Dirty water rising in your tub or basement floor drain is more than gross. It’s a health hazard. RDP Plumbing handles sewer backups in Atlanta 24/7, clearing the blocked main line and finding the cause so it doesn’t happen again. Call our licensed plumbers now.
Signs of a Sewer Backup
- Several fixtures clogged or slow at the same time
- Water coming up in the shower or tub when you flush a toilet
- Sewage or dark water pooling around a basement floor drain
- Washing machine drain water overflowing into a nearby sink or floor drain
- Strong sewer odors in the house
- Water seeping from the cap of your outdoor sewer cleanout
Stay Safe First
Sewage carries bacteria and other germs that can make people sick. Until the backup is cleared, keep children and pets away from the affected area and avoid touching the water. If you must go near it, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves, and wash up well afterward. Stop running water, flushing toilets, and using the dishwasher or washing machine, since every gallon you send down has nowhere to go. If water is near outlets, cords, or appliances, stay out of it. Don’t pour chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up line. They won’t clear a main line clog and can splash on anyone working on it.
How We Clear a Sewer Backup
When one drain is clogged, the problem is usually in that fixture’s branch line. When several drains back up at once, especially the lowest ones in the house, the blockage is almost always in the main sewer line. That’s the pipe that carries all of your home’s wastewater to the public sewer or septic system.
Why the Basement Floor Drain Overflows First
Water takes the easiest way out. When the main line is blocked, wastewater rises until it finds the lowest opening in the home. In houses with a basement, that’s usually the floor drain. In slab or crawl space homes, it’s often a ground-floor shower or tub. That’s why a backup can show up far from the toilet or sink you were using.
Working Through the Cleanout
Most homes have a sewer cleanout: a capped pipe, often outside near the foundation or in the yard along the sewer path, that gives direct access to the main line. We use it to run our cable machine or hydro jetting hose without pulling a toilet. Please leave the cap to us. When the line is full, the cleanout can be under pressure, and sewage may rush out as soon as the cap loosens.
Finding the Cause
Once the line is flowing, we can run a sewer camera to see what caused the backup. If it was grease or wipes, thorough cleaning may be all you need. If the camera shows roots, a crack, or a collapsed section, we’ll explain your options for sewer line repair or replacement. If the blockage is beyond your property’s line, we’ll let you know.
Common Sewer Backup Situations We See in Atlanta Homes
- Roots in older lines. Homes with large trees and original clay or cast iron pipe often back up when roots finally close off the line.
- Heavy-use holidays. Extra guests, extra laundry, and grease from big meals can push a borderline line over the edge.
- Wipes and paper towels. Products that don’t break down like toilet paper collect in the main line.
- Finished basements. Many homes around north Atlanta have basement bathrooms and laundry rooms that sit lowest in the system, so they flood first.
🚨 Sewage Backing Up Right Now?
Stop using water, keep everyone away from the mess, and call us. Our emergency plumbers answer 24/7.
What to Expect
- A licensed, insured plumber, any time of day or night
- Upfront pricing before we start clearing the line
- Careful work that keeps the mess contained, and a clean work area when we leave
- Every drain tested for free flow before we go
- GreenSky financing if the line needs replacement
Our Simple 4-Step Process
- Diagnosis — We perform a thorough inspection to accurately identify the problem.
- Clear Options — We explain the issue and provide you with clear, upfront pricing for repair or replacement options.
- Expert Service — Our licensed plumbers perform the work efficiently and respectfully, treating your property as if it were our own.
- Final Testing — We test the system to ensure perfect operation and clean the work area completely before we leave.
What Our Customers Say
“…all with fast, professional service and fair pricing. He doesn’t try to upsell you, he shows up when he says he will, and he gets the job done right…”
— Samantha Graham, Google review
Read more customer reviews.
Sewer Backup FAQs
What causes a sewer backup?
Most sewer backups come from a blockage in the main line. Common causes include tree roots growing into pipe joints, grease buildup, wipes and other items that shouldn’t be flushed, and pipes that have cracked, sagged, or collapsed with age. Older clay and cast iron lines are more prone to these problems. A camera inspection shows the exact cause.
Why is sewage coming up through my basement floor drain?
The floor drain is usually the lowest opening connected to your sewer line. When the main line is blocked, wastewater from every sink, toilet, and appliance rises until it spills out the lowest point, which is often that drain. Stop using water right away and call a plumber to clear the main line, then have the line inspected.
Where is my sewer cleanout, and should I open it?
A cleanout is a capped pipe, usually a few inches wide, often found outside near the foundation, in the yard along the sewer line’s path, or sometimes in a basement or crawl space. During a backup, it’s best not to open it yourself. The line may be under pressure, and sewage can spray out when the cap loosens. Let a plumber handle it.
Is it safe to stay in my home during a sewer backup?
You can usually stay home if you keep away from the affected area. Avoid contact with the sewage, keep kids and pets out, and don’t use water until the line is cleared. If sewage is near electrical outlets or appliances, stay out of that area entirely. Wear gloves and boots if you must go near it, and wash thoroughly afterward.
How much does it cost to fix a sewer backup in Atlanta?
The cost depends on what’s blocking the line, how easy it is to reach through a cleanout, and whether the pipe itself is damaged. Clearing a grease or wipe clog is a different job than repairing a root-damaged line. We diagnose the problem and give you upfront pricing before any work begins. GreenSky financing is available if replacement is needed.
Related Services
- Emergency Plumbing
- Drain Cleaning
- Hydro Jetting
- Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
- Toilet Repair & Installation
Areas We Serve
We clear sewer backups throughout Atlanta, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Brookhaven, and West Atlanta. See all service areas.
Sewer Backup? We’re Ready 24/7
Licensed and insured plumbers serving Atlanta around the clock. Get upfront pricing before any work begins.