Dunwoody has no city sewer system; homes drain to DeKalb County Watershed Management. A sewer camera inspection films your drain line from the inside so you can see roots, cracks, sags or blockages and where they sit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody's housing grew up fast in the 1970s, which accounts for roughly 28% of homes, and about 44% were built before 1980 overall. Neighborhoods around Dunwoody Village, Georgetown and Mount Vernon Road often still have original drain lines, and many sit under mature trees. Water and sewer applications go to DeKalb County, not the city. When drains start backing up in a house of that age, it is worth knowing whether you are dealing with a one-time clog or a pipe that has started to fail, and a camera is the most direct way to tell the difference.
What to do now
- Stop adding water. Hold off on laundry and dishes until you know whether the main is blocked.
- Pin down the pattern. One slow fixture is a branch clog; several together usually means the main line.
- Find the cleanout. Look near the foundation or along the path to the street for a capped pipe.
- Know who to call for the street. Sewage coming from a manhole or the road is a DeKalb County issue, not yours.
- Ask for clearing and video together. Filming right after the line is opened shows what caused the clog.
What the camera usually finds
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Backups return a few months after snaking | Roots growing through a joint |
| Water pools in one stretch on video | A sag or belly in the line |
| Sudden full backup after heavy rain | A crack letting groundwater in |
| Toilet gurgles when the tub drains | Partial blockage in the main |
| Rough, scaly interior on video | Aging cast iron drain pipe |
Cost factors
- Whether a cleanout is available or entry is through a toilet
- Whether the line must be cleared or jetted before filming
- Length of the run and number of bends
- Marking defects on the surface and saving the footage
If the video points to a repair, Dunwoody handles stand-alone plumbing repairs through single-trade component permits, issued over the counter, online or by mail. Work may not begin until the permit is issued, so build that into your timeline. A clear recording also helps you compare quotes, since each plumber can see the same defect rather than guessing from symptoms. If the problem turns out to be past your property and toward the street, DeKalb Watershed is the agency to contact with what the camera found.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Dunwoody
Is a sewer scope worth ordering before I buy a house here?
Will tree roots show up on the video?
Does a repair found on camera need a permit?
Why does my main drain keep clogging after it has been cleared?
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