In Atlanta, biohazard cleanup often follows heavy storms that back up sewers, but it also covers hoarding, trauma scenes and animal waste. Hot, humid summers speed up decay and odor, so these jobs should be handled quickly by trained providers.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent biohazard cleanup provider that serves the Atlanta area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Why biohazard cleanup is needed in Atlanta
Sewage backups in storms
Heavy rain can overwhelm sewer lines and push sewage back up through basement drains and toilets.
Heat and humidity
Hot, humid summers speed up bacteria growth and odor after an unattended death or a spill.
Hoarding
Hoarding cleanup often uncovers mold, pests and sharp objects hidden in built up items.
Rodents and animal waste
Rats, mice and other animals can nest in attics and crawl spaces, leaving droppings and urine soaked insulation.
Areas across Atlanta
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Atlanta, including neighborhoods such as Buckhead, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Grant Park, West End and East Atlanta, and in nearby cities such as Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Smyrna, Dunwoody and East Point.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Atlanta. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Atlanta, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings. Homes in other cities, such as Decatur, Sandy Springs or Marietta, follow the rules of that city or county.
In Georgia, most residential projects above a set dollar amount must be done by a contractor licensed by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
Seasonal risks in Atlanta
If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911. After a death or a crime, the police and medical examiner must finish their work before cleanup begins.
- Spring and summer: storms can bring sewage backups.
- Summer: heat and humidity speed up decay and odor.
- Fall and winter: rodents move indoors.
- All year: hoarding and trauma cleanup can be needed at any time.
Be prepared
- Ask a plumber about a backwater valve if sewage has backed up before
- Check whether your insurance includes sewer backup coverage
- Keep drains clear of grease
- Seal gaps where rodents can get into attics and crawl spaces
- Report sewer spills to the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
Learn more before you call
Our main biohazard cleanup guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Atlanta just as it does everywhere else.
Atlanta questions
Who handles sewer spills in Atlanta?
The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management handles public sewer spills. Cleanup inside your home is usually the homeowner’s responsibility.
Is there help with crime scene cleanup costs in Georgia?
Georgia’s Crime Victims Compensation Program may help eligible victims with some costs. Check with the program directly.
Does insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only with a sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy.
Does Sifixit have an office in Atlanta?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Atlanta area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.