Clarkston's water and sewer are managed by DeKalb County, but the drains and building sewer on a property are the owner's. With more than half of Clarkston's housing built before 1980, older pipe is a common factor. 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 known as a refugee-resettlement hub and one of the most diverse places in the country. Its housing is largely 1970s and 1980s apartments and homes: census survey data put the median at 1979, with about 53% built before 1980 and roughly 31% in the 1970s alone. Cast iron drains from that era scale and narrow inside. The city handles storm drains only; DeKalb County manages water and sewer.
What to do now
- Stop the water. No flushing, showers or laundry until the line is open.
- Check the scope. One fixture is a local clog. Several, or water at the lowest drain, means the main.
- Report a sewage backup. Clarkston directs sewage problems to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200; DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line is 770-270-6243.
- In an apartment, tell management. A shared building drain may serve several units.
- Protect belongings. Move rugs and items away from the lowest drains.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Rust-colored flakes when a drain clears | Scale inside older cast iron |
| Kitchen sink slow for weeks | Grease narrowing the kitchen line |
| Tub fills when a toilet flushes | Main building drain blocked |
| Neighbors' drains slow at the same time | Shared building drain or the public sewer |
| Clog returns every summer | Roots in an older yard line |
What affects the cost
- Where the blockage is and how far from an access point
- Whether the plumber can use a cleanout or must pull a toilet
- Cable, jetting or camera work
- Repair needs if the old pipe is cracked
- Night and weekend timing
Routine clearing needs no permit. Clarkston requires a trade permit for fixture work that alters piping, so a drain repair goes through the city's Planning & Development office and its online portal.
When you call, you'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Clarkston. Renters should check with their landlord or building manager first, since the owner usually arranges drain work in apartments. Homeowners should mention the age of the house and any past clogs. In a 1970s building, a camera look after clearing can show whether the cast iron is still sound or is starting to crack and scale badly enough to need replacing.
Drain Cleaning questions in Clarkston
Why do drains in older homes clog more often?
If every drain backs up at once, should I call the utility or a plumber first?
Can kitchen grease really block a sewer line?
Why does a drain smell like sewage?
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