Roughly 60% of Doraville's homes were built before 1980, so many private sewer laterals here are clay or cast iron that has cracked, corroded or taken in roots. DeKalb County Watershed Management runs the countywide sewer system, and the pipe on your lot is the part a private plumber repairs. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Doraville.
Local conditions in Doraville
Doraville is a small, highly diverse DeKalb city on Buford Highway that grew up around the former General Motors assembly plant. Its housing is older than most of the northern suburbs: the median home dates to about 1975, and around 60% were built before 1980. Mid-century laterals are commonly clay tile, with cast iron inside the foundation. Clay joints drift apart and let roots in, and cast iron scales and thins until it cracks.
The city doesn't list a water or sewer department of its own; its utilities menu sends water service to DeKalb County Watershed Management, and DeKalb runs the county wastewater system. For a suspected problem in the public sewer, DeKalb's 24-hour emergency repair line is 770-270-6243. Permits are a city matter: plumbing work goes on Doraville's Trade Permit Application through Cloudpermit, and every permit needs a notarized property-owner affidavit, which is worth knowing if you rent the house out or are handling a repair for a relative.
Repair choices side by side
| Approach | Works for | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Root cutting and flushing | Roots in clay that is still intact | Roots return through the same joints |
| Point repair | A single crack or offset joint | Neighboring old joints may fail next |
| Liner | Cracked clay or cast iron that is still round | Not for collapsed or sagging pipe |
| New lateral | Defects through much of the run | Bigger job, but no old joints left |
Signs to watch for
- Water rises in a tub or shower when the toilet flushes
- Gurgling drains while the washer empties
- Slow drains in several rooms at once
- Sewage odor in the yard or crawl space
- Clogs that come back within weeks
Seasonal and timing notes
Root intrusion speeds up from late spring into summer, so older Doraville laterals often announce themselves in warm weather. Steady rain can also expose cracked clay, as groundwater seeps in and slows the flow. If the line has needed clearing more than once in a year, a camera inspection will show whether one bad joint is to blame or whether the whole lateral has reached the end of its useful life. Gather the notarized affidavit early so the permit isn't what holds up the repair.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Doraville
Does sewer line work need a permit here?
What is the sewer pipe under a house this age likely made of?
Who do I call if the backup might be in the public sewer main?
Why do my drains get sluggish after a heavy rain?
More plumbing services in Doraville
Sewer Line Repair nearby
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