Norcross no longer runs its own sewer; Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources took over the city system in 2013, and county rules make the property owner responsible for the entire sewer lateral. A sewer camera inspection films that line so you can see what is causing slow drains or backups. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Norcross.
Norcross is a historic 1870 railroad town in southwest Gwinnett, with a town-square downtown and homes ranging from older houses near the center to later subdivisions. The median home dates to 1990, and about 18% predate 1980. Since 2013, water and sewer have been Gwinnett County's, and the county replaced the old city water meters with its own. Under Gwinnett's resident-responsibility rules, the owner is responsible for the entire sewer lateral, so the full run from the house to the county connection is worth understanding before you approve any repair.
What to do now
- Hold off on water use. Pause the washer, dishwasher and long showers.
- Look at the pattern. If only one sink is slow, it is probably that branch. Several fixtures together suggest the main line.
- Check the public side. If sewage is coming from a manhole or the street, report it to Gwinnett Water Resources.
- Locate the cleanout. It is usually a capped pipe near the house.
- Get the line cleared and filmed. The footage shows the cause and the distance from the cleanout, which matters when you own the whole run.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Toilet gurgles when the tub drains | Partial blockage in the main |
| Clog returns within months | Roots or a sag trapping debris |
| Lowest drain overflows first | Restriction past that drain |
| Damp strip in the yard | Crack or separated joint |
| Rough, narrowed pipe on video | Scale in older drain pipe |
Cost factors
- Access. An outdoor cleanout is easiest; older homes may lack one.
- Clearing. A full line must be opened first.
- Length. Under Gwinnett's rules you own the whole lateral to the county connection.
- Extras. Locating defects from above and a saved video.
Older homes near downtown and along Buford Highway are where older pipe materials with more joints are most likely. If the camera points to a repair, the City of Norcross Community Development Department issues plumbing trade permits, with documents uploaded to the city's ePlan portal. A copy of the footage makes it easier to compare repair quotes and to show the county where a defect sits if it turns out to be at the connection.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Norcross
Which part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
Why does my main drain keep clogging after it has been cleared?
Does a repair found on camera need a permit?
What happens if the house has no cleanout?
More plumbing services in Norcross
Sewer Camera Inspection nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: