Cleveland is one of the few small towns around here that runs its own wastewater plant, so in-town homes drain to the Town of Cleveland's sewer rather than a regional utility. A clog in your house or in the line out to the town main is cleared by a plumber, and a problem in the main itself goes to the town. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Cleveland.
Cleveland's wastewater system
The Town of Cleveland owns its sewer system and a wastewater plant with a capacity of 275,000 gallons a day, about half of it used by the Daimler Truck plant, according to a 2021 UNC Environmental Finance Center case study. The same study noted that the town's wastewater lines, about 35 years old at the time, were slated for inspection and repair. Homes in the rural parts of the 27013 ZIP outside town may not be on that system at all.
Housing in and around Cleveland has a median build year of 1982, with about 47% from before 1980. Older houses often have cast-iron drains indoors, which build up scale, and clay or cast-iron pipe outside that roots can enter. Newer homes mostly see everyday clogs from grease, hair and wipes.
The dividing line matters when you call. A plumber clears the drains inside your home and the line out to the town's main. If your line is open and the backup continues, or neighbors are having the same trouble, the Town of Cleveland should be told, since the public mains are its responsibility.
Which tool fits the problem
| Tool | What it does | When it's the right call |
|---|---|---|
| Plunger or hand auger | Pushes or pulls out a nearby clog | One fixture, recent problem |
| Cable machine | Cuts through blockages deep in a line | Main-line backups, light roots |
| Water jetter | Scours grease and debris off pipe walls | Clogs that keep coming back |
| Sewer camera | Shows the inside of the pipe | Suspected breaks, sags or heavy roots |
Signs to take seriously
Any of these, especially more than one at a time, is worth a call rather than another round with the plunger.
- Sewage coming up in a tub or shower
- A gurgle in the sink when the toilet flushes
- Water around a toilet base after flushing
- Multiple drains slowing down over the same week
Timing notes
A drain that's slow but still moving can usually wait for a weekday visit. Water coming up out of a fixture can't, so stop using water until it's cleared. Holiday cooking, house guests and fall leaf clearing that pushes debris toward outdoor cleanouts are all common times for trouble. If clearing the line turns up pipe that needs replacing, permits come through Rowan County Building Inspections after the town's zoning sign-off.
Drain Cleaning questions in Cleveland
How can I tell if a backup is in my own pipe or in the public sewer?
Do tree roots really get inside drain pipes?
Should I pour in a chemical drain cleaner before calling?
Where is the cleanout, and does it matter if I can't find it?
More plumbing services in Cleveland
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Sources
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