Dunwoody has a large share of 1970s homes, so many repipes here replace original copper or galvanized supply lines that have started leaking or losing pressure. A plumber replaces the pipe from the DeKalb meter to each fixture. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody at a glance
About 44% of Dunwoody's housing was built before 1980, and the 1970s alone account for roughly 28%, with the median home dating to 1984. That puts a lot of original supply pipe past the 45-year mark in neighborhoods around Dunwoody Village and Georgetown. Houses from the 1980s add polybutylene to the list of materials worth checking.
DeKalb County Watershed Management supplies the city and maintains the line from the main through the meter; from the meter to the house is yours. Dunwoody issues single-trade component permits for stand-alone plumbing jobs, over the counter, online or by mail, and work may not begin until the permit is issued.
What to do now
- Find the main shutoff and make sure it turns, so you can stop water quickly if a pipe lets go.
- Write down every leak you've had, with dates and rooms, along with any past repairs.
- Look at the pipe beside the water heater and under a sink and note the color and material.
- Check your service line material through DeKalb County's 'Check your line' inventory lookup.
- Hold off on adding more clamps or patch couplings to aging pipe; they can hide how widespread the wear is.
- Call the number on this page to reach a local plumber who can inspect and quote.
What you notice and what it usually means
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Leak returns near the same fitting | Corrosion at joints spreading along an old run |
| Grit in aerators again and again | Scale and rust breaking loose inside old pipe |
| Temperature swings in the shower | Undersized or restricted supply lines |
| Crackling or hissing inside a wall | Pressurized leak on a hidden supply line |
| Stains on a ceiling under a bathroom | Leak on a supply branch above |
| Gray plastic pipe or fittings that crack | Polybutylene nearing the end of its life |
| Water heater outlet pipe rusted through | Mixed metals corroding where they meet |
| Tiny wet spots on copper, often hot side | Pinhole corrosion in aging copper |
What drives the price
- Wall and ceiling finishes: tile, plaster and finished ceilings slow the work and raise the patching bill.
- Extras done at the same visit: it often makes sense to add fresh shutoffs, hose bibs or a pressure regulator while walls are open.
- Access obstacles: cramped crawl spaces, attic insulation and built-ins all lengthen the job.
- Number of stories: a second floor or a bonus room over the garage lengthens runs and adds access points.
- House size and fixture count: more bathrooms, a second laundry or extra outdoor spigots all mean more pipe and more connections.
Repiping questions in Dunwoody
Why does old galvanized pipe lower water pressure?
What causes pinhole leaks in copper pipe?
Does a repipe need a permit, and who issues it?
How long does a whole-house repipe usually take?
More plumbing services in Dunwoody
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