In Clarkston, the city handles storm drains only; sewer belongs to DeKalb County, and the city directs sewage problems to DeKalb County Water and Sewer. More than half of Clarkston homes predate 1980, so the private pipe from the house to the county system is often old enough to fail. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston's sewer in brief
Clarkston is a small inner-ring DeKalb city just outside I-285, often called the most diverse square mile in America. Its housing is largely 1970s and 1980s apartments and homes: the median dates to about 1979, roughly 53% predate 1980, and about 31% were built in the 1970s alone. Laterals from that era are often cast iron or clay, prone to corrosion, cracked joints and roots.
The city's public works FAQ is clear on the split: Clarkston handles storm drains, and anything involving sewage, including missing manhole lids, goes to DeKalb County. So the city itself won't come out for a sewer backup, and the pipe on your property is a private plumber's job.
What to do now
- Stop running water in the house or unit.
- Keep people and pets away from any sewage, and open windows.
- If you rent, notify your landlord or property manager right away.
- For a backup that may be in the public sewer, call DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200, the number the city lists; DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line is 770-270-6243.
- If it's only your home, find the cleanout and call a plumber.
Symptoms and what they suggest
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water rises in the tub when the toilet flushes | Blockage in the building sewer |
| Gurgling during laundry | Partial clog downstream |
| Repeat clogs every few weeks | Roots at a cracked clay joint |
| Rusty flakes in cleared debris | Corroding cast iron |
| Sewage odor in the yard | Broken pipe leaking into soil |
Cost factors
- Pipe depth and how much of it is damaged
- Pavement, walkways or trees over the line
- Spot repair, lining or replacement
- Whether a cleanout must be added
- City of Clarkston permits; the city requires permits for new plumbing and for fixture work that alters piping, through its SagesGov portal
Expect the plumber to clear the line and camera it before quoting. With 1970s pipe, the footage often shows more than one weak spot, and seeing them all helps you decide between a single repair and a longer-lasting fix for the whole lateral. In apartment and condo buildings, the shared building sewer is usually the owner's or association's responsibility, so renters should let management arrange the work.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Clarkston
Who do I call if the backup might be in the public sewer main?
Sewage is coming up in a tub or floor drain. What should I do right away?
What is the sewer pipe under a house this age likely made of?
Will grease and wipes really damage my sewer line?
More plumbing services in Clarkston
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