Leak Detection in Decatur, GA

Why do older Decatur houses hide so many leaks?

Decatur's housing skews old. About 54% of homes in the city were built before 1980, and close to a quarter date from 1939 or earlier, especially in close-in neighborhoods like Oakhurst. Houses that age often carry a patchwork of pipe: some original galvanized, some copper added during a remodel, some newer plastic tied in at a bathroom. Every transition between materials is a spot where a slow leak can start, and in a crawl space or behind plaster it can run a long time before anyone notices.

Who fixes what between the street and my faucets?

DeKalb County Watershed Management owns the service line from the main to the meter, including the meter, which usually sits in a pit outside the house. Everything from the meter to your plumbing is yours. If water is pooling at the meter pit or bubbling up in the street, call DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line, 770-270-6243. If the meter keeps turning with everything off and the street side is dry, the leak is on your side and needs a plumber. DeKalb also keeps a public service line inventory called Check your line, where owners can see what their service line is recorded as.

Will the repair need a city permit?

Inside city limits, almost certainly if pipe is replaced. The City of Decatur requires a separate plumbing, sewer, gas or drainage permit regardless of the job's value, and applications go only through its Community Core online portal, handled by the Design, Environment and Construction Division. Keep in mind that the Decatur mailing ZIPs reach well beyond the city into unincorporated DeKalb, where DeKalb County issues permits instead. A plumber working your address will know which office applies.

A Decatur note

Old-house leaks often show up as small things first: a ceiling stain under a clawfoot tub, a soft spot in heart-pine flooring near the kitchen, or a musty smell from the crawl space after rain stops. Take a meter reading before you call so the plumber can judge how fast water is leaving. Mention any past remodels, too, since knowing where newer pipe was tied into old helps the plumber decide where to listen first.