Clarkston water and sewer are managed by DeKalb County, which owns the line through the meter; leaks from the meter to the house belong to the owner. A plumber can confirm the leak with a meter test and track it to a wall, floor or yard line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston's housing is mostly 1970s and 1980s homes and apartments. The median build year is 1979, about 53% of units predate 1980, and nearly a third were built in the 1970s alone. Plumbing from that era often still has its original valves, water heater connections and supply lines.
What to do now
- Turn off every faucet and appliance and look at the DeKalb meter.
- Note the reading, wait an hour without using water, and look again.
- If the reading changed, close your main shutoff. A meter that keeps moving points to the line between meter and house.
- Check under sinks, behind toilets and around the water heater.
- For water or sewage coming up at the street, call DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line, 770-270-6243. The city refers sewer problems to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200.
- Renters should tell the property manager right away; leak repairs in rental units usually go through the owner.
What you see and what it usually means
| What you see | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Water under the kitchen sink cabinet | Supply line, shutoff valve or drain joint |
| Stain on a ceiling below another unit | Leak from the bath or kitchen above |
| Meter moves with the house shut off | Crack in the service line from the meter |
| Rust-colored drip at the water heater | Corroded fitting or aging tank |
| Toilet hissing between flushes | Fill valve or flapper not sealing |
Cost factors
- How quickly the leak can be isolated
- Access through slab, crawl space or a shared wall
- Detection equipment needed
- The repair, and whether it needs a city permit; Clarkston requires a permit for water heater replacement and for fixture work that alters piping, applied for through its online portal
DeKalb Watershed owns the service line from the main to the meter, including the meter. From the meter to the home's plumbing, the property owner is responsible.
What happens when you call
You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Clarkston. Tell them whether it is a house or an apartment, how long the bill has been high, and where you've noticed water. In multi-unit buildings, the plumber may need to check the unit above or beside yours before opening a wall, because water travels along pipes and framing before it shows.
Leak Detection questions in Clarkston
How can I check my water meter for a hidden leak?
Is a leak at the meter box my problem or the utility's?
Can a running toilet really raise my water bill?
Do I need a permit to repair a leaking pipe?
More plumbing services in Clarkston
Leak Detection nearby
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