Sewer Excavation in Doraville, GA

Sewer excavation at a rental home or a managed property adds a layer of coordination that an owner-occupied job does not have. The building sewer still has to be located, dug up, repaired and tested, but in Doraville the owner may live out of town, the people living in the house are not the ones paying, and someone has to give the crew access to the yard and the cleanout.

What the owner has to sign

Doraville asks for a notarized affidavit with each permit, as its permits page explains, and when a contractor is hired, it is the property owner who signs one naming that contractor. For a landlord, or a management company acting for one, the owner of record has to sign before a notary, which can take a few days if the owner lives out of town. The city's residential permit checklist also expects plumbing work to be done by a contractor holding the proper license.

Telling tenants what to expect

Tenants live with the practical side: a trench in the yard, equipment in the driveway and a stretch of time when nothing in the house can drain. Give them written notice with the expected dates, the hours when water use must stop and a phone number for the crew lead or manager. If a ground-floor fixture has been backing up, ask them to leave it alone until the repair is done. Point out anything of theirs, such as a vegetable garden or play equipment, that needs moving.

The dig, from locate to backfill

1. The line is inspected and located with a camera inspection, and the repair point is marked on the surface.
2. Public utilities are marked through Georgia 811; private lines such as irrigation have to be pointed out by someone who knows the property.
3. The trench or pit is opened, the failed section is cut out and new pipe is set on firm bedding at a steady fall.
4. The new work is tested, and any inspection the permit calls for takes place while it is still exposed.
5. Backfill goes in compacted layers, and the surface is restored as agreed.

Keeping the property usable during the work

An open trench at a rental is a safety question as much as a plumbing one. Ask how it will be protected overnight, whether with fencing, covers or barricades, and keep the path to the front door clear and solid underfoot. If parking will be blocked, arrange alternatives with the tenants ahead of time. The no-drain window, when the pipe is cut and the new piece goes in, is usually much shorter than the whole job, and a clear message when it starts and ends saves a lot of frustration.

What the estimate should make clear

• The cause found on camera and the length of pipe being replaced.
• Who prepares and files the permit and affidavit paperwork.
• Expected dates and the hours when the plumbing will be out of use.
• Restoration of lawn, walks or driveway, in writing.
• How added work gets approved if the owner cannot be reached quickly.

Questions landlords and managers ask in Doraville

Do tenants have to leave during a sewer repair?

Usually not. Most of the work happens outside, and the house stays livable except for the stretch when drains cannot be used while the line is open. That window can often be planned for a weekday when tenants are out. If sewage has already backed up into living space, cleanup comes first, and water restoration may be needed for the affected rooms.

What causes sewer lines to fail at older rentals?

The same things that cause failures anywhere: roots in clay joints, cast iron corroding from the inside, settling soil that leaves a sag, and grease or wipes building up in a line that already has a defect. Turnover can add to that last problem, since a new occupant may not know what should stay out of the drains. A camera inspection between tenants can catch trouble before it turns into a backup.

How do I approve extra work if I cannot get to the site?

Agree on a process before the job starts. A sensible arrangement is that the crew stops when it finds something outside the original scope, sends photos or video, and waits for written approval of the added price. Some owners set a limit below which the manager can approve on their behalf. That keeps the work moving without anyone being surprised by the final bill.

Coordinate the job with us

Managing a Doraville property with a sewer line that needs digging? Call Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448 and we will help line up the dig with you, the owner and your tenants.