Dunwoody is on DeKalb County water, and DeKalb is responsible for the service line from the main through the meter. From the meter to the house, the line belongs to the homeowner, and the repair needs a Dunwoody single-trade permit before work begins. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody's housing is older than many northern suburbs: about 44% of homes were built before 1980, and the 1970s alone account for roughly 28%. A lot of service lines around Dunwoody Village and along Chamblee-Dunwoody and Mount Vernon roads have been underground for 45 years or more, which makes repeat leaks more common.
The county owns the pipe through the meter, so anything past it is yours. The good news is that a line this old usually announces itself before it fails completely, with a slow rise in the bill, a damp spot that keeps coming back, or a gradual loss of pressure.
Steps to take first
- Stop the flow. Close the main valve where the line enters the house. If water is pouring from the meter pit or the leak is before your valve, call DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line, 770-270-6243.
- Confirm it's the supply line. With all fixtures off, watch the meter. Movement means a leak on your side.
- Save water for the day. Fill a few containers before shutting off if you have time.
- Mark the spot. Note where water surfaces and photograph it.
- Don't dig blind. Gas, electric and cable lines often share the front yard with the water service.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Wet spot between the street and the house | Leak on the buried service line |
| Water in the meter pit | DeKalb's side; report it to the county |
| Rust-tinted cold water in a 1970s house | Possible galvanized pipe corroding inside |
| Pressure low everywhere | Underground leak or a failing pressure regulator |
| Damp basement wall near the pipe entry | Failed fitting or wall penetration |
What affects the cost
- Material. Older galvanized pipe usually isn't worth splicing, so replacement may be recommended.
- Entry point. Many Dunwoody homes have basements, and a line coming through a finished basement wall takes more care.
- Route. Long driveways and big trees add excavation time.
- Permit. Dunwoody issues single-trade component permits for stand-alone plumbing repairs, over the counter, online or by mail, and work can't start until it's issued.
- Irrigation. DeKalb requires annual testing of the backflow assembly on separate irrigation taps; a new line must keep it connected.
Water Line Repair questions in Dunwoody
Can a buried water line freeze during a Georgia cold snap?
Where does the utility's pipe end and mine begin?
When is replacing the whole line smarter than patching one spot?
Is a permit needed to repair or replace a water service line here?
More plumbing services in Dunwoody
Water Line Repair nearby
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