Water Damage Restoration services in Atlanta

Atlanta's older intown neighborhoods sit beside newer northern suburbs, so a call here can involve anything from a backed-up lateral under a century-old bungalow to a leak in a large newer home. Sewage backup and basement water are common topics.

Cities and neighborhoods: Brookhaven, Buckhead, East Atlanta, Grant Park, Inman Park & Candler Park, Kirkwood, Virginia-Highland & Morningside, West End.

If a backup is coming from the public side, you need to contact the right public system. Inside city limits, that is Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management, even in the DeKalb County parts of the city such as East Atlanta and Candler Park. In most of Brookhaven, it is DeKalb County's Department of Watershed Management. The mailing address will not necessarily tell you which.

Atlanta gets about 50 inches of precipitation a year, spread fairly evenly, so the city's old pipes and red clay rarely get a long break. July is typically the wettest month, at about 4.75 inches.

Atlanta and DeKalb are both under federal attention. The city's sewers once included combined lines; work on those lines, including tunnels for storage, wrapped up by 2009, while sanitary repairs got until 2027. DeKalb agreed to a consent decree in 2010, covering a network of about 2,600 miles and over 500,000 people, and a modification to it was proposed in 2020.

None of this means your drain is the public system's fault. Many backups start in a private lateral, where tree roots, old clay pipe or Orangeburg can fail. If a contractor finds the lateral clear, take it to the utility. Sewage backup cleanup covers the indoor side of it.

Atlanta is known for its tree canopy, and roots find old sewer joints. Clay soil also holds water against a foundation wall. An intown bungalow with a low basement or crawlspace can stay damp for days after a storm, and stored belongings can go moldy before anyone notices. A hilly lot adds runoff, so check gutters and the grade before blaming a pipe.

Paint and old materials need thought in these neighborhoods as well. Ask about lead-safe work in pre-1978 homes, and test old floor tile or pipe wrap before tearing it out. In historic districts, check whether exterior changes need review before replacing windows or porches.

A standard homeowners policy often needs an added endorsement for sewer or drain backup, and flood generally needs a separate policy. Burst pipes and sudden appliance leaks are usually handled differently. After a big event like 2009, many people learned this too late, so check yours now.

Questions can go to Georgia's insurance commissioner. Working with your insurance adjuster gives tips on what to prepare.