Clarkston's housing is mostly 1970s and 1980s homes and apartments, so toilet repairs here often mean aging tank parts, a dried-out seal and sometimes an old flange or stop valve. Most toilets can still be fixed. 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, long a refugee-resettlement hub. Its median home was built around 1979, more than half predate 1980, and about 31% date from the 1970s alone. Water and sewer are managed by DeKalb County; the city handles storm drains only. DeKalb owns the service line from the main through the meter, and the owner is responsible from the meter to the home's plumbing. Here is what to do when a toilet acts up.
Steps to take now
- Close the stop valve behind the toilet. Original valves from the 1970s can be stiff, so turn gently.
- If it will not move, hold the flapper closed and shut off the main.
- Stop flushing until the bowl drains down.
- Check the tub. If it gurgles or fills when you flush, the clog is in the line.
- Sewage backing up on the property or at a manhole? The city directs those reports to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200; DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line is 770-270-6243.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Tank refills when nobody flushed | Hardened flapper or worn seat |
| Water on the floor after flushing | Dried-out seal, possibly a corroded flange |
| Handle needs jiggling | Chain or handle arm worn |
| Bowl drains slowly | Partial clog or blocked rim jets |
| Several fixtures back up | Blockage in the sewer line |
What affects the cost
- Tank parts compared with resetting the toilet on a new seal
- Flange or subfloor repairs in an older home
- Replacing an original stop valve and supply line
- Where the clog sits
- A replacement toilet, if needed
- Time of the visit
Clarkston requires a permit for fixture work that alters piping, through its trade permit application. A like-for-like toilet swap may not, but the plumber can confirm. In apartment buildings, check with the property manager before calling, since repairs are often arranged through them. For a house, mention the age of the home and whether water has reached the floor.
In 1970s homes, the seal under a toilet that has never been pulled may simply have dried out after four decades, and the flange beneath it may be cast iron that has started to rust. A plumber resetting the toilet will usually check both, along with the stop valve, while the water is off.
Toilet Repair questions in Clarkston
Is a permit needed to replace a toilet here?
Who do I call if sewage is backing up from the street side?
My toilet refills by itself every so often. What causes that?
The bowl is about to overflow. What do I do first?
More plumbing services in Clarkston
Toilet Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: