Norcross used to run its own water and sewer, but Gwinnett County took over the system in 2013, and the county makes property owners responsible for the entire sewer lateral. A crack, root mass or sag anywhere in that pipe is a private plumber's job. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.
Norcross in brief
Founded in 1870 as a railroad town, Norcross has a historic downtown square surrounded by a mix of older and newer housing. The median home dates to about 1990, and around 18% were built before 1980. Since the 2013 county takeover, Gwinnett County Water Resources handles water and sewer, and its 24-hour report-a-problem line is 678.376.7000.
What to do now
- Stop running water in the house.
- Keep people and pets away from any sewage and ventilate the area.
- Check whether neighbors have the same issue. If so, call Gwinnett's 24-hour line, since the county main may be involved.
- If only your home is affected, find the cleanout near the foundation.
- Call for a plumber and note which fixture backed up first.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Lowest drain fills when a toilet flushes | Blockage in the building sewer |
| Toilet bubbles during laundry | Partial obstruction in the main line |
| Clog returns after clearing | Roots or a sag holding debris |
| Wet, sunken patch in the yard | Cracked or separated pipe |
| Rust-colored scale in cleared debris | Corroding cast iron in an older home |
Cost factors
- Depth of the pipe and where along the run the damage sits
- Pavement, landscaping or trees above it
- Spot repair, lining or replacement
- Whether a cleanout must be added
- City of Norcross trade permits; the city issues plumbing permits from its Community Development Department, with documents uploaded to the ePlan portal
Gwinnett's rule, owner responsibility for the entire lateral, means it's worth understanding the whole line's condition, not just the clogged spot. A camera inspection after clearing shows the material, every defect and the depth, which helps you decide whether one repair will do or whether the line has more trouble ahead. In older homes near the downtown square, the camera may also show where a past owner joined new plastic pipe to original cast iron or clay, a transition that is a common weak point. Ask for a copy of the footage; with the whole lateral in your hands under Gwinnett's rule, it's a useful record when you sell or plan later work.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Norcross
Which part of the sewer pipe is mine to fix, and which belongs to the utility?
Sewage is coming up in a tub or floor drain. What should I do right away?
Does sewer line work need a permit here?
Why do tree roots keep getting into my sewer line?
More plumbing services in Norcross
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