Sewer Backup In Our Basement.

jaslo · October 6, 2010

About a week ago, our basement was flooded with sewer water in our basement. It got to be about 1" in the garage and got the carpet wet in the finished part of the basement. We even had little pieces of toilet paper and _ _ _ _ in our garage! They sent Servpro to come out and decontaminate the basement, but basically our basement has been gutted. Now the insurance company is going to prorate the stuff we had in the basement and give us that amount and we will have to pay the rest. I think this is a bunch of crap.

Has anybody else ever dealt with this? Should we sue? I don't want to sue the sewer company for a million dollars, I just want my basement restored to back the way it was.

focijoe · October 6, 2010

You would have to be able to prove it was the sewer companies fault. Are you sure you didn't have a blockage somewhere on your property?

txab · October 6, 2010

I know one thing.... you need to get a check valve installed in your sewer line to prevent this from happening again

dirtfan21 · October 6, 2010

I work for a municipality and have a cousin that tv's storm and sanitary sewer lines for us. Basically, you need to figure out if the lateral to your home off the main line was the cause, or if the main line itself backed up causing the issues. If it was your lateral, our ordinace says it is on the owner. I highly doubt a back up was your fault though.

Is the sanitary sewer that provides your house combined? Did it storm/ rain extremely hard? Did power go out? There are many issues on both sides that could cause this.

If the power went out a lift station could have went down, which would back up all sewers it pumps. If the line is combined and recieves storm sewer also, the line could have charged back into your home do to the line at full capacity. If your main line is a force main and power went out, the line could have stopped pumping.

I have never personally delt with sewer back ups, just storm water issues, so I could not tell you the typical process for a sewer department. I do know that we have been sued prior, just not sure of the outcome.

Very sorry to hear this. Just remember, a good community does what it can to make sure this never happens and will try to make it right. That is... a GOOD community. Residents do have to understand that sometimes, and I mean sometimes, an issue can be out of anyone's control.

Good luck. I hope all goes back to square one.

jaslo · October 6, 2010

The cause of the backup was tree roots growing in the sewer line. I found this out, because I asked the workers once they came back to put the manhole cover back. The manhole cover is between me and the neighbors house. The sewer water was a foot from the top of the manhole cover. Since our house is about level or a little bit below the manhole cover, the sewer backed into the house. I don't think the previous owners of this house, have ever had this issue. It took them maybe a half an hour to find the problem and fix it. For paying $52.00 a month for sewer you think they could maintain it. So, now we have a ripped up basement and house that smells like cleaner. What do I do?

Silverado4x4 · October 6, 2010

There is nothing you can do but deal with it and let the insurance company handle it.

ryan_hermanutz · October 7, 2010

That sucks man. It sounds like it was your sewer line that was the problem, so that usually means that it's your responsibility.

dirtfan21 · October 7, 2010

The cause of the backup was tree roots growing in the sewer line. I found this out, because I asked the workers once they came back to put the manhole cover back. The manhole cover is between me and the neighbors house. The sewer water was a foot from the top of the manhole cover. Since our house is about level or a little bit below the manhole cover, the sewer backed into the house. I don't think the previous owners of this house, have ever had this issue. It took them maybe a half an hour to find the problem and fix it. For paying $52.00 a month for sewer you think they could maintain it. So, now we have a ripped up basement and house that smells like cleaner. What do I do?

Did they use a vactor to grind out the lines for you or did they declare it your private laterall? I know in our city's ordinace we do not maintain the private line off of the main. In this case I would look at the inspection for the home. I would guess you had one done to get a loan. If it was bypassed by the inspector I would be concerned. They should have inspected the laterall off the main during inspection, or at least I know they do around here.

Now... if the main line had roots though it, the sewer company is at fault. If the main line was not maintained and caused this, I believe you have a case. Make sure they use a vactor to clean the line and remove all roots. Then have them TV the line to see if a section needs slip lined or replaced totally. If it had roots in it, it will not function properly until fixed. It should not happen again on their watch, if they know of the problem.

From your description it sounds like you have a main line running between you and your neighbor's house which accepts both you and your neighbor's sewer and many others. Biggest issue we have in our city is that we have so many of these issues they budget a certain amount of fixes per year, per worst areas. So... long story short make sure they fix it, so it cannot happen again, and claim insurance. As shitty as it is, most cities have pretty good lawyers that will find any loop hole in the ordinace to combat this. I don't think it is right but what do I know...

I would also possible look into a back flow preventor that will not allow the sewer to back up into your home. Again, this costs money and usually is at the owner's expense.

jaslo · October 7, 2010

I forgot to mention it was in the main sewer line. I guess they used a vac machine to clean out the roots and thats it. I don't think they have replaced any of the line, which makes me think the roots will just grow back. I want something in writing that the sewer company will do a yearly check on the sewer line and if anything happens then its on them. Also, how much does a back flow preventer cost? Once this is all settled I will definately look into getting this put into my house. Who can install one of these backflow preventers?

Also, if they want to prorate the stuff that we have to replace is a bunch of * * * *. Its not like we are going to go out and replace our drywall, carpet, doors and trim with used stuff. Our basement will have to be totally redone. I won't even begin to tell you how bad the smell of the cleaners was and still is. If we can go over my mother in-laws house and she can smell it on us, that must mean it is a little strong.

txab · October 7, 2010

The backflow device can be installed by a licensed plumber. The install labor will be more than the cost of the BF preventer. It will be worth every penny not to have to go through what you are right now, ever again.

The problem of all your stuff being prorated is the fault of your insurance policy apparently. Most policy will make all repairs to walls and floors by paying 100% minus your deductible. Damaged items like TVs and furniture may be prorated unless you are paying for "replacement cost" in your policy premium

I would talk to Servepro to see if they can come out and "air out" your basement with their equipment

Example of one type of valve. Your local municipality may have requirements to use another version

http://www.backwater-valves.com/Back-water-valves.asp

dirtfan21 · October 7, 2010

I forgot to mention it was in the main sewer line. I guess they used a vac machine to clean out the roots and thats it. I don't think they have replaced any of the line, which makes me think the roots will just grow back. I want something in writing that the sewer company will do a yearly check on the sewer line and if anything happens then its on them. Also, how much does a back flow preventer cost? Once this is all settled I will definately look into getting this put into my house. Who can install one of these backflow preventers?

Also, if they want to prorate the stuff that we have to replace is a bunch of * * * *. Its not like we are going to go out and replace our drywall, carpet, doors and trim with used stuff. Our basement will have to be totally redone. I won't even begin to tell you how bad the smell of the cleaners was and still is. If we can go over my mother in-laws house and she can smell it on us, that must mean it is a little strong.

My biggest concern now is that the strength of the line is compramised and a cave in could take place now that the roots have been removed. By this I mean that the wall of the pipe can fall in and will fill with soil. If nothing has been excavated, they have not fixed the line.

As for the backflow preventer... call any contractor that does sewer work and see if it is even possible for home use. Typically this is used on water lines to prevent used water from ending up coming out of your faucet. I want to say the same thing can be done on a sewer line, but I am not overly possitive. If it is possible I would also have a new clean out installed at this area to maintain preventor.

In my opinion NOBODY should be responsible for spending their own money to prevent what you had occur. I do know the smell of those cleaners and I am suprised you can even be in house at the moment. It has to be completely terrible.

I also agree that insurance should not screw you with BS estimates that are low ball. They should accept estimates from contractors for the corrections and add on the cleaning you spent.

I wish I could do more for you but my knowledge not the best. I hope I have helped in some way. Whatever you do don't let a non ethical contractor screw you for something you don't need. Check with the sewer department or engineering department before you have any work done on your dime. They SHOULD be there to serve you.

Warning: Private sewer work can get stupid pricey fast...

EDIT: Great info listed above. Call a sewer contrator for estimates.

Wingnut · October 7, 2010

What a shitty thread.

jaslo · October 7, 2010

Its not my insurance that is trying to screw me, its the sewer companies insurance. On the day it happened, luckily my brother-in law stopped by our house to start working on our deck, and when he went inside to open up the garage door, that is when he noticed the sewer water. And that was at 1:30 in the afternoon. Could you imagine how deep it could have been if he didn't come over at that time, because we usually get home at 5:00 in the evening. The first thing the sewer company did after they fixed the line, was to send some guy over to vacuum up the water out of the carpet. All he used was a big shop vac. The next day I called the sewer company and they wanted to know when would be a good day for the guy to come back and clean the rest of the carpet. (Because some of it, actually did not get wet). I said its sewer water in the carpet. The sewer company told me the guy used clean water to clean out the carpet and everything else was fine. That was when I about lost it and my wife started to do the talking.

So, for right now we are getting estimates on how much to fix our basement back to the way it was and trying to get a opinion from a lawyer to see if we have a case here.

kdixer · October 7, 2010

If the Sewer Company's insurance is picking up the tab, then that is a good sign they have admitted fault. I hate to say it, because this country seems to be lawsuit crazy , but legal actions may be necessary to make sure all is covered and replaced correctly.