Plumbing Inspection in Atlanta, GA

The age of Atlanta's housing

Census survey data for the City of Atlanta puts the median year built at 1989, and roughly 42.7 percent of homes date from before 1980. Early-1900s bungalow neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland, and other older intown areas, are where a plumber is most likely to find galvanized steel supply lines that have narrowed with rust, cast iron drains that have thinned or cracked, and clay sewer laterals with root intrusion at the joints. Newer homes have their own issues, such as early plastic fittings or a water heater nearing the end of its life.

Good times to schedule one

• During the due-diligence window when buying a house.
• Before a kitchen or bath remodel opens up walls and floors.
• After a backup, an unexplained wet spot or a water bill that jumps.
• When you have owned an older home for years without anyone checking the plumbing.

What gets looked at

Reading the results

Expect a plain list sorted into items that are fine, items to keep an eye on and items that need attention soon. For anything in the last group, ask whether it would need a permit. In the City of Atlanta, new or replacement plumbing in a one- or two-family home is covered by a technical permit from the Office of Buildings, applied for online without plan review.

Before the plumber arrives

Clear access to the water heater, the main shutoff and any crawl space entry. Write down the small things you have noticed, from a gurgling tub to a stain on a ceiling, so they get checked first. Buyers should ask the seller for records of past sewer work or repiping.

What sets the price

Cost depends on the size of the home, the number of bathrooms and fixtures, crawl space or basement access, and whether a sewer camera inspection is part of the visit.