Key facts: Sewage backup in Gwinnett County
- Gwinnett County responds to sewer backup notifications at all hours, including holidays. [1]
- The private lateral from house to county line is the owner's responsibility. [2]
- Report backups and overflowing manholes on 678.376.7000. [3]
- Ask the county to inspect the lateral before repairs if you may seek reimbursement. [2]
Short answer
Whose job is a backed-up sewer in Gwinnett?
Stop using water, stay away from the sewage and call Gwinnett County Water Resources dispatch on 678.376.7000. Sewer backups and overflowing manholes are on the county's list of problems to report at once, and it responds to backup notifications at any hour, including holidays. [3] [1]
Whether the rest falls to the county or to you depends on where the blockage is. The county looks after its main and the part of the system in its right-of-way, while the private lateral running from the house to the county line is the owner's responsibility. [2] If the blockage is on your side, you will need a plumber, and the county does not recommend specific ones.
Tell them apart
Where the blockage probably is
| What you notice | Likely location | First call |
|---|---|---|
| One toilet or sink backs up, others fine | A branch drain inside the house | Plumber |
| Every lowest fixture gurgles or backs up | Main house drain or private lateral | County dispatch, then plumber |
| Neighbours have the same problem | Public main | County dispatch |
| Manhole overflowing in the street or yard | Public main | County dispatch |
| Backs up only when you run the washer | Partial blockage in your own line | Plumber |
Right now
What to do when sewage is coming up
- 1
Stop every source of water
Do not flush, run taps or start machines. Every gallon you send down has only one place to go.
- 2
Keep people out
Close the door to the room, and keep children and pets well away. Do not walk through it to rescue belongings.
- 3
Stay away from electrics
If sewage has reached outlets or appliances, shut power off at the panel only from a dry location.
- 4
Report it
Call county dispatch, say that it is a sewer backup, and ask whether crews have found the main clear. Note the time and the name you are given.
- 5
Photograph before cleanup
Capture the water line, affected rooms and belongings from a safe distance for your insurer.
- 6
Arrange the plumber and the cleanup
These are two separate jobs: one clears the line, the other handles the contaminated building materials.
Health
Why sewage is treated differently from a clean leak
Sewage carries bacteria, viruses and other germs, and restoration practice treats it as the most serious category of water. The IICRC S500 standard places it in the category that calls for protective equipment and the removal of affected porous materials. [4] This is why mopping and running a fan is not enough here. Drying a contaminated carpet leaves the contamination in place and dries it into the house.
The EPA's flood cleanup resources stress protecting indoor air and the people doing the work, and they advise removing soaked materials that cannot be properly cleaned. [5] Anyone with a weakened immune system, as well as young children and those who are pregnant, should stay out of the area entirely until it has been cleaned.
What comes out
Which materials stay and which go
As a general trade practice, sewage-soaked carpet and pad are removed, along with drywall and insulation that the water wicked into, and also fabric furniture and mattresses. Hard, non-porous surfaces such as tile, concrete and sealed metal can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Solid wood framing is usually cleaned, treated and dried rather than replaced. A contractor should explain in plain terms how far up the wall the cut will go and why it was chosen.
Keep any sentimental items that were soaked aside and ask about them separately. Photographs and documents can sometimes be recovered with specialist help, but they should not be mixed in with normal household handling, and many soaked soft goods simply cannot be made safe.
Your lateral
Understanding the private sewer lateral
The lateral is the pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the public sewer. Roots, grease and old joints are the usual suspects in any older lateral, and many Norcross lots carry mature hardwoods near the line. Gwinnett's published policy explains that the county deals with problems in its right-of-way and that the private portion belongs to the owner. [2] It is worth reading the handout before you pay for digging.
If you think the county's work or its main caused damage and you want to pursue reimbursement, the policy says county staff must inspect the lateral before any repair is made. So call the department first and ask for that inspection rather than having the line dug up and then raising the question. [2]
Prevention
Reducing the chance of another backup
- Keep grease out of drainsGrease is a leading cause of drain blockages. Let it cool, then put it in the trash.
- Flush only toilet paperWipes, even those marketed as flushable, can snag on roots and joints.
- Know your cleanoutFind it, keep it uncovered, and tell whoever services your line.
- Have a recurring problem scopedA camera inspection shows roots, bellies and breaks instead of relying on guesses.
- Ask about a backwater valveA plumber can say whether a valve suits your lowest level and whether local rules apply.
Insurance
Check your policy for backup coverage
Sewer and drain backup is often an optional add-on rather than a standard part of a homeowners policy, and flood insurance treats backup differently again. Look for wording about "water backup" or "sewer backup" and ask your agent, in writing if you can, what applies. The insurance guide on this site explains how to organise a claim.
Prepare for the call
What to tell the plumber and the cleanup contractor
- When the backup began, and whether it was a one-time event or has happened before.
- Which fixtures are affected, and what the county found if a crew has come.
- How far the sewage travelled, and through which rooms.
- What the floors and lower walls are made of.
- Who else lives in the house, especially anyone vulnerable.
Questions
Sewer backup questions in Gwinnett County
Who pays for a sewer line repair in Gwinnett County?
The county handles problems in its main and right-of-way, and the private lateral from your house to the county line is the owner's responsibility. Read the county's lateral policy, and call its Water Resources department if you are unsure which side a blockage is on. [2]
What number do I call for a sewer problem?
Gwinnett County Water Resources dispatch takes reports on 678.376.7000, and the department lists operators as available all year round. Use it for backups, spills and overflowing manholes, as well as for leaks at the meter box. [3]
Can I clean up a small sewage spill myself?
A very small spill on a hard floor can be cleaned by an adult with gloves, eye protection, boots and disinfectant. Anything that reached carpet, drywall or a wide area is better left to someone equipped for it, because what you cannot see stays contaminated.
Why does my drain back up only during heavy rain?
Rainwater can get into sewer lines through cracks and bad connections, overloading them for a time. It suggests a capacity or line problem rather than something you flushed. Report it to the county and mention the rain pattern when you do.
Do I need to leave the house during cleanup?
Often, at least for the affected floor, and certainly while contaminated materials are being removed. A contractor can explain containment, but anyone vulnerable should stay elsewhere. If your only bathroom is unusable, staying with someone else is the practical choice anyway.