Our Sewer is backing up

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-27-2010, 01:19 PM

**updated on page 2, all is well now**

Unfreakingbelievable.

We've got one week left of owning this place, and suddenly there is sewage spewing out of my basement drain every time we flush a toilet or run the washer.

I just called the city sewer department, and I am desperately hoping that it's their problem.

**thesightofoneself** · 05-27-2010, 01:23 PM

i feel for you, i hate when that happens. hopefully the city will make it all better

**Liane** · 05-27-2010, 01:26 PM

OMG. I am so sorry this is happening. Hope the sewer people can fix it and you have no cost. May it be fixed quickly too. Hang in there, we all feel for you. Wishing that your day gets better. xxxxx

**frugalfranny** · 05-27-2010, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

Unfreakingbelievable.

I just called the city sewer department, and I am desperately hoping that it's their problem.

Oh YUK! Sorry this is happening to you MW.

My first thought was TREE ROOTS.......any really old trees close to the pipeline........or even not so close!!!!????

Any arborvitae nearby? They are NOTORIOUS for doing this.....if any weak spot in the pipe and they can go in THEY WILL!! Maples are another one that will go into any weak spot for water.......or cooler area.

Will be hoping the city has to take are of it......good luck.......and keep us updated!!

**mek42** · 05-27-2010, 02:05 PM

We just had to have the rooter / drain cleaner guy come to remove a couple basketball volumes of maple roots from ours. Cost was $200 (USD). Not horribly expensive. We were very thankful for having that baby EF though.

**freebs** · 05-27-2010, 02:21 PM

You are on city sewer?? If not i would go get a pound of yeast and flush it down your toilet. It will give your sewer a good bacteria start!

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-27-2010, 05:28 PM

Well, the guys from the city came and snaked the line from the house to the street. They said there was a blockage about 2 feet out and they cleared it. So far it seems to be okay, we flushed the toilet and nothing terrible happened. I'm still nervous though.

They didn't leave a bill or say anything about a charge, so I don't know if we have to pay for it or not.

**Libby** · 05-27-2010, 05:30 PM

MW - Poo fountains are not fun!!

If the city cleared the clog then you're good to go. I don't think they'll charge you. Where was the clog exactly - 2ft from where?

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-27-2010, 05:33 PM

2ft from the house

**Libby** · 05-27-2010, 06:45 PM

Depending on how big your lawn is and where the actual city line is - they may not charge you anything. I'd like to think that if you had to pay, they'd let you know before leaving. If you're brave enough you can call to find out if you have to pay but not sure if that would flag them to charge you if they never planned on it to start with. Tough call. I'd opt to sit back and do nothing. If the bill comes in, you'll know its valid.

Our first two back ups were on the 'city side' and they totally dug up the front lawn, 1/2 of our driveway, sidewalk and road. When they came back the following year or so, they fixed it properly so they didn't have to visit us again a third time and they paved our driveway and landscaped our lawn for free as well as fixing the sidewalk/road. We were the talk of the hood for months b/c of this lol.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-27-2010, 07:09 PM

I'll not call them, but if they send me a bill that's fine. My only real fear is that there is something worse going on, and that it will happen again before we leave, and involve digging.

He had to smash the cap on the sewer cleanout because someone had cemented and painted over it, I have to go to HD tonight and get a replacement. So, I actually have a secondary fear today that some sewer rat will decide to go exploring up that pipe before I get it covered. I don't know how realistic that is, but being born and raised in an old port city, I have a tendency to be always expecting rats.

**Libby** · 05-27-2010, 07:24 PM

My dad stuffed rags into the sewer opening until we were able to get to HD to get a new cap....I'd suggest you do the same. If it's been moved you'll know.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-27-2010, 09:04 PM

We have had that prob. every year. It bubbled up alot last week from the rain. Our neighbor drained his pool too but I'm sure that unrelated.(right).
Anyway,I am sorry. That is so awful when it happens. Make sure you bleach everywhere. Sewer rats never occured to me.

**mauimagic** · 05-27-2010, 09:53 PM

Am so glad that they came so quickly. Of course there'll be no charge!!

**frugalfranny** · 05-28-2010, 01:26 AM

Glad you got it fixed.

I wouldn't say a word...........let them send you the bill....if there is going to be one...........maybe they will be nice or you will get lucky and it will get lost!!