An Alpharetta plumbing inspection gives you a plumber's read on the water heater, the visible supply and drain lines, shutoffs and fixtures, plus the sewer lateral on video if you ask. It helps most before a purchase or a remodel. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta houses at a glance
About 57% of Alpharetta homes were built from 1980 through 1999, and the median build year is 1996. Only about 7.8% are older than 1980. That means many houses still carry original or once-replaced plumbing that is now 25 to 45 years old: polybutylene and early plastic fittings in some 1980s subdivisions, aging shutoff valves, and water heaters that may be overdue.
The city runs no water or sewer of its own. Fulton County Public Works serves Alpharetta and splits responsibility at the meter for water: the county repairs the line from the main to the meter, and the owner handles the line from the meter to the house. For sewer, the owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the property line, even if a blockage sits in the right-of-way. That makes a camera run on the lateral a reasonable add-on for an older lot.
Do these first
- Decide what the inspection is for: buying, selling, remodeling or chasing a problem
- Make the water heater, main valve and cleanout easy to reach
- Ask for the water heater age, past repairs and any sewer work done
- Schedule with room to spare before any contract date
- Weigh adding camera work on the sewer line
- Highlight each plumbing item in the home inspector's report
Clues and their usual causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Sewer smell indoors | Dry trap, failed seal or vent issue |
| Smell near the outdoor cleanout | Cracked or blocked lateral |
| Rusty or brown water from the hot side | Water heater tank corrosion or sediment |
| Brown water from every tap | Old galvanized supply pipe rusting inside |
| Gurgling toilet when a sink drains | Partial main drain blockage or a vent problem |
| Several slow drains at once | Buildup or roots in the main line |
| Weak shower pressure | Clogged aerators, a failing regulator or narrowed old pipe |
| Banging when a faucet shuts off | Water hammer from high pressure or loose pipe |
Why quotes differ from house to house
- Optional checks of gas piping, irrigation or a water softener
- Access to pipes: a basement is quicker than a low crawl space or a finished slab house
- Whether a usable cleanout exists for the camera, or one has to be found
- The level of documentation you want, from verbal notes to a written summary with photos
- Whether a sewer camera run is part of the visit
- How many bathrooms, fixtures and water heaters there are to check
Plumbing Inspection questions in Alpharetta
The home inspector already looked at the plumbing. Why bring in a plumber?
Should I add a sewer camera run to the inspection?
Where does my responsibility for the water service line begin?
Who permits repairs the inspection turns up?
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