01What to do in the first ten minutes
A burst pipe can release a lot of water quickly, so speed matters more than anything else. Close the main shut-off valve. Fulton County's water services FAQ says it is typically in the basement or garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet. If the leak is near electrical outlets, panels or appliances, keep clear of standing water and stay safe before trying to stop the flow.
Once the water is off, open a low faucet to drain what is left in the lines, and move belongings away from the wet area. Then work out where the break is. If it is inside the house or between the meter and the house, it is on your side, and a licensed plumber is the right call. If it is at the meter or in the street, call Fulton County at 770-640-3040, the number the County lists for drinking water emergencies north of the Chattahoochee River.
02Why the location of the break matters
Fulton County says the County owns the water service line from the main in the street to the meter, and the property owner owns the line from the meter to where it enters the building. The County's service lateral flyer puts it in practical terms: if the lateral between your home and the meter leaks or breaks because of aging or the natural effects of seasonal changes, repairs are your responsibility; if the break is between the meter and the main, they are the County's.
Many homeowners do not realise they own their service line until it fails. The County's flyer says exactly that, comparing the line to a driveway that the owner would replace if damaged. If your yard line fails, a plumber will usually need to dig, and Georgia 811 asks anyone digging to contact 811 first so buried utilities can be located and marked.
03Frozen pipes
Pipes in exterior walls, garages and attics are the most exposed to freezing weather. When a pipe freezes, the line may not split until it thaws, so a frozen pipe should be treated as a possible burst. Keep the shut-off valve handy while the pipe thaws, and watch for drips and spreading damp patches.
If water does not flow from a faucet on a cold morning, check other fixtures. If only one is affected, the freeze is probably local to that run of pipe. A plumber can locate and thaw it safely and replace any split section. Our emergency steps cover who to call for what.
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Free Quote Request04Repairs, permits and licenses
Georgia law requires anyone contracting or performing plumbing for hire to be licensed, as the City of Alpharetta's residential permitting procedures note under O.C.G.A. 43-14. The City's plumbing permit application lists a Water Install / Repair line item, and the procedures say that for night or weekend emergency repairs a subcontractor permit is still required, obtained by the installer on the next City business day. See plumbing permits in Alpharetta for details.
To confirm a plumber's license class, see our Georgia license check guide. A Class I Master Plumber may work on single-family homes; a Class II Master Plumber has no restrictions, according to the Secretary of State's plumbing division.
05What a burst pipe does to your bill
Water that runs through the meter before you close the valve is billed. From April through October, Fulton County bills residential water in three tiers based on your winter average, so a large leak can push a month's usage into the higher tiers. Sewer volume charges also apply per 1,000 gallons. Our leak cost calculator estimates what extra usage adds at the County's 2026 rates, and our high bill guide explains each line of the bill.
Once the repair is done, Fulton County accepts leak adjustment requests for leaks classified as non-routine and not preventable by proper maintenance. You will need a copy of the plumber's repair bill, or a receipt for materials if you did the repair yourself. The County says a credit is not guaranteed and usually reduces rather than eliminates the bill. See our leak adjustment guide.
06Preventing the next one
Know where your shut-off is, and test that it turns. Look at exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and attics before winter. Fulton County's conservation page suggests smart leak detectors for continual monitoring, from sensors that warn about a failing appliance to in-line flow monitors that can alert you to a leak and even shut the water off in an emergency.
If you want a licensed plumber to assess or repair a burst or frozen pipe, a Free Quote Request lets independent local plumbers contact you.