Sewage Cleanup
Fast Help When Sewage Backs Up Into Your Home or Business.
Mold Solutions Home Services provides professional sewage cleanup for homes and businesses throughout Cobb County, Paulding County, and surrounding Metro Atlanta communities.
We remove sewage-contaminated water, address affected materials, dry the property, and complete the cleanup and restoration needed to get your home or business back in order.
- Residential and commercial sewage cleanup
- Cleanup, drying and restoration
- Emergency inspection may be available in 45 minutes or less
Fast Response Matters
Emergency Sewage Cleanup
Sewage damage should be addressed as quickly as possible.
Contaminated water does not necessarily stay where you can see it. It can travel underneath flooring, behind baseboards, into drywall, and through other porous building materials.
Wastewater can carry contaminants into materials and areas beyond the visibly affected surface.
Water can remain trapped inside porous materials and building assemblies after standing sewage is removed.
Sewage Cleanup May Include
Sewage cleanup is available throughout Paulding County, Cobb County, Douglas County, Bartow County, and surrounding Metro Atlanta communities.
Contaminated Wastewater
Sewer Backup Cleanup
A sewer backup can send contaminated wastewater through toilets, tubs, floor drains, and other plumbing fixtures.
In lower levels of a home, a backup can result in significant contamination before the problem is discovered.
Avoid unnecessary contact with wastewater. Keep children and pets away from the affected area until it has been properly assessed and cleaned.
Mold Solutions Home Services can inspect the damage, establish the necessary scope of work, remove contaminated water and materials, and begin the cleaning and drying process.
The source of the backup also needs to be corrected. If a plumber or sewer professional is needed to stop the underlying plumbing problem, that work should be completed so additional sewage does not continue entering the property. We can then focus on cleaning and restoring the resulting damage.
Not Every Overflow Is the Same
Toilet Overflow Cleanup
An overflowing toilet involving clean supply water is very different from wastewater containing human waste or water that has backed up from beyond the toilet trap.
When sewage is present, contamination may extend well beyond the toilet itself. Wastewater can soak underneath flooring, reach baseboards and drywall, and spread into adjoining rooms.
Look Beyond the Visible Water
Professional sewage cleanup identifies how far both the contamination and moisture have traveled so the cleanup is not limited to the visibly wet area.
Request HelpBasement Sewer Backup Cleanup
Flooded Basement Sewage Cleanup
Basements are particularly vulnerable to sewer backups because they often contain the lowest drains and plumbing fixtures in a building.
When wastewater enters a basement, it can spread across the floor and move into nearby materials before the full extent of the damage is obvious.
Sewage Can Enter Through
Finished Basements
What You See May Be Only Part of the Damage
A finished basement can present additional challenges because contaminated water may spread beneath flooring and into drywall, insulation, trim, and other porous materials.
Cleanup should account for both visible sewage and contamination that may have moved into concealed building materials.
Finished or unfinished basement? Mold Solutions Home Services provides sewage removal, cleanup, drying, and restoration for both.
More Than Water Removal
Why Sewage Damage Requires Professional Cleanup
Sewage damage is not the same as cleaning up water from a leaking faucet or broken supply line. The cleanup has to account for both contamination and moisture.
Contamination
Raw sewage may contain bacteria, viruses, fungi, microorganisms, human waste, chemicals, and other contaminants.
Hidden Moisture
Even after visible sewage has been extracted, moisture can remain inside walls, flooring, subflooring, framing, cabinets, and other materials.
Wastewater reaches floors and surrounding materials.
Water moves into porous and concealed building materials.
Lingering moisture can contribute to deterioration and mold conditions.
Effective sewage damage cleanup requires evaluating the affected environment, addressing contaminated materials, cleaning appropriate surfaces, drying the structure, monitoring moisture, and completing the restoration needed for the property.
Water Contamination Levels
Understanding the 3 Categories of Water Damage
Restoration professionals commonly categorize water damage according to the source and degree of contamination. Understanding these categories helps explain why a sewage backup requires a different response than an ordinary plumbing leak.
Category 1 Water
Category 1 water originates from a sanitary source.
- Broken water supply lines
- Leaking faucets
- Certain appliance supply-line failures
Even relatively clean water should not be ignored. Conditions can change as water remains in contact with building materials and other contaminants.
Category 2 Water
Category 2 water contains a significant level of contamination and may create a risk of illness or discomfort.
- Washing machine discharge
- Dishwasher overflows
- Certain toilet overflows without fecal contamination
Conditions can worsen when contaminated water remains untreated.
Category 3 Water
Category 3 water is grossly contaminated. Sewage backups are a common example.
- Toilet water containing fecal matter
- Water originating beyond a toilet trap
- Contaminated floodwater
- Heavily contaminated standing water
Category 3 water requires appropriate precautions because it may contain sewage, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other potentially harmful contaminants.
The source of the water, what it has contacted, and how long it has remained in the property all help determine the appropriate cleanup approach.
Where Sewage Backups Begin
Common Causes of Sewage Damage
A sewage backup can result from problems inside the property or farther down the sewer or septic system. Identifying the source is important because the underlying problem may need to be corrected before cleanup and restoration can move forward.
Clogged Sewer and Drain Lines
Grease, debris, foreign objects, and other obstructions can restrict wastewater flow and eventually cause sewage to back up through drains and plumbing fixtures.
Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots can enter cracks or damaged areas of underground sewer pipes. As the roots grow, they can restrict wastewater flow and contribute to recurring backups.
Damaged Sewer Lines
Older or damaged sewer pipes can crack, deteriorate, shift, or collapse. These problems can restrict drainage and cause wastewater to back up into the property.
Heavy Rain and Drainage Problems
Heavy rainfall can contribute to sewer system problems and flooding. Water entering from outside may also carry significant contamination depending on its source and what it encountered before reaching the building.
Septic System Problems
A malfunctioning or overloaded septic system can cause wastewater to back up through plumbing fixtures or drains.
Toilet and Plumbing Overflows
A clogged toilet or drain can quickly release contaminated wastewater onto bathroom floors and into adjoining spaces.
A plumber, sewer contractor, or septic professional may be needed to correct the source. Mold Solutions Home Services can then address the resulting sewage contamination, moisture, damaged materials, drying, and restoration.
From First Call Through Restoration
Our Sewage Cleanup and Restoration Process
Every sewage loss is different, but the goal is the same: identify the extent of the contamination, remove affected materials when necessary, clean and dry the property, and complete the restoration included in the project.
Call for Immediate Help
The process starts by picking up your phone. Call 404-889-7814 and tell us what happened.
For qualifying emergency situations, a site inspection may be available in 45 minutes or less.
We Inspect the Damage
Our technicians evaluate the affected area and identify the scope of work.
You Receive an Estimate
Once we understand the scope of the damage, you receive an estimate for the necessary sewage cleanup and restoration work.
Mold Solutions Home Services offers a free water and sewage cleanup and repair estimate.
We Address the Contaminated Area
Upon your approval, our technicians begin the appropriate cleanup process based on the conditions at the property.
We Remove Materials That Cannot Be Restored
Sewage can penetrate porous materials that may not be appropriate to leave in place.
We evaluate the actual conditions rather than assuming every wet material must be removed or can automatically be saved.
We Clean the Affected Areas
After contaminated water and unsalvageable materials have been removed, affected areas can be cleaned and treated according to the conditions encountered.
This stage also helps address contamination and odors associated with the sewage backup.
We Dry the Property
Removing sewage does not remove all of the moisture. Water can remain in the air and inside building materials after the visible wastewater is gone.
We Address Repairs and Restoration
Cleanup may leave damaged drywall, flooring, trim, or other materials that need to be repaired or replaced.
Mold Solutions Home Services can take care of the project from A-Z, with a defined scope of work and restoration after cleanup.
We Help Coordinate With Your Insurance Company
When an insurance claim is involved, we work with you, your insurance carrier, and your adjuster to help maintain communication between the parties and keep the process moving.
Coverage varies by policy and by the cause of the sewage backup. Property owners should confirm the specifics of their coverage with their insurer.
Tell us what happened and we can help determine the next step for cleanup, drying, and restoration.
Cleanup and Structural Drying
Professional Equipment Used During Sewage Cleanup
The equipment needed for sewage cleanup depends on the size of the affected area, the materials involved, remaining moisture, and the overall conditions of the project.
Air Movers
Air movers produce high volumes of controlled airflow to support the drying process.
Once appropriate cleanup procedures have been completed, airflow can help moisture evaporate from wet structural materials.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from indoor air and help create conditions that allow wet building materials to dry more effectively.
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers provide portable air filtration during restoration and remediation projects.
They help capture airborne particles and support improved air filtration while work is underway.
Look Beyond the Surface
Moisture Detection and Drying Equipment
What looks dry on the surface is not necessarily dry underneath.
Professional moisture evaluation helps determine whether water has traveled into flooring, drywall, framing, or other building materials. Monitoring those conditions also helps technicians evaluate how drying is progressing.
Cleanup Is Only Part of the Job
Sewage Damage Cleanup and Restoration
There is an important distinction between removing sewage contamination and repairing the property damage that remains afterward.
Sewage Cleanup
Cleanup focuses on contamination, unwanted wastewater, affected materials, and moisture.
- Wastewater extraction
- Contaminated material removal
- Cleaning
- Treatment of affected areas
- Structural drying
- Moisture monitoring
Sewage Damage Restoration
Restoration addresses the materials and finishes that need to be repaired or replaced after cleanup is complete.
- Drywall replacement
- Flooring repairs
- Baseboard and trim replacement
- Sheetrock work
- Repairs to other damaged materials
We can address the project from the initial inspection and sewage removal through drying, damaged-material evaluation, and the restoration work needed afterward.
Homes and Businesses
Residential and Commercial Sewage Cleanup
Sewage damage can disrupt a home, business, or commercial property quickly. Our job is to determine how far the contamination and moisture have traveled, establish the scope of work, and begin the appropriate cleanup and restoration process.
Residential Service
Residential Sewage Cleanup
A sewage backup can affect virtually any part of a home. We work to identify the full extent of the damage, limit unnecessary spread of contamination, remove affected materials when necessary, and dry the remaining structure.
Commercial Service
Commercial Sewage Cleanup
Sewage backups can create major disruptions for businesses and commercial properties throughout Metro Atlanta.
A defined scope of work helps property owners and managers understand what needs to happen before affected areas can be restored.
A Secondary Moisture Problem
Sewage Damage and Mold Growth
Sewage contamination and mold are separate problems, but a sewage backup can create the moisture conditions that allow mold to develop.
Moisture may remain trapped inside materials and concealed areas even after the visible wastewater has been removed. That is one reason professional drying and moisture monitoring are important parts of sewage cleanup.
If Mold Is Discovered, We Can Address It
Mold Solutions Home Services specializes in mold inspection, mold removal, and mold remediation. If mold is discovered during restoration, our certified professionals can evaluate the conditions and determine the appropriate next steps.
Before Cleanup Begins
What Should You Do After a Sewage Backup?
Until the affected area can be professionally evaluated, the priority is to reduce unnecessary exposure and avoid spreading contamination into unaffected areas.
Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
Avoid direct contact with contaminated wastewater.
Limit foot traffic through affected rooms.
Do not carry contaminated materials into unaffected areas.
Stop using plumbing fixtures if they are contributing to the backup.
Address the plumbing, sewer, or septic source when necessary.
Photograph visible damage for insurance purposes when it is safe.
Contact a professional sewage cleanup company.
Call Mold Solutions Home Services
404-889-7814We can help assess the damage and determine the next steps for sewage removal, cleanup, drying, and restoration.
When a Claim Is Involved
Sewage Cleanup and Insurance Claims
A sewage backup can involve multiple parties, particularly when significant property damage results. Clear documentation can help everyone understand the scope of the loss and the work being performed.
Insurance coverage for sewer and drain backups varies. Some policies may require specific water-backup or sewer-backup coverage, so coverage should be verified directly with your insurance carrier.
Cleanup, Drying and Restoration
Why Choose Mold Solutions Home Services for Sewage Cleanup?
Sewage cleanup requires more than removing visible standing water. We can handle the contamination, moisture, damaged materials, restoration work, and communication needed to move the project forward.
Mold Solutions Home Services can address sewage removal, contamination, drying, damaged materials, repairs, and restoration under one defined scope of work.
Local Sewage Cleanup Service
Sewage Cleanup in Cobb County, Paulding County and Surrounding Areas
Mold Solutions Home Services is based at 160 Owens Road in Dallas, Georgia and serves property owners throughout the surrounding Metro Atlanta area.
If you need sewage cleanup in Cobb County, Paulding County, or a surrounding community, call 404-889-7814 to find out how quickly we can respond.
Paulding County
Dallas, Hiram, New Georgia and New Hope
Cobb County
Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw and surrounding communities
Douglas County
Douglasville, Winston, Villa Rica, Mirror Lake and surrounding communities
Bartow County
Cartersville, Adairsville and surrounding communities
Sewage Cleanup Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Sewage Cleanup
Sewage damage raises questions about contamination, cleanup, drying, insurance, damaged materials, and what should happen first. These answers cover some of the most common concerns.
Is a sewage backup an emergency?
Yes. Sewage can contain potentially harmful microorganisms and other contaminants, while the wastewater itself can spread into building materials and cause additional property damage. Avoid unnecessary contact and arrange for the source and resulting contamination to be addressed promptly.
What should I do immediately after sewage backs up into my home?
Stay out of the contaminated area when possible, keep children and pets away, stop using plumbing fixtures if they are worsening the problem, and contact the appropriate professionals. Avoid carrying contaminated items through unaffected portions of the property.
Is sewage considered Category 3 water?
Sewage backups are generally associated with Category 3 water because they involve gross contamination. Appropriate precautions should be taken when handling affected water and materials.
What is black water?
"Black water" is a common term for grossly contaminated water, including sewage and certain types of floodwater. It may contain microorganisms, waste, chemicals, or other contaminants and requires more extensive precautions than clean-water damage.
Can I clean up a sewage backup myself?
A very minor plumbing spill and a significant sewage backup are not the same situation. Sewage contamination can extend underneath floors and into porous materials where it is not immediately visible. Significant sewage damage is best evaluated and cleaned by professionals with appropriate equipment and procedures.
Does drywall have to be removed after a sewage backup?
It depends on whether the drywall was contaminated, how much water it absorbed, and the conditions at the property. Heavily contaminated porous materials may need to be removed rather than cleaned in place.
Can carpet be saved after sewage damage?
Carpet and padding are porous and can absorb contaminated wastewater. Whether materials can be restored depends on the nature and extent of contamination, but sewage-contaminated porous materials frequently require removal.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
There is not a single timeframe that applies to every property. The amount of sewage, size of the affected area, materials involved, contamination level, drying requirements, and repairs all affect the restoration timeline.
Can a sewage backup cause mold?
A sewage backup introduces significant moisture into a building. If affected materials remain wet, they can create conditions that support mold growth. Proper moisture detection and structural drying help address that risk.
How do you remove odors after a sewage backup?
Odor control starts by addressing the source. Sewage and contaminated materials must be removed, affected surfaces cleaned, and wet materials properly dried. Simply covering the odor with fragrance does not correct the underlying contamination.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage cleanup?
It depends on your policy and the cause of the backup. Sewer and drain backup coverage may be handled differently from other forms of water damage. Mold Solutions Home Services can communicate with your insurance carrier and adjuster during the restoration process, but your insurer determines coverage.
What is the difference between sewage cleanup and sewage damage restoration?
Sewage cleanup focuses on removing wastewater and contamination, cleaning affected areas, removing unsalvageable materials, and drying the structure. Restoration addresses the repairs needed afterward, such as replacing drywall, flooring, trim, and other damaged materials.
Who should I call first after a sewer backup?
If sewage is actively entering the property because of a plumbing or sewer problem, the source needs to be stopped or corrected. You also need a restoration company to address the sewage and property damage. For immediate sewage cleanup assistance, call Mold Solutions Home Services at 404-889-7814.
Get a Free Sewage Cleanup and Repair Estimate
When sewage backs up into your home or business, you do not want to spend hours trying to determine what to do next.
We'll inspect the damage, identify the necessary scope of work, and provide a free water and sewage cleanup and repair estimate. Upon your approval, our team can handle the cleanup and restoration from A-Z.