Buying a Post-War Home in Belmont Hills? Plumbing Questions to Ask Before You Close The neighborhood grew in waves. Your plumbing may date from the first one.

A neighborhood built in waves

The Cobb County Courier says the Belmont Hills shopping center opened in 1954, and that the Cobb Chamber of Commerce forecast 1,900 new homes for the Smyrna area by the end of 1955. The center later declined, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on July 30, 2009 that it was being demolished. The owner developed the site as a mixed-use project, and by August 2016 the first businesses were opening.

The result is an area where houses from the 1950s boom and newer construction can sit within a short drive of each other. The plumbing questions are different for each, and this guide is about the older homes. Our Belmont Hills and King Springs page has the local background.

Which utility serves the house?

A Smyrna mailing address does not always mean City of Smyrna water. Parts of unincorporated Cobb County near Belmont Hills and King Springs are served by the Cobb County Water System. The quickest check is the water bill. Under either utility, the homeowner's side works the same way: the City of Smyrna's utility FAQ says the service line from the meter to the house and the sewer lateral to the public main belong to the owner. Cobb County says property owners are responsible for repairs outside the public system, including sewer pipes on their property and internal plumbing. See who fixes what in Smyrna.

Questions to ask the seller

1. What are the supply pipes made of? HomeServe says galvanized steel pipe was commonly used before the 1960s, and some homes built as late as 1980 may still have it.
2. What has been replaced, and when? Ask for invoices and permit records for repipes, water heaters and sewer work.
3. How old is the water heater? Angi gives 8 to 12 years for a tank heater and says a unit older than 10 years likely needs to be replaced.
4. Has the sewer line ever backed up, or been cleaned or camera-inspected?
5. Has the water service line been replaced? The City asks customers who replace the line from the meter to the home to tell it, so its inventory can be updated. Public Works is (770) 431-2850.
6. Any history of leaks, stains under sinks or ceilings, or slow drains?

What to add to a standard home inspection

• A sewer camera. Mr. Rooter's guide says it shows pipe material, age, condition and where roots are.
• A galvanized check. HomeServe says to look for gray or metallic pipe, scratch painted sections to see the color, and check whether a strong magnet sticks.
• A water meter leak test. The EPA says to note the meter reading, compare it after two hours with no water use, and treat any change as a probable leak.
• A toilet dye test. The EPA says to add a drop of food coloring to the tank and check the bowl after 10 minutes.
• A look at the crawl space or basement for rust, drips and wet insulation.

Warning signs during a showing

• Discolored or rusty water from taps, or weak, uneven pressure
• Slow drains or gurgling in more than one fixture
• A sewer smell in the house or the yard
• Stains under sinks, on ceilings or around the water heater
• Mixed pipe materials joined together, or a water heater that is clearly old

Using what you find

If the inspection turns up galvanized pipe, a failing lateral or an old water heater, you can ask for repairs, a credit or a lower price, or plan the work after closing. A written scope from a plumber gives you real numbers to work with. See repiping, sewer line repair and water heaters for what each involves.

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. Published November 3, 2026.

Plumbing work is performed by independent, licensed Georgia plumbers. General information, not legal or insurance advice.