A Clarkston plumbing inspection is a plumber's review of the water heater, pipes, drains, valves and fixtures, plus the sewer line on video if you want it. Since most homes here are 40 years old or more, it is a useful step before buying or renovating. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston is a small inner-ring DeKalb city just outside I-285, and its homes and apartments are mostly from the 1970s and 1980s. The median build year is 1979, about 52.8% of units predate 1980, and roughly 31.2% were built in the 1970s alone. Houses of that era can have original water heater venting, older copper or galvanized lines and drains that have been cleared many times.
The city handles storm drains only. Water and sewer belong to DeKalb County, and Clarkston sends sewage backups and missing manhole lids to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200. DeKalb is responsible from the main through the meter; the owner is responsible from the meter to the house. Clarkston's building permit office requires permits for water heater replacement, new plumbing and fixture work that alters piping.
Do these first
- Be clear on why you want the inspection, since that sets the scope
- Schedule with room to spare before any contract date
- Decide whether to add a sewer camera run
- Highlight each plumbing item in the home inspector's report
- Open up the crawl space, attic hatch and the space under sinks
- Ask for the water heater age, past repairs and any sewer work done
What you notice and what it often means
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Gurgling toilet when a sink drains | Partial main drain blockage or a vent problem |
| Several slow drains at once | Buildup or roots in the main line |
| Water at the base of the water heater | Tank leak or a relief valve discharging |
| Popping noise from the water heater | Sediment layer in the tank |
| Rusty or brown water from the hot side | Water heater tank corrosion or sediment |
| Brown water from every tap | Old galvanized supply pipe rusting inside |
| Weak shower pressure | Clogged aerators, a failing regulator or narrowed old pipe |
| Banging when a faucet shuts off | Water hammer from high pressure or loose pipe |
Factors behind the cost
- Finding or opening a cleanout before the camera goes in
- How easy it is to reach the piping, from open basements to tight crawl spaces
- A written findings list for negotiation adds time
- Whether a sewer camera run is part of the visit
- The size of the house and the count of fixtures and appliances
- Extras such as a meter leak test, pressure reading or gas line check
Plumbing Inspection questions in Clarkston
Who handles a problem the plumber traces to the utility's side?
Who permits repairs the inspection turns up?
What usually turns up in a house built before 1980?
Can an inspection find a leak I can't see?
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