Leak Detection in Jonesboro, GA

Warning signs

• The meter dial turning while no water is in use
• A CCWA bill that has crept up for several cycles
• Peeling paint or soft plaster near a bathroom
• Rusty water at the first draw of the morning
• A crawl space that smells damp when it has not rained
• A sunken or soggy spot along the path from the meter

What is behind leaks in Jonesboro homes

Jonesboro is a small historic county seat, and its housing is old: the median home was built in 1972, and about 69% predate 1980, many in and around the Jonesboro Historic District. Houses that age commonly still carry galvanized or early copper supply pipe, original shutoff valves and service lines from the meter that have been buried for decades. Remodels often joined new pipe to old, and those transitions are a frequent leak point.

The City of Jonesboro refers water and sewer problems to the Clayton County Water Authority, customer service (770) 960-5200, which is also CCWA's number for after-hours emergencies such as large leaks. CCWA's service line runs from the main to the meter; the line from the meter to the house belongs to the customer. CCWA also installs backflow devices at customer connections and tests them every year with its own certified specialists, so homeowners do not hire their own tester.

What affects the cost

• Whether old shutoff valves still close, which speeds isolation
• Crawl space, slab or basement access
• Length and depth of the yard line in older lots
• Detection tools, from gauges to acoustic listening equipment
• The repair itself, and a permit from the City of Jonesboro, where Community Development reviews building permits at City Hall

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Jonesboro. Have a couple of meter readings and a recent bill on hand. The plumber will start at the meter, close the house valve to split yard from interior, then isolate and listen until the leak is pinned down. In an older house, they may also suggest replacing a seized main shutoff while they are there.