When the City Sewer Fails: Understanding Your Responsibility

There are a few things worse for a homeowner than experiencing a sewer backup in Santa Clara, CA. When sewage starts bubbling up from a drain, it’s not just a disgusting mess. It’s an emergency that can cause extensive damage and pose serious health risks. A common but often confusing question is who is responsible for the cleanup and repairs. While you might think the city is responsible, that isn’t always the case. Understanding where your property’s responsibility ends and the city’s begins is critical for a fast resolution. When you need immediate help, a professional company like EJ Home Services can help you handle the crisis.

Understanding the Difference

The key to knowing your responsibility lies in the two main parts of your sewer system: the public main and your private lateral line. The public main pipe is the large pipe, typically located under the street, that collects waste from all the homes in your neighborhood. This is maintained by the city. Your private lateral line is the pipe that connects your home to the public main. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the maintenance and repair of your lateral line, even the portion beneath public property.

The Culprit: Your Private Line

Most incidents are caused by blockages in the homeowner’s private lateral line. These clogs can be caused by a variety of common problems. Flushing non-biodegradable items, pouring grease down the drain, or even a buildup of soap and hair can lead to a significant blockage. However, one of the most common causes of a mainline backup is tree roots. As roots grow, they seek out moisture and can infiltrate small cracks in your pipe, creating a dense blockage. If you have a sewage backup in the basement, it’s almost always a sign of a problem with your own line.

When the City is Responsible

While your private lateral line is usually the source of the problem, a sewage backup can sometimes be a result of a clog in the city’s main sewer line. This is much less common due to the city’s regular maintenance and larger pipe size, but it can happen. If you suspect the city’s line is the issue, you should contact them immediately. The city will send a crew to inspect the mainline to determine if the blockage is their responsibility. If it is, they’ll handle the repair and any necessary sewage cleanup. If they determine the problem is on your property, you’ll need to call a plumber right away.

Repair and Restoration

Once the source of the problem has been identified, the real work begins. If the blockage is in your line, you need to call a professional to resolve the issue. Often, a professional plumber will use hydro jetting, which uses a high-pressure stream of water to blast away clogs, grease, and even tree roots. If the pipe is damaged beyond a simple cleaning, you may need a repair.

A modern solution is trenchless sewer repair, which can fix or replace a pipe without extensive excavation, saving your yard from a major mess. After the pipe is clear, the next step is a thorough sewage cleanup to make sure the area is safe and sanitary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some signs of a sewer backup?

Signs include gurgling toilets, slow draining sinks, foul odors from drains, and water coming up through basement floor drains.

Is sewer line repair covered by homeowners’ insurance?

Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover damage from a sewage backup unless you have a specific endorsement or rider added to your policy.

Can I use a chemical drain cleaner to fix a sewer backup?

Chemical drain cleaners are not powerful enough to clear a mainline blockage and can cause damage to your pipes.

Act Fast!

If you’re dealing with a sewer backup in Santa Clara, CA, don’t wait. The damage can quickly escalate, leading to costly repairs and a significant health hazard. For expert assistance with everything from pipe clearing to complete sewage cleanup, contact EJ Home Services today. Our team is equipped to diagnose and fix your sewer problem efficiently.