Drains & sewer · Atlanta
Sewer line repair in Atlanta, GA
A damaged sewer line can be fixed with a spot repair, a trenchless liner, pipe bursting or an open-trench replacement. Which one fits depends on what the camera shows, how deep the pipe is, and what's on top of it, such as a driveway, trees or landscaping.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Sewer line repair for Atlanta homes
Sewer repairs are big decisions, so they should start with a camera video and a locator showing exactly where the defect is. One cracked joint near the foundation is a very different job from a line that's collapsed in three places under the street.
For the full guide, including what you can safely do before a plumber arrives, see sewer line repair explained.
Sewer line repair in Atlanta at a glance
- Urgency
- Can be an emergency: shut off the water and call
- Area
- Atlanta, GA
- Who does the work
- An independent, licensed local plumber
- Permit
- Plumbing permits inside the city are issued by the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings.
- Typical steps
- Diagnose → Choose a method → Permit and locate → Repair and inspect
- Availability
- Call now to check plumber availability
Signs you need sewer line repair in Atlanta
- Roots found in the line again and again
- Sewage backing up into the basement
- A camera showing breaks, sags or offset joints
- Sewer smell in the yard
- Unusually green or sunken strips of lawn
Local conditions
Sewer line repair in Atlanta: what's different
Older intown Atlanta laterals of clay or cast iron crack and fill with roots. When cleaning stops working, a camera shows whether a spot repair, a liner or full replacement is needed.
Hilly lots and mature trees make trenchless options attractive. The city has spent years upgrading its system, but the lateral from house to main is the owner's responsibility. Permits come from the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings.
- Water and sewer in Atlanta
- The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management provides water and sewer service inside the city.
- Permits in Atlanta
- Plumbing permits inside the city are issued by the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings.
Atlanta housing and plumbing
Intown neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park and Grant Park have early 1900s homes with clay laterals and galvanized pipe; many homes have basements or crawl spaces.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Atlanta and Fulton County, including Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park, Buckhead, Kirkwood, West End. ZIP codes: 30301 · 30302 · 30303 · 30304 · 30305 · 30306.
Other Atlanta conditions that affect plumbing
- Tree roots in laterals: Atlanta's dense canopy sends roots into clay sewer laterals, causing repeat backups.
- Ice storms: Occasional winter ice storms freeze pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls.
- Heavy rain: Downpours test basements, crawl spaces and sump pumps.
- Water and sewer upgrades: Atlanta has spent years upgrading its aging water and sewer system, and older intown homes still connect to laterals that may be decades old.
How sewer line repair works in Atlanta
- 1
Diagnose
Camera inspection and locating confirm the damage, its depth and its position.
- 2
Choose a method
The plumber explains spot repair, lining, bursting or trenching and why one fits.
- 3
Permit and locate
Permits are pulled and 811 is called to mark buried utilities before digging.
- 4
Repair and inspect
The work is inspected, then the line is cameraed again to confirm it's sound.
What affects sewer line repair cost in Atlanta
Every job is priced by the plumber after they see it. These are the things that move the price most. Ask for the price before work starts.
- Repair method
- Depth and length of pipe
- Driveways, trees or landscaping above the line
- Work in the street or at the main
- Permits and restoration
Sewer line repair questions in Atlanta
Can Atlanta sewer lines be repaired without cutting down trees?
What is trenchless sewer repair?
Who pays for a sewer line under the street?
Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line?
Also in Atlanta
Related
Related plumbing services
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line from your house to the city main and records what it finds: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints or collapsed pipe.
Learn more
Drain cleaning
If one fixture is slow, the clog is usually in that fixture's branch line.
Learn more
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full width of a drain pipe with high-pressure water, washing out grease, scale and fine roots that a cable only punches a hole through.
Learn moreGuides
Read before you call
Drains & sewer
Why is my basement floor drain backing up?
When water comes up through the basement floor drain, the main sewer line is usually blocked between the house and the street. Stop using water upstairs, then call a plumber to clear the main line. If it happens more than once, a camera inspection shows the cause.
Drains & sewer
Should you get a sewer scope before buying a home?
For homes built before about 1980, or with large trees in the front yard, a sewer scope is worth it. A standard home inspection doesn't look inside the sewer line, and in most U.S. cities the buyer will own that line, often all the way to the main.
Need sewer line repair in Atlanta?
Tell us what's going on and your ZIP code. You'll be connected with a licensed plumber who serves your area.
Call now to check plumber availability