Sewer backing up onto sidewalk!?!

**nonlinearedits** · 01-23-2012, 12:02 PM

Recently I noticed that my sewer is backing up onto the side walk out of the vent pipe thing out there... There's a water cap next to it that is sometimes until sewer water and I'm terrified that my family and dogs have been drinking contaminated water!? And I don't even know where to go to find out about getting this fixed?? Is it the city's issue? Do I have to get it fixed? Has anyone had this happen before?

**mac** · 01-23-2012, 12:07 PM

Call 311. They will send someone out to inspect immediately. Be clear explaining the issue and leave your name and contact info so that an inspector can follow up with you. I would also start looking for a good plumber.

**Valalu** · 01-23-2012, 12:22 PM

If you need to have the line replaced the water department has a loan program ...Homeowner's Emergency Loan Program (HELP)

To apply for a loan or to find out more about HELP, please call (215) 685-4901.
The Philadelphia Water Department administers the Homeowner's Emergency Loan Program (HELP), an interest-free, installment-payment loan program for water service line and/or sewer lateral repairs. To be eligible for HELP:

The applicant must be the homeowner of record and reside at the property, The property must have received a Notice of Defect (NOD) issued by PWD, The property must be listed as a residential or mixed residential/commercial property,
The property must have an operable water meter, The property cannot have more than four (4) units, and
The water bill and/or any payment agreements must be current. All repair costs and fees borrowed must be repaid to the City of Philadelphia.
Good luck....

**Burholme06** · 01-23-2012, 12:25 PM

Unless your neighbors are having a similar problem, it’s likely a blockage between your clean-out and the city sewer pipe. This would be your responsibility I think. There isn’t a threat of getting sewage in your water system due to a back-up - that water connection that I think you are referring to is simply a shut off.

**Ho Chi Minh** · 01-23-2012, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by mac

Call 311. They will send someone out to inspect immediately. Be clear explaining the issue and leave your name and contact info so that an inspector can follow up with you. I would also start looking for a good plumber.

You may want to call a plumber first. Once you call 311 they will send out the Water Dept, and once they arrive and determine it is a problem with your sewer line they will issue a notice that it must be fixed in 10 days or they turn off the water. And if it needs to be replaced it is over $2k.

**friendlynerd** · 01-23-2012, 01:33 PM

This happened to me once. It's likely just a blockage as suggested above. In my case someone flushed a few paper towels, they got caught, and backed up the whole works. It just needs to be snaked out which will only run you maybe $100-150. I would NOT call 311, it's your property and you will be expected to deal with it as such. The only possible result of getting the city involved will be more money spent by you.

**nonlinearedits** · 01-23-2012, 01:33 PM

Thanks for all the info guys... I unfortunately jumped the gun and called the water dept... It's just a clogged trap, guy said I need someone to come over and snake it from inside the house so it doesnt push stuff back into my home. I did get the 10 day citation... Luckily I don't need anything replaced he said just pushed through. I noticed during the mummers parade some jerk kick what looked like a broken bottle and it droppped right into that hole since the cover keeps coming off... I guess it just took a little time to clog it since it didn't start until a few days ago... Anyone ever have a clogged trap that can recommend a plumber?

**nonlinearedits** · 01-23-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by friendlynerd

This happened to me once. It's likely just a blockage as suggested above. In my case someone flushed a few paper towels, they got caught, and backed up the whole works. It just needs to be snaked out which will only run you maybe $100-150. I would NOT call 311, it's your property and you will be expected to deal with it as such. The only possible result of getting the city involved will be more money spent by you.

That's exactly what it was, at least I know for next time about calling PWD... The guy was super nice and told me to call the number on the non-fine citation after its fixed and hell hook me up with a new cap for the pipe since mine for some reason doesn't fit.

**Marvel** · 01-23-2012, 01:41 PM

I had the same thing happen and I called Roto-Rooter

**irishlaxer** · 01-23-2012, 01:43 PM

I had a clean out done in the fall at my house. I called Edward Hughes plumbing and they sent someone out that afternoon for the snake out. I want to say I spent 125 - 150 total.

Phone: 215-425-4737
Web: Edward Hughes and Sons Inc

Good luck! It was painless for me so I wish you the same luck.

**qweezyq** · 01-23-2012, 03:15 PM

125-150 sounds like a good price. Just make sure they warranty their work for a period of time.... at least 30 days.

**hubba1** · 01-23-2012, 05:16 PM

I had this problem also, luckily the former owners of my house must have had this issue before also, as they left behind a 10 foot long metal pipe with a small plunger on the end, if you can get a hold of one of those from a friend, you can do it yourself. I just popped the cap off the sidewalk, and shoved the pole down and plunged for about 15 minutes... then the paper that was blocking the trap came shooting out, problem solved! BUT if you think it may be more, or aren't comfortable... then a pro may be the safer way to do it.

**qweezyq** · 01-23-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by hubba1

I had this problem also, luckily the former owners of my house must have had this issue before also, as they left behind a 10 foot long metal pipe with a small plunger on the end, if you can get a hold of one of those from a friend, you can do it yourself. I just popped the cap off the sidewalk, and shoved the pole down and plunged for about 15 minutes... then the paper that was blocking the trap came shooting out, problem solved! BUT if you think it may be more, or aren't comfortable... then a pro may be the safer way to do it.

If you only have to go 10 feet or so, u can by a snake at HD pretty inexpensively. If you need to go the whole length of the line and if it is a big blockage with possible roots to be cut out, you can rent a heavy duty snake from HD. It is a disgusting job, but since my line backed up a day after the warranty from the AAA plumbing company I used and they refused to fix it for free, I decided if I wanted it done right I had to do it myself.
Problem is, you can clean out a clog enough for it to flow again, but unless you really get it all out it will just clog up again. In my case, I think it was root intrusion and had to use the attachment to cut it out.

**Valley Twin** · 01-24-2012, 06:39 AM

No need to worry (in the future) about family/dogs drinking contaminated water if this happens again. Your water service (the line the brings water into your home) is completely separate from your drain (sewer) line bringing waste out of your home. A blockage or break in a drain line doesn't contaminate your water supply.

Now if your dog and family are lapping liquids up off the sidwalk, that's another story.....

**Sean** · 01-24-2012, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by qweezyq

If you only have to go 10 feet or so, u can by a snake at HD pretty inexpensively. If you need to go the whole length of the line and if it is a big blockage with possible roots to be cut out, you can rent a heavy duty snake from HD. It is a disgusting job, but since my line backed up a day after the warranty from the AAA plumbing company I used and they refused to fix it for free, I decided if I wanted it done right I had to do it myself.
Problem is, you can clean out a clog enough for it to flow again, but unless you really get it all out it will just clog up again. In my case, I think it was root intrusion and had to use the attachment to cut it out.

I had a blocked trap and first tried using a small snake I had, it was not strong enough to clean out the sidewalk trap. I went to HD and rented the heavy duty one. Once I had it I cleaned out all my traps and the entire length of the sewer pipe in the house so I'd be sure everything was clean. This was 3+ years ago and I haven't had a problem since.

**StadiumRocks** · 03-26-2012, 10:17 PM

I have this problem too. Prior to this incident, everytime we used a lot of water on kitchen sink, the sewer was backing up through the basement sink (there's no floor drain), but not high enough to make it spill out the sink. No backing up occur when using bathroom. Since the bathroom drain is in between kitchen/basement sink drain and main sewer, I thought the clog must be somewhere between bathroom drain and basement sink drain. But since 2 days ago, everytime we use bathroom my sewer is backing up out of the vent pipe on the sidewalk. What I don't understand is, how come the sewer is backing up high enough to go out of the vent but not high enough to spill out of basement sink (the position of the vent is much higher than the basement sink).
If I had to unclog the sewer myself (renting easy outer from Home Depot), where should I start (the vent or somewhere near the basement sink)?

Thank you in advance.

Eddy

**Wifi** · 03-27-2012, 08:55 AM

If you actually own your home I would recommend buying a Drain Rod set for about $50 bucks. This isn't going to be the last time your sewer backs up.

A drain rod can be found locally at any plumber supply store. Renters have plungers, home owners should own a drain rod. We all know how effective a plunger can be before you have to snake something. Paying someone $100 bucks for 15 mins of poking ain't worth the waiting around for Louie Da Plumb-ma.

You can get the disk for under $10 bucks if you want to use a long paint stick or buy one at Lowes...

12 Pc Drain Rod Set with Worm and 100mm Plunger | eBay

**StadiumRocks** · 03-27-2012, 08:11 PM

Wifi, thank you for the great info. I'd like to get one just in case.

**sharkey** · 03-28-2012, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by hubba1

I had this problem also, luckily the former owners of my house must have had this issue before also, as they left behind a 10 foot long metal pipe with a small plunger on the end, if you can get a hold of one of those from a friend, you can do it yourself. I just popped the cap off the sidewalk, and shoved the pole down and plunged for about 15 minutes... then the paper that was blocking the trap came shooting out, problem solved! BUT if you think it may be more, or aren't comfortable... then a pro may be the safer way to do it.

Yes---do this first. You can buy the rubber disc (it's not a cupped piece like a toilet plunger) at Home Depot, as well as a length of pipe to screw it to. Plunge away.

**sharkey** · 03-28-2012, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by sharkey

Yes---do this first. You can buy the rubber disc (it's not a cupped piece like a toilet plunger) at Home Depot, as well as a length of pipe to screw it to. Plunge away.

Also, if your vent cover is loose or missing, look down the pipe with a strong light first to make sure some little bastard hasn't put a ball or soda can down there.