Sewer backup: what to do first
A true sewer backup shows up in the lowest fixtures first. Floor drains, basement showers and ground-level toilets gurgle, then spill. If more than one fixture backs up at once, the main line is the likely culprit, and the water you see is wastewater, not clean water.
Stop running water. Do not flush. Keep children and pets out of the area. Switch off power to any outlet near standing water if you can do so from a dry spot. Call us, and describe which fixtures are affected so the dispatcher can tell you what to expect.
| Condition found | What causes it | Typical solution |
|---|---|---|
| Roots at a joint | Seeping joint draws roots | Cut roots, then repair the joint |
| Cracked or broken pipe | Ground movement, age, impact | Spot repair, lining or section replacement |
| Belly (sag) in line | Settled soil beneath pipe | Section replacement, since lining follows the sag |
| Offset joint | Joint separation | Spot repair |
| Collapsed old clay or cast iron | Age and corrosion | Replacement of the failed run |
How we diagnose before we recommend
We feed a waterproof camera through a cleanout and watch the inside of the pipe. The picture shows roots, breaks, offsets, bellies and scale. We note the distance from the cleanout to each problem so you can see where the repair would be. Without a camera, a recommendation is a guess, and sewer work is too costly to guess about. See sewer camera inspection for the stand-alone service.
Once we know what we are looking at, we explain choices. Some damage can be cleared with sewer line cleaning and monitored. Other damage calls for repair. We give you the trade-offs of each in plain terms.
Repair options explained
A spot repair removes a short damaged section and replaces it. It is the least disruptive choice when the rest of the line is sound. Pipe lining inserts a resin-saturated liner that cures into a new pipe inside the old one. It avoids trenching but requires a sound host pipe and cannot fix a belly. Full replacement digs and installs new pipe, which is the most disruptive and sometimes the only honest answer.
Call 811 before any digging. Georgia 811 is a free service, and the notice should be submitted at least three business days before digging, so utility lines are marked. We handle that notice for our excavations.
Signs the problem is the sewer line, not a fixture
- More than one fixture backs up or drains slowly at the same time.
- Gurgling in a tub or toilet when another fixture drains.
- A sewage smell indoors or in the yard near the line path.
- Lush, soggy patches in the lawn along the path of the sewer.
What affects the cost of sewer repair
Depth and length
Deeper and longer repairs involve more excavation or a longer liner.
Repair method
Spot repair, lining and replacement are in different price classes.
Surface restoration
Driveways, patios and landscaping affect the scope.
Permits and inspection
Permit rules vary, so ask the City of Tucker permit team which work needs one.
Access
A cleanout shortens diagnosis, while a missing one adds work.
Homeowners insurance often excludes the sewer line itself, though some policies sell an endorsement for service lines or cover damage from a sudden backup. Check yours. For your real number, call (770) 214-4545.
Sewage coming up?
Call the 24/7 line. We can usually schedule a camera visit the same day.
Sewer lines in Tucker
Tucker's sewer service is run by DeKalb County Watershed Management, and the county's page names sewer among the services it keeps for the city. Your responsibility usually begins at the house and ends at the connection to the county main, though the exact point depends on the property. If the camera places the failure in the street, we document and report it.
The same approach applies in the towns we serve around Tucker, including Stone Mountain and Clarkston. Gwinnett addresses in Lilburn and Norcross are served by Gwinnett County's water resources department, which names more than 3,000 miles of sewer pipelines.
Standards and sources
Plumbing work in Georgia follows the state minimum plumbing code, which is built on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Georgia amendments. Ask the City of Tucker permit team which edition and which local rules apply to your address. Plumbers are licensed through the Secretary of State's Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers, and you can ask for a license number. Any digging starts with a free call to Georgia 811, at least three business days ahead.
Written by Tucker Express Plumbing for homeowners in the Tucker area. We name standards where they apply and tell you when a rule depends on your address.
Questions we hear from homeowners
Yes. We answer around the clock. A backup is treated as urgent, and we schedule a camera visit the same day when available.
It shows the inside of the pipe, including roots, cracks, offsets and sags, with distance markers so you can see where the damage is.
Sometimes. Lining and certain spot repairs reduce digging, but they depend on the pipe condition. We tell you which options your line allows.
In most setups, the line from your house to the connection with the main is your responsibility, and the main is the utility's. We confirm with the camera and report anything on the utility side.
Permit rules vary, so ask the City of Tucker permit team or the county utility for your address. We describe the planned scope so your question is specific.