and the lateral guide. If you are buying an older house, read the one about scoping the sewer before your due diligence period runs out.
What a Plumber Costs in Atlanta (2026)
What Atlanta plumbing companies generally quote for drain clearing, jetting, camera inspections, sewer repairs and water heaters, and what moves the price.
Who Pays for an Atlanta Sewer Lateral?
In the City of Atlanta the owner maintains the whole sewer lateral, street section included. What the city owns, and how DeKalb and Fulton differ.
Tree Roots in Old Atlanta Sewer Lines
Why oak roots get into intown Atlanta clay sewer laterals, what clearing does and does not fix, and how to choose between cutting, lining and replacing.
Why Basements Back Up in Atlanta Storms
Heavy Atlanta rain and sewer backups in basements: open cleanouts, roof drains tied to the sewer, surcharging mains, and what a backwater valve does.
Scope the Sewer Before Buying Intown
Buying an older intown Atlanta house? Why a sewer camera inspection belongs in the due diligence period, what the footage shows, and how to use it.
Frozen Pipes in Atlanta: What to Do First
Atlanta hard freezes, crawlspace pipes and burst lines: preparing before a cold snap, thawing a frozen pipe safely, and what to do when one splits.
When Atlanta Plumbing Work Needs a Permit
Which plumbing jobs the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings lists as needing a permit, who pulls it, and how to check the licence on your plumber.
Reading because the basement drain did something alarming last night? Find the outdoor cleanout, stop running water, and call. The guides will still be here afterwards.
Describe the problem
Say what is happening and a local plumbing company will call you back within one business day. Phones answered Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm. Night cover is set by the plumber. Or call (470) 243-2699. If water is still coming in or sewage is coming up, call instead.
Which guide answers your question
“Is this my problem or the city’s?”
The lateral guide, which quotes the City of Atlanta’s rule and explains how DeKalb and Fulton County differ. If it only happens in storms, the basement backup guide as well.
“Why does this keep coming back?”
The tree roots guide. Recurring main-line backups every year or so in an old house are roots until shown otherwise.
“Is this quote reasonable?”
The cost guide, then the permits guide to check what should be included.
“It is going to drop into the teens tonight.”
The frozen pipes guide, while there is still time to close the crawlspace vents.