In an Alpharetta plumbing emergency, close the main water valve before anything else, and if you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta in brief
Alpharetta is an established north Fulton suburb and business hub around Avalon and a revitalized downtown. About 57% of its homes were built between 1980 and 1999, with a median year built of 1996, so original water heaters, supply lines and shutoff valves in many houses are now 25 to 45 years old. Only about 8% predate 1980. The city does not run water or sewer; Fulton County Public Works provides both.
What to do right now
- Close the main. It is usually where the line enters the house, in the garage, basement or near the water heater.
- Shut down the water heater by turning off its gas or power if it is leaking or the house is drained.
- Cut power to wet rooms at the breaker panel.
- Decide whose side it is on. Fulton County repairs the water line from the main to the meter; the owner is responsible from the meter to the house, and for the sewer lateral out to the property line.
- Call the county for public-side problems. North Fulton drinking water emergencies: 770-640-3040. North Fulton sewer: 404-612-3061.
- Call for a plumber for anything on your side.
Symptoms and what usually causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Puddle around the water heater | Tank corrosion or a failed relief valve on an aging heater |
| Water under a sink or behind the toilet | Burst braided supply line or worn shutoff |
| Wet spot in the lawn past the meter | Leak in the owner's service line |
| Several drains backing up together | Blockage in the sewer lateral |
| Ceiling stain under a bathroom | Leaking drain or supply joint above |
What affects the cost
- Time of day. Night, weekend and holiday visits usually cost more.
- Access. A finished basement ceiling or tile wall adds labor compared with an open utility room.
- Repair or replace. A hose is minor; a water heater is not.
- Permits. Alpharetta takes trade permits through its online building, trade and tree permit portal, and inspections go through the city's Inspections Division.
Ask about after-hours pricing when you are connected. Arrival depends on the hour and the plumber's workload, so no specific time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in Alpharetta
Should I call the utility or a plumber first when the sewer backs up?
Are older homes here more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
The water meter keeps spinning with every tap off. What does that mean?
Does a plumber cost more at night or on a weekend?
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