Sewer or drain trouble at a Georgia home? Start here.
Plain-English guides for Georgia homeowners: what to do when sewage backs up, how to tell a main-line clog from one slow drain, which part of the pipe is yours and which is the utility's, and how to hire and pay for drain cleaning without guesswork. This is an independent information site, not a plumbing company, so nothing here is a sales pitch.
Sewage coming up a drain right now? Stop running water in the house, keep children and pets away from it, and read what to do when your sewer backs up. If you smell something that could be natural gas, leave the house first and call 911 or your gas company from outside.
What are you seeing?
Most drain problems announce themselves the same few ways. Find the row closest to what is happening at your house, then read the linked guide: it explains the problem properly and lists its sources.
| What you notice | What it usually points to | First step | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| One sink, tub or toilet drains slowly; every other drain is fine | A clog in that fixture’s own drain or trap | Try the safe do-it-yourself steps before calling anyone | Unclog a drain yourself |
| Several drains are slow, or the lowest drain in the house backs up first | A blockage in the main drain or sewer line | Stop running water and run through the main-line checklist | Signs of a main line clog |
| Sewage is coming up through a drain | An active sewer backup | Stop using water, keep people and pets away, then follow the steps | What to do when your sewer backs up |
| Drains gurgle or back up mostly during heavy rain | Rainwater getting into the sewer, on your side or the utility’s | Note when it happens and check your downspouts and cleanout cap | Why drains back up when it rains |
| A sewer smell, but nothing is clogged | Often a dry trap, a failed toilet seal or a vent problem | Work through the odor checklist; if it could be gas, leave first | Sewer smell in the house |
| The same clog comes back every few months | Something in the line, such as roots, a sag or a break | Ask for a camera inspection before paying for repeated cleanings | Sewer camera inspections |
| A quote says the whole sewer line has to be replaced | Possibly true, possibly not — the video decides | Get the video and a written finding, then compare repair options | Sewer line repair options |
Three questions to answer before you pay anyone
1. Is the problem on your side of the pipe or the utility's?
In Georgia, sewer service comes from city departments, county departments and independent water and sewer authorities, and each one draws the line between its pipe and yours in its own way. If the blockage is in the public part of the system, it is the utility's job, and calling them first can save you a service fee. Who is responsible for the sewer line.
2. Is the person you are hiring licensed for the work?
Georgia licenses plumbers through the Secretary of State, and you can look up a license online in a minute. The guide explains which license to ask for, the questions that separate a careful company from a pushy one, and where to complain if a job goes wrong. How to hire a drain or sewer company in Georgia.
3. Do you know what you are paying for?
A cable machine, hydro jetting and a camera inspection are different services at different prices. Knowing what each one does, and what drives the bill, makes it much easier to compare quotes. Which drain service you need and what drives the cost.
Start with the in-depth guides
- In-depth
How to Hire a Drain Cleaning Company in Georgia
How to check a Georgia plumber's license, compare estimates, spot red flags and storm chasers, and where to complain if a drain or sewer job goes wrong.
- In-depth
Sewer Backup in Your House: What to Do, Step by Step
What to do when sewage backs up into a Georgia home: the first steps, who to call, how to clean up safely, and when to hire a professional cleanup crew.
- In-depth
Snaking, Hydro Jetting or a Camera? Which Drain Service You Need
How plungers, augers, drum and sectional machines, hydro jetting, camera inspection and excavation differ, and how to match the method to your clog.
- In-depth
Who Is Responsible for Your Sewer Line in Georgia?
How Georgia sewer providers split the line between homeowner and utility, with a provider-by-provider table and steps to confirm the rule for your address.
All guides by topic
Backups, clogs and odors
What to do when sewage comes up a drain, how to tell a main-line clog from a single slow drain, why drains act up when it rains, and where a sewer smell comes from.
Drain and sewer cleaning methods
Plungers, augers, cable machines, hydro jetting and camera inspections: what each one does, when it is the right call, and what you can safely try yourself first.
Hiring a pro, costs and insurance
How to check a Georgia plumber or drain company, read a quote, handle insurance after a backup, and sort out who pays when the house is a rental.
Your sewer line
Where your pipe ends and the utility’s begins, how to find the cleanout, what your pipe is made of, and the options when a line needs repair.
Septic systems and prevention
How to tell whether your home is on septic or sewer, how septic tanks are pumped and cared for in Georgia, and the everyday habits that keep drains clear.
About this site
Georgia Sewer Guide is written and edited by Toma Tomov, an independent publisher in Georgia. The guides rely on primary sources — Georgia agencies, the utilities' own pages, the plumbing code, and federal health and safety agencies — and each one lists them. The site doesn't sell service, take referral fees or rank companies. It is funded by advertising, which is labeled and kept apart from the guides. Read how the site works and the Editorial Policy.