Clarkston's water and sewer are managed by DeKalb County, not the city, so a sewer line replacement in Clarkston is new pipe for the private lateral between your house and DeKalb's sewer. About 53% of the city's homes predate 1980, and laterals from that era are often the ones that need replacing outright. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston at a glance
Clarkston is a small inner-ring DeKalb city just outside I-285, and its housing is largely from the 1970s and 1980s. The median home was built in 1979, about 52.8% predate 1980 and roughly 31.2% went up in the 1970s alone, according to ACS 2019-2023 estimates. Laterals from those years can be clay, cast iron or early plastic, and four decades of roots, settling and grease take a toll on all three. The city itself handles storm drains only; sewage problems belong to DeKalb County.
What to do now
- Stop running the washer, dishwasher and showers so the line isn't asked to carry more.
- Check whether the trouble is shared. If neighbors are affected, or a manhole is overflowing or missing its lid, the City of Clarkston directs those calls to DeKalb County Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200.
- Find your outdoor cleanout. Standing water in it means the blockage is farther toward the street.
- Call for a plumber to clear the line and run a camera through it.
- Use the footage to decide between a section repair and a full replacement.
- Confirm the permit. Clarkston's Planning & Development office issues trade permits for new plumbing and for work that alters piping, through the city's online portal.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Lowest drain in the house overflows first | Obstruction in the main lateral |
| Clog returns a few months after clearing | Roots at open joints or a broken section |
| Toilet bubbles while the tub drains | Flow restricted in the main line |
| Sewage smell or soggy ground in the yard | Cracked pipe leaking into the soil |
| Camera shows standing water in one stretch | A belly where the pipe has settled |
Cost factors
- Length of the run and how deep the lateral sits
- Trenchless versus open-trench, set by the pipe's slope and condition
- Paving, steps or landscaping that must be removed and restored
- Interior drain pipe replaced along with the yard section
- Permit and inspection through the City of Clarkston
Apartment-heavy blocks and small lots near Park North Boulevard can mean tight working room, which sometimes favors a trenchless method if the old pipe still holds its grade. A plumber can tell you after the camera run which approach fits your lot.
Sewer Line Replacement questions in Clarkston
When sewage backs up, should I call the utility or a plumber first?
How can I tell a sewer line needs replacing instead of another repair?
Who issues the permit for replacing a sewer line here?
What makes one sewer replacement cost more than another?
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