Sewage Backup Cleanup in Marietta: Keep Clear and Call

What should I do when sewage backs up into my house?

Stop using water in the house, keep everyone out of the area, and do not try to clean it up with household tools. The EPA says damage from sewage or other contaminated water calls for a professional with experience cleaning contaminated water.

• Stop running sinks, showers, the dishwasher and the washing machine. Every gallon you send down goes to the lowest drain, which is where it is coming up.
• Keep children and pets away. Do not run fans over the area; they move contaminated air and droplets.
• Photograph the backup, the drain it came from, and everything it touched.
• If you are on public sewer, call the utility to report it (numbers below).

Who do I call about a sewer backup in Cobb County?

If sewage is backing up in your home or the street and you are on Cobb County sewer, the Cobb County Water System lists its emergency dispatch line, 770-419-6201, for exactly that. Inside Marietta city limits, Marietta Power & Water lists 770-794-5230 for water and sewer emergencies.

In Smyrna, the city's own Public Works handles water and sewer (770-431-2850 in business hours, 770-434-6666 after hours). In Powder Springs, Cobb supplies the water but the city runs the sewer. These numbers come from each utility's website; check your bill if one has changed.

Who owns the pipe matters. Cobb County's code makes the property owner responsible for the service line from the house to the county's connection. Powder Springs says the same about the lateral from the home to the main. If the clog is in your lateral (roots, grease, a broken pipe), the repair is a plumber's job and yours to pay. If the public main backed up, tell the utility and keep records.

Why is sewage cleanup treated differently from a burst pipe?

Because it is Category 3 water under the IICRC S500 standard: grossly contaminated and able to carry bacteria and viruses. Porous materials it touched, like carpet, pad and the lower part of drywall, are removed rather than dried.

A sewage cleanup usually means protective gear, containment so contamination does not spread to the rest of the house, removal of affected porous materials, cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, then drying. It costs more per square foot than clean water. HomeAdvisor's national figures put Category 3 work at roughly $7.50 per square foot versus about $3.50 for clean water, as a general guide only.

Is a toilet overflow sewage?

It depends on what was in it. Overflow from the tank or a clean bowl is generally Category 1 or 2. A toilet backing up with waste, or the same water that sits for days, is Category 3.

If the overflow ran under the vanity, through the subfloor or into a ceiling below, it is a bigger job than it looks. For how restoration works, what it typically costs and how insurance tends to treat it, see our guide to water damage restoration in Marietta.

How do I prevent another sewer backup?

Keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of drains, have a plumber camera the lateral if backups repeat, and ask about a backwater valve if your lowest drains sit below the street sewer.

Tree roots are a common cause of lateral clogs in older neighborhoods. A plumber can scope the line and tell you whether it needs cleaning, a repair or replacement. Ask your insurance agent about water backup coverage while you are at it.

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