Since 2013, Gwinnett County has run the water and sewer system that Norcross used to operate, and Gwinnett is responsible only up to the meter. A leak under the slab is the owner's to repair, and the City of Norcross issues the plumbing permit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.
Norcross is an 1870 railroad town in southwest Gwinnett with a historic square downtown. Gwinnett County took over the city water and sewer system in 2013 and replaced city meters with county meters. Census survey figures via Point2Homes put the median home at 1990, with about 18% built before 1980. Gwinnett maintains the meter and the small pipe from the main to it; the private service line and everything inside belong to the owner.
What to do first
- Shut off all water use, including irrigation and appliances.
- Find the Gwinnett meter and watch the leak indicator for several minutes.
- Rule out toilets and outdoor faucets.
- Look and feel for warm, damp or cracked floor areas.
- Close the main if water is pooling.
- Call a plumber for a pressure test, or Gwinnett's dispatch line for a break on the county side.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| A warm area on a ground-floor slab | Hot water line leaking beneath |
| Meter moving with dry floors | Cold line leak or private service line leak |
| Tile cracking with damp grout | Moisture pushing up from below |
| Constant water heater cycling | Hot water escaping |
| Steady bill increase | A slow leak getting worse |
What goes into the cost
- Leak locating time and tools
- Repair through the floor or a bypass line
- The flooring over the leak
- Repairs from water damage
- A city trade permit for work that alters piping
The City of Norcross issues plumbing trade permits and requires one for plumbing work that alters piping, with documents uploaded to its ePlan portal. A reroute of a buried supply line falls into that category.
Repair choices in Norcross
Norcross homes range from older houses near the downtown square to 1980s and 1990s subdivisions. In the older homes, copper under the slab may be due for replacement, and a reroute through walls or the attic avoids a second leak in the same run. In newer homes, the cause is more often one joint or a construction defect, and a direct repair through a small floor opening is usually enough. Either way, the plumber should confirm the location with a pressure test before any concrete is cut. Clear access to the water heater and main shutoff before the visit so testing can start right away.
Slab Leak Repair questions in Norcross
Who is responsible for a leak between the meter and the house?
Is a permit needed for slab leak work here?
How do I find out which utility supplies my water?
Can a cold water line leak under the slab too?
More plumbing services in Norcross
Slab Leak Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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