Alpharetta's sewer is run by Fulton County, and the county holds owners responsible for the lateral between the house and the property line. With most homes built from the 1980s through the 2000s, many of those pipes are now decades old. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta at a glance
The city doesn't operate water or sewer; Fulton County Public Works provides both and handles the billing. About 57% of homes were built between 1980 and 1999, and the median dates to 1996, so most laterals here are plastic, though many are old enough for settling, root intrusion and joint separation to set in. Trees planted when those subdivisions were new are now mature, and their roots go looking for any joint that leaks a little moisture.
What to do right now
- Stop using water. Every flush or shower adds to whatever is backing up.
- Keep people and pets away from any wastewater on the floor, and open a window.
- Check whether neighbors have the same problem. If they do, call Fulton County's North Fulton sewer line at 404-612-3061, since the main may be blocked.
- If the backup is only at your house, locate the cleanout, usually a capped pipe near the foundation, but don't open it if water is standing in the drains.
- Call for a plumber and note which drain overflowed first.
Symptoms and their likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Basement or lowest-level drain backs up when upstairs fixtures run | Blockage in the main lateral |
| Toilets gurgle when the washer drains | Partial clog or venting problem in the main line |
| Clog returns weeks after clearing | Roots or a sag that holds debris |
| Wet, sunken spot in the yard | Cracked or separated pipe |
| Sewage smell outdoors along the pipe path | Leak at a joint or break |
What affects the cost
- Depth and length of the damaged section, and what sits on top of it
- Whether the pipe can be lined or has to be excavated
- Cleanout access, or the need to install one
- Whether the defect is on your side of the property line; Fulton County's lateral flyer makes the owner responsible up to that line, even when a blockage is in the public right-of-way
- Trade permits through the City of Alpharetta's online portal, plus inspections requested from the city's Inspections Division
A camera inspection after the line is cleared is the step that turns these factors into a real quote. Ask for a copy of the footage; it is useful later if you sell the house or the problem returns.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Alpharetta
Sewage is coming up in a tub or floor drain. What should I do right away?
Which part of the sewer pipe is mine to fix, and which belongs to the utility?
Is it better to fix one section or replace the whole lateral?
Will grease and wipes really damage my sewer line?
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