Alpharetta does not run its own sewer; Fulton County Public Works does, and the owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the property line. A sewer camera inspection shows the inside of that pipe, so you can see roots, a sag or a break and where it is. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta is a north Fulton city, and wastewater from its homes goes into Fulton County's sewer system rather than a city-run one. Most Alpharetta subdivisions went in between the 1980s and the 2000s, with about 57% of homes built from 1980 to 1999. Sewer laterals from that era are now 25 to 45 years old. When drains start acting up, a camera is the fastest way to see whether it is a simple clog or a pipe that needs work. Older plastic and early-era fittings can shift as soil settles, and a few decades of landscaping above a line gives roots plenty of time to find a joint.
What to do now
- Cut water use. Pause the washer, dishwasher and showers so less wastewater heads into a line that may be blocked.
- Check the scope. If only one sink is slow, the problem is probably in that branch. If toilets, tubs and the kitchen all struggle, suspect the main line.
- Look for the cleanout. It is usually a capped pipe near the foundation or between the house and the street.
- Rule out the public side. If a manhole or the street is overflowing, call Fulton County's North Fulton sewer line, 404-612-3061.
- Book the camera. Ask for the line to be cleared if it is full, then filmed, with the footage saved for you.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Toilet gurgles when the tub drains | Partial blockage in the main line |
| Clog returns weeks after snaking | Roots or a sag that collects debris |
| Water in the basement floor drain | Main line restriction downstream of the drain |
| Wet patch or odor in the yard | A crack or separated joint in the lateral |
| Only the kitchen sink is slow | Grease in the kitchen branch, not the main |
Cost factors
- Easy cleanout access versus entering through a toilet
- Whether the line must be opened or jetted before filming
- Length of the lateral and number of bends
- Surface locating and a saved recording
Keep in mind that the lateral to the property line is the homeowner's under Fulton County's guidance, so knowing the exact location of a defect helps you understand what you are paying to fix. Any repair needs a trade permit from the City of Alpharetta, applied for through the city's online portal.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Alpharetta
Which part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
Why does my main drain keep clogging after it has been cleared?
Is a sewer scope worth ordering before I buy a house here?
Does grease buildup show on a sewer camera?
More plumbing services in Alpharetta
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