Sewer line problem

Irene_2

I have a building in Brooklyn. Tenant calls to tell me that the sewer line has backed up for the second time in 4 months. Word around the hood is that it happened to some of other buildings also. Now this is the only times that this has happened in 7 years. Is it the cities problem, does it have to do with all the rain New York has been having? Is there a valve or shut off that can be put on a sewer line to prevent this from reoccuring? Or does it means something else could be wrong with the pipes or venting perhaps? ( the sewer line is not that old)
I am always grateful for everyones advice.
Thanks
Irene

Weezbo

could be a city problem.

our muni has lined and been lining the existing sewer with s huge plastic liner they go back in and cut holes in it..every so often the stuff seems to slip or move and the holes need to be re-cut..many buildings have a back flow preventor on the sewer to protect lines beneath the gound level from backing from the city back into the basement. the drainage piping in the homes comes out of the building beyond the backflo preventor, reasoning it is unlikely to jump up out of the pipe in the street and rise all the way to the first floor. if your building has grinder sumps they can be problamatic...so answer...could be:) here they check any complaint for free. if its yr problem they tell you if its thier problem they fix it tell you and leave.

jackchips_2

Could be

settling of the pipe, broken pipe or even roots.

Camera's are now the tool of choice for checking out underground lines, Irene and many contractors and sewer cleaning companies have them. It's probably what you want to do.

As for prevention, you could look into putting in a backwater valve but they are more for lines that periodically flow full and subject areas to back up problems. The sewer department should be able to tell you if they experience periodic full flow times and you could then look at installing a backwater valve.

Good luck.

Irene_2

backflow valve

Is this hard to have installed, expensive? Seems like a good idea to have even if you have never backed up..

Constantin

I'm a mere homeowner myself...

... I found the folks at the local sewer department to be a wonderful bunch of folks. They were really helpful regarding figuring out where our sewage went, Dye testing, etc.

Calling the Sewer DPW is free. Inquire if anyone else had the same problem first because I'm not sure I'd install a back-flow preventer unless I was positive it's a problem created by the city. It's some money to have one installed. Worse, they don't always work (get clogged, etc.) My in-laws found this out the hard way...

So I'd call the DPW first followed by inquiring around the neighborhood for a good camera-based sewer service. The two should give you a good idea if it's your sewer or the city's sewer that is causing the problem. Good Luck!

jackchips_2

Hard to put a price on

one, Irene. The pipe size, location and depth all impact the cost. They are usually installed in combination sewer, storm lines and systems that are subjected to back-up. This does not seem to be your problem and installing one should probably be your last resort.

You must determine the source of the problem.

Constantin gives excellent advice.

Irene_2

calling the city

I have posted a message on my neighborhood message board to inquire if anyone else's sewers have been doing the same thing. My next call will be to the sewer people.
Thanks
Irene

Dale

Rain

Even the best city sewers can't take the rain you have gotten recently, old citys have water infiltration from storm to sanitary systems and Hard to believe I know but some people pump out basement flooding into the floor drains which overloads the sewers. All you can do is to make sure the lateral from your building is clear and that the city has cleaned the sewer on your street and where it feeds to. I will bet alot of sewerage is going into the ocean now.

Matt Undy

More Questions

Does it resolve itself or did it need to be cleaned with a cable before it began flowing agian? Did it only back up during rain? If it was cleaned, did the person that cleaned it know what they are doing? Some will just penetrate the blockage with a small cutter and won't bore the pipe out to full diameter with a larger cutter. If somone clenaed it, did they hit anything while cleanign it or was it clear?

It is possible that area of the city has combined sewers where the storm water drians of older buildings and streets drains into the same sewer as the sanitary building sewers. The sewere bgin flooded with storm water isn't always caused by somone doign something stupid/illegal.

It is also possible that there are floor drians connected to the storm sewer only which ar backing up instead of the water spiling out of the sanitary sewer(or even that somone added some fixture to the basement and incorrectly connected it to a storm sewer).

If it happened when it was raining and to other buildings at the same time it is probably an overlaod or clog in the city's line. If tis a clog it could just happen to all buildings at once without rain.

Matt

Weezbo

Irene...You may already have one installed.....

we install them as a code thing...so, ehem...you may have only to open an inspection panel twist the top of the valve a bit boink it with a hammer ...should it then drain ...you are able to replace the flapper part easy. something else occured to me...your roof drainage system may be the culprit depending upon how it is routed..usually ,it goes off on its own to a pipe in the ground especially for it..........the reason a backflow preventor cannot be installed outside the building is ..should it malfunction the drainage from the upper floors would fill up the basement bathtubs and fixtures.and flood the basement.hence the reason for the drainage water from upper floors to come out of the building First as it were beyond the backflow...to check if it is a backflow or city problem open the clean out plug a liitle bit outside the building if water starts comming out ,leaking from around the threads , it means the water level is that high at least. dont completely remove this plug as you really dont need that kind of shower To Day! if the city lines are clear it means someone needs to clear the line to the street thats all. in such a case my advise is Steam IT! 80$ later they are all out the line is whistel clean. Ok?