Sewage Backing Up? Protect the House First
Keep contact with sewage to a minimum and limit the spread.
- Stop all water use: No flushing, no showers and no laundry until the line has been cleared and checked.
- Keep people and pets away from affected floors: Sewage carries bacteria that can make people sick if they touch it.
- Do not use chemical drain cleaners: They rarely help in a sewer line, and they create a hazard for the crew.
- Photograph the damage: You may need the pictures for an insurance claim or for a request to the county.
- Call (770) 214-4545: Dispatch answers nights, weekends and holidays.
If sewage has soaked carpet or drywall, wear gloves and wash up afterward. Porous materials often need professional removal.
Who Owns Which Part of the Sewer Line
Peachtree Corners follows a split set by Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources owns the sewer main and the part of your lateral inside the public right-of-way. The homeowner owns the lateral from the edge of the right-of-way to the house. Roots or debris from the county section can create liability for the county, and the county asks you to request a Department of Water Resources inspection before you make repairs if you want to seek reimbursement. Expect a two to three hour wait for that inspection.
We camera the whole run and tell you where the break sits. If it falls in the county section, we give you the footage and the location to share. If it falls on your side, we quote the repair.
Signs a Sewer Line Is Damaged
The house gives clear hints before a full failure.
Repeated backups
Clearing the line works for a short time and then the problem returns.
Gurgling and slow drains
Several fixtures slow together, and toilets bubble when other drains run.
Sewage smell
An odor in the yard or near a drain can mean a broken pipe or a dry trap.
Soft or green patches
Wet ground or unusually green grass above the line points to a leak.
Foundation or slab signs
Settling or cracks near the pipe route can accompany a broken line.
A sewer camera inspection confirms these signs and records the pipe condition.
Repair Options: Spot Repair, Replacement or Lining
The right method depends on what the camera shows.
| Method | Best for | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair. | One cracked or offset section. | Needs excavation at the damage. |
| Full replacement. | Long damaged runs or collapsed pipe. | More digging and restoration. |
| Pipe lining. | Cracks and root entry in otherwise intact pipe. | Needs a clear, continuous pipe. |
| Pipe bursting. | Replacing a line with less trench. | Needs entry and exit pits. |
We lay out the options with the reasons for each. Heavy root problems often justify repair so that sewer line cleaning does not become a recurring bill.
Sewer repairs should follow Georgia's state minimum plumbing code, which is built on the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Ask the Building Division about permits and about county inspection of the section inside the right-of-way.
Sewer line broken or blocked?
Call the 24/7 line. A plumber will camera the line and explain the repair options.
Our Repair Process
From the first camera pass to the final flow test.
- Locate the break: A camera run and a locator mark the damage on the surface so the dig stays as small as it can.
- Present the options: You see the footage, the repair choices and the price before any digging starts.
- Protect the yard: We plan the dig to limit damage and mark utilities before the first shovel goes in.
- Make the repair: New pipe and fittings go in with proper slope and support so water keeps moving.
- Test and restore: We run water and camera the line again before backfilling and cleanup.
Trees, Roots and the Peachtree Corners Lot
Mature trees are common in the area, and so are the root problems they cause.
Peachtree Corners covers about 17 square miles, and parks such as the 227-acre Simpsonwood Park sit beside tree-lined neighborhoods. Roots seek moisture and enter sewer joints through tiny gaps, so a pipe that looks fine today can be half full of roots in a few seasons.
Before you plant near the line, call 811 to mark utilities, because Georgia 811 is free. If a tree is already near the line, a camera look every year or two catches roots early, when the fix is still small. Our Duluth service team sees the same root patterns in the older neighborhoods east of the city.
What Changes the Price of a Sewer Repair
Depth, length and surface conditions matter most.
- Depth and lengthDeeper or longer repairs mean more excavation and more materials.
- Surface restorationDriveways, patios and landscaping add restoration work.
- Method chosenLining, spot repair and replacement have different labor needs.
- Hour of the callEmergency calls at night or on weekends include after-hours labor.
You hear the price in plain terms before we start, and we pause to talk if the dig reveals more damage.
Sewer Line Repair Questions in Peachtree Corners
Yes. The line at (770) 214-4545 is open around the clock, including holidays. Dispatch gives you the earliest window when you call.
Gwinnett County owns the main and the lateral inside the right-of-way. You own the lateral from the edge of the right-of-way to the house. We camera the line to show which section is damaged.
If you may seek reimbursement for a county-side problem, the county asks you to request a Department of Water Resources inspection before repairs. Expect a wait of two to three hours.
Sometimes. Pipe lining and pipe bursting limit digging when the pipe is suited to them. The camera shows whether your line qualifies.
Roots follow moisture and enter through tiny cracks and loose joints. Once inside, they grow and catch debris, which causes backups.
A camera tells the difference. Clean pipe with a clog needs cleaning. Cracks, offsets or collapsed sections need repair. See drain cleaning for blockages without damage.