Plumber for Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights Mid-century homes, modern renovations, original pipes underneath.
Cheney Woods' 200+ homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s, mostly traditional ranches, many renovated in recent years. Smyrna Heights is a mid-century neighborhood within walking distance of downtown. Both have the charm of the post-war era and, often, its original sewer laterals and supply lines.
Short answer: In Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights, the main plumbing concerns are original 1950s and 1960s piping hiding behind renovations: galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals, plus questions about what a past remodel actually replaced. Renovating? It is the best time to update pipes. Both neighborhoods are on City of Smyrna water. Call (470) 357-0172 any time.
Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights at a glance
| Cheney Woods homes | 200+ homes, mostly traditional ranches | City of Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Cheney Woods built | 1950s and 1960s, many renovated in recent years | City of Smyrna |
| Cheney Woods neighbors | Adjacent to Campbell High School, Cobb Park and Ward Park | City of Smyrna |
| Smyrna Heights | Mid-century homes, no single entrance or shared amenity area | City of Smyrna |
| Walkability | Both within walking distance of downtown and Market Village | City of Smyrna |
| ZIP code | 30080 | USPS |
Post-war plumbing behind renovated walls
Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights were built in the first wave of Smyrna's post-war growth, when the population was climbing from about 2,000 toward 20,000. Homes from the 1950s and 1960s were built with the materials of the day: galvanized steel or copper supply lines, cast iron drains inside, and clay or cast iron sewer laterals outside.
The renovation question
The City notes that many Cheney Woods homes have been renovated in recent years, and mid-century homes in Smyrna Heights are popular candidates for updates too. A renovated kitchen and new bathrooms look new, but what matters for plumbing is whether the pipes behind them were replaced. Common situations:
- New fixtures connected to original galvanized supply lines in the walls or crawl space
- New PVC drains inside tied into an original cast iron stack or clay lateral
- A new water heater on old pipe with no expansion tank or proper relief valve piping
- Additions with plumbing run through spaces that were not built to stay warm in a freeze
If you are buying or renovating, find out what was replaced. If walls are open, it is the easiest moment to repipe.
Laterals at 60 to 70 years old
Sewer laterals installed in the 1950s and 1960s have been in the ground a long time. Clay joints shift and let roots in; cast iron corrodes. Slow drains throughout the house, gurgling, and backups that return after cleaning point to the lateral. A camera inspection is the place to start. See sewer line repair.
Parks and schools next door
Cheney Woods sits next to Campbell High School, Cobb Park and Ward Park. That is a lifestyle plus, and it also means sewer and water mains in the area serve more than homes. If a backup or pressure problem seems to affect the whole street, call the City first.
Common plumbing jobs in Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights
Repiping during renovation
Open walls are the best time to replace galvanized supply lines with PEX or copper.
RepipingWater heater upgrades
New heaters installed to code with expansion tanks and proper relief piping.
Water heatersHidden leaks after remodels
Leaks at new-to-old pipe connections behind finished walls.
Leak detectionWhere we work
We serve Cheney Woods, next to Campbell High School, Cobb Park and Ward Park and within walking distance of Market Village, and Smyrna Heights, the mid-century neighborhood near downtown that has no single entrance and blends into the surrounding streets. Smyrna Heights is close to two larger public parks with a pool, tennis courts, ball fields and trails.
Both neighborhoods border Market Village and Williams Park. We also serve Forest Hills and Belmont Hills and King Springs.
Built in Smyrna's first big boom
The plumbing in these neighborhoods dates from the years when Smyrna changed from a small railroad town into a growing suburb.
A small town
Smyrna counted 2,005 residents in the 1950 census.
Lockheed arrives
Lockheed reopened the nearby bomber plant, bringing jobs and a wave of new housing.
Past 10,000
By the time the Belmont Hills shopping center opened in 1954, Smyrna had passed 10,000 residents for the first time.
Cheney Woods is built
More than 200 traditional ranch homes went up, many now renovated.
Nearly 20,000
The 1970 census counted 19,157 residents.
Renovating a mid-century Smyrna home? Plan the plumbing first
- Get a plumbing assessment before demolition. Know what supply, drain and sewer pipe the house has before you finalize your plans.
- Repipe while walls are open. It is far less disruptive than opening finished walls later.
- Camera the sewer lateral. A new bathroom on a failing lateral is a backup waiting to happen.
- Replace the main shutoff and fixture valves. Quarter-turn valves are a quick add during a remodel.
- Plan the water heater location with a drain pan, proper venting and room for service.
- Pull permits. Permitted work is inspected, which protects you and helps at resale.
- Keep paperwork. Buyers and insurers ask what was replaced and when.
If you are buying a renovated home here, ask the seller for permit records and which pipes were replaced. A camera inspection of the sewer lateral before closing is money well spent.
City water and sewer rules for these neighborhoods
Cheney Woods and Smyrna Heights are on City of Smyrna water and sewer. The City repairs leaks up to your meter and inside the meter box on the street side. The service line from the meter to your house, all indoor plumbing, and the sewer lateral are the homeowner's responsibility.
The City's Water and Sewer Division says its service line inventory found the system lead free. If you replace your service line from the meter to the home, the City asks customers to let it know so the inventory can be updated. Call Public Works at (770) 431-2850, or (770) 434-6666 after hours.
Plumbing during a renovation
Assess
We document existing supply, drain and sewer piping before demo.
Plan
A written scope for what to replace now and what can wait.
Rough-in
New lines and valves installed while walls are open.
Inspect
Permit inspection before walls close.
Finish
Fixtures set, tested and leak-free.
All plumbing services in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights
- Emergency plumber in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: 24/7 burst pipes, no water, backups and leaks.
- Drain cleaning in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Clogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main line backups.
- Leak detection & slab leaks in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Hidden leaks in walls, slabs and yard lines.
- Pipe repair & repiping in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Burst pipes, polybutylene and galvanized replacement.
- Water heater repair & installation in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Tank and tankless repair and replacement.
- Sewer line repair in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Camera inspection, roots, breaks and replacement.
- Water line repair in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Main service line from the meter to the house.
- Toilet & faucet repair in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights: Running toilets, drips, fixtures and disposals.
Local guides for Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights homeowners
Plumbing questions in Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights
Do Cheney Woods homes still have original pipes?
Some do. Homes built in the 1950s and 1960s may still have original galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains or clay sewer laterals, even after a cosmetic renovation.
Should I repipe during my renovation?
If the house has original galvanized or old copper supply lines, yes, it is the best time. Walls are already open.
How do I know what a previous renovation replaced?
Ask the seller for permit records, look at exposed pipe in the crawl space and at the water heater, and consider a plumbing inspection and sewer camera before closing.
Is Smyrna Heights on city water?
Yes, Smyrna Heights and Cheney Woods are on City of Smyrna water and sewer.
Does Smyrna have lead pipes?
The City of Smyrna says its service line inventory found its system lead free and publishes the inventory online.
Why do my drains back up even after cleaning?
In older laterals, roots, cracks or sags are common. A camera inspection shows the cause.
Do I need a permit to replace pipes?
Repipes, water heater replacements and line replacements commonly require permits. A licensed plumber handles them.
Nearby areas we serve
See every neighborhood on our Smyrna service areas page, or go back to our Smyrna plumbing services overview.
Written and reviewed by Alex, a Smyrna local with an MBA who researches and edits every page on this site, citing official and published sources. Updated October 25, 2026.
Plumbing work is performed by independent, licensed Georgia plumbers. General information, not legal or insurance advice.
Renovating or dealing with old pipes? Call.
Tell us what you are planning or what is happening. We will help you decide what to replace now and what can wait.