Sewage Backup Cleanup in Lawrenceville, GA

Sewage backup cleanup in Lawrenceville, GA is not a do-it-yourself job. Water that comes up through a floor drain, toilet or tub from the sewer is Category 3 water, carrying bacteria and viruses, and anything porous it soaks is generally removed rather than dried. Through our referral line (opening soon), you can be connected with an independent restoration company that has the protective equipment, disinfectants and disposal process to handle it safely.

Do this first

1. Stop running water in the house: no showers, laundry, dishwasher or flushing. Every gallon you use can come back up.
2. Keep people and pets out of the affected area.
3. Switch off power to the affected area from a dry location if water is near outlets.
4. Photograph the backup and where it came from.
5. Contact a plumber to clear the line, or the county if you believe the main is blocked.
6. Book a cleanup inspection.

Your lateral or the county main?

In Gwinnett County, the Department of Water Resources maintains the sewer mains and the service stubs, the short pipes connecting the main to your private line, within county rights-of-way or sewer easements. The sewer lateral that runs from that stub to your house is privately owned, and the owner is responsible for blockages and failures in it. Many homes have a cleanout near the right-of-way and another closer to the house; a plumber can tell which side of the cleanout the blockage is on.

If more than one fixture backs up at once, or neighbors have the same problem, the issue may be in the main. Contact DWR's 24-hour dispatch, listed on the county website. Be cautious if a plumber says the county will reimburse private work; Gwinnett says specific conditions must apply before reimbursement is considered.

How sewage cleanup works

1. Crews wear protective gear and contain the area so contamination does not spread through the house.
2. Standing sewage is extracted and solids are removed.
3. Carpet, pad, soaked drywall, insulation and other porous materials in the affected area are removed and disposed of.
4. Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and treated with disinfectant.
5. The area is dried with air movers and dehumidifiers and checked with moisture readings.
6. Some providers use air scrubbers to reduce odor and airborne particles.

Insurance and sewer backups

Standard Georgia homeowners policies commonly exclude water or sewage that backs up through drains unless you bought a water backup endorsement. That endorsement is usually inexpensive but carries its own limit, sometimes lower than a full basement cleanup. If the backup was caused by outside flooding entering the sewer system, flood insurance may be the relevant policy. Our Georgia insurance guide has more.

Preventing a repeat

• Do not flush wipes, even ones labeled flushable, or pour grease down drains.
• Have the lateral camera-inspected if you have recurring slow drains; tree roots are a common culprit.
• Ask a plumber whether your home needs or has a backwater valve, and keep it maintained.

When you are ready, email [email protected] while our phone line is being set up. Back to water damage restoration in Lawrenceville.

Common questions

1. Who is responsible for a sewer backup in Gwinnett County?

   Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources maintains the sewer mains and the short service stubs in the right-of-way. The sewer lateral from the stub to your house is the property owner's responsibility. If the blockage is in your lateral, you pay for clearing and repair. If you suspect a problem in the county main, contact DWR right away.

2. Is it safe to stay in the house after a sewage backup?

   Keep everyone, especially children, pregnant people and pets, out of the affected area. Stop using water so more does not go down the drains. If the backup is limited to one room you can close it off, but do not try to clean sewage-soaked carpet or drywall yourself. Ventilate if it is safe to do so.

3. Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?

   Usually only with a water or sewer backup endorsement. Standard Georgia homeowners policies commonly exclude water that backs up through sewers or drains. The endorsement has a separate limit, so check the amount. Gwinnett County also notes that if your home is required to have a backwater valve and does not, the county is not responsible for main backups.