Inside city limits, the City of Buford runs its own sewer system, so trouble in the street goes to the city while clogs in a home's drains go to a plumber. Buford-mailing addresses outside the city may be on Gwinnett County instead. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Buford.
What happens when you call
The number connects you with an independent plumber who covers Buford. You'll be asked which fixtures are slow and whether water has come up where it shouldn't. That decides the equipment: a hand auger for one sink, a machine cable or jetter for the main.
At the house, the plumber locates the cleanout, opens the line and runs water to check it. If the line has a history of clogs, or roots or debris come back on the cable, a camera inspection can show the cause.
What decides the cost
- Location: a trap clog is quick; a blocked building sewer takes longer.
- Access: an outdoor cleanout saves time over pulling a toilet.
- Tools: cable, jetter and camera work may be separate charges.
- Condition: a broken or sagging section means repair work.
- Timing: after-hours visits usually cost more.
Local conditions
Buford, once known as "The Leather City," runs its own water, sewer and natural gas utilities. The City of Buford Sewer Department operates the collection system and a wastewater treatment plant, and it runs a fats, oils and grease program because grease causes blockages in the sanitary sewer. For a utility emergency after hours, such as sewage coming from a manhole, the city's line is 770-932-7986; customer service is 678-889-4600.
A Buford mailing address isn't a guarantee of city service. Addresses in the 30518 and 30519 ZIPs outside city limits, including Sugar Hill, may be on Gwinnett County water and sewer, and permits for unincorporated addresses go through Gwinnett County. Inside the city, Buford's Inspection Department handles plumbing permits for repair work. Census survey data put the median Buford home at 1996, with about 25% built before 1980; older houses near downtown are the most likely to have cast iron or clay drains.
Before the plumber arrives
- Check your bill to see whether you're on City of Buford or Gwinnett sewer
- Stop using water in the house
- Find the cleanout cap, if you can
- Clear access to toilets and floor drains
- Mention any chemicals already poured in
- Note whether this drain has clogged before
Kitchen grease is the most common household cause here, as the city's grease program suggests, so a slow kitchen sink deserves attention before it turns into a full backup.
Drain Cleaning questions in Buford
If every drain backs up at once, should I call the utility or a plumber first?
Can kitchen grease really block a sewer line?
Does clearing a clogged drain require a permit?
Should I have the line inspected with a camera after it's cleared?
More plumbing services in Buford
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