On This Page
- Introduction
- First Steps
- Cleaning Up After Floods/Sewer Backups
- Health and Safety Issues
- Cleanup Guidelines
- Sewer Terminology
Introduction
Having sewage back up into the home is an unpleasant and potentially unhealthy experience. The information contained here can help protect you from the hazards of raw sewage in your basement and give you practical methods for proper sanitation of your building should a back-up occur.
Sewers can back-up into your basement from several paths during storms and it is the property owner’s responsibility to protect the building. Open floor drains are the major culprit, as are basement plumbing fixtures (toilets, sinks, shower drains, etc.). If you live in the City of Rochester, where storm and sanitary sewers are combined, the Rochester Pure Waters District recommends that all potential avenues for sewage to back-up into your basement be eliminated. Floor drains are intended to allow water (from a broken water pipe, groundwater, etc.) out of your basement on (what should be) rare occasions. Otherwise, floor drains should always be capped off—a plumber can help you. If you must have plumbing fixtures in your basement, a licensed plumber can install devices that may protect you from backups (check valves, etc.). Open floor drains and basement plumbing fixtures put you and your property at risk during storms.
Roots growing inside the lateral and blocking the pipe is the most common reason for sewer back-up not related to storms. Any internal plumbing problem, is the responsibility of the property owner—a private plumbing contractor should be called.
In rare cases, the main sewer line can break, become blocked or be overwhelmed with stormwater resulting in area-wide backups. Monroe County Pure Waters continually maintains and repairs the City of Rochester’s public sewer system and the sanitary sewer system in the towns of Gates, Chili and Ogden—reducing the potential for backups.
If your property has not been protected and you experience a sewer backup, a quick response will go a long way toward limiting the possibility of long term health effects and property damage. This page includes helpful phone numbers where you can receive additional information and advice. Keep it in a handy place for quick reference if you have a sewer problem.
First Steps
Main sewer issues in many geographic areas in the county are handled by local towns/villages. Monroe County Pure Waters conducts sewer operations and maintenance activities in the City of Rochester and the towns of Gates, Chili and Ogden only. If a backup occurs in these service areas, Pure Waters can be called at 753-7600 (Option #1). A Pure Waters maintenance crew will be dispatched. Constituents in Pure Waters' serviced areas also have the option to call a plumber. A plumber should be able to troubleshoot and fix almost all causes of a sewer backup. The county cannot recommend any plumber—check your Yellow Pages. You may want to get more than one estimate and check references. If the plumber believes that there is a malfunction with the main sewer or in your lateral on the street-side of a LLCO, Pure Waters can be called at 753-7600 (Option #1)—in Rochester, Gates, Chili and Ogden ONLY.
Cleaning Up After Floods/Sewer Backups
Proper responses to sewer backups can greatly minimize negative health effects and property damage, destruction of your valuables and the risk of electrocution. Prompt cleanup of affected property can help minimize the inconvenience and damage. Most homeowner-type insurance policies DO NOT cover sewer backup damage. Ask your insurance agent for details on an inexpensive policy rider that can save you considerable expense and effort.
Health and Safety Issues
Please be aware of the risk of potential health and safety problems when addressing the cleanup of your home. Sewage and floodwaters can contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other hazardous microorganisms which can cause disease. These “germs” can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes. Children can be especially vulnerable. Odors from sewage backups are unpleasant but not harmful. The speedy removal and cleanup of sewer water is very important and necessary.
To protect yourself and your family during cleanup, please follow these guidelines
- To reduce the danger of electrocution, do not enter your basement if it is flooded—call the fire department. The fire department will call your utility company if necessary.
- Avoid skin contact with sewer water—especially open cuts and sores. If you should suffer a cut while working in flood or sewer water, contact your physician.
- Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by sewage backup.
- Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
- Keep contaminated objects, water, and hands away from face (mucous membranes).
- Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before eating, and immediately following contact with sewer water or contaminated objects/surfaces.
If you chose to cleanup your property yourself:
These companies will sell/rent you the cleaning materials you will need if you live in Monroe County and you have had a sanitary or storm sewer backup into your basement.
- Highland Maintenance Inc.
95 Mt. Read Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14611
Phone: 278-1958 - Goodman Janitorial Supply Inc.
355 North St.
Rochester, NY 14605
Phone: 546-6993 - Rochester Janitor Supplies Inc.
1281 Mt. Read Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14606
Phone: 454-1378
Many private companies can handle the cleanup for you:
- These companies will service you (for a fee) if you live in Monroe County and you have had a sanitary or storm sewer backup into your basement.
- Rainbow International Restoration:Phone: (585) 458-1111
- Rapid Dry Residential & Commercial:Phone: (585) 663-0510
- Servpro of Monroe County:Phone: (585) 723-1990
- Allpro Cleaning & Restoration:Phone: (585) 487-6212
Important things you can do to reduce basement flooding and its risks
- Never dump anything into street sewers. Leaves, grass clippings, motor oil and other items keep sewers from flowing and pose a hazard to people working in the sewers.
- Make sure that the catch basins on your street are not covered by trash, leaves, paper, or other items. Blocked catch basins can cause street flooding.
- Clean your private drain system regularly. Also have them inspected annually.
- Disconnect sump pumps/downspouts from sanitary sewers.
- Consider having an appropriate basement flood prevention device installed on your property. These may include:
- A simple hand operated gate valve
- An automatic check valve
- A standpipe
- A metal or plastic plug for the floor drain.
Sewer Terminology
Very few people understand the terminology associated with the sewer system. Below is a quick guide to sewer vocabulary that will help you understand sewer back-ups.
Sanitary Sewer – the pipes that handle wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers, etc. – this waste eventually ends up at a wastewater treatment plant where it is cleaned before being discharged into the environment.
Storm Sewer – the pipes that handle stormwater (usually from catch basins in the street) which run to streams, ponds, rivers, lakes, etc. without being cleaned.
Combined Sewer – in older cities (like Rochester) storm and sanitary sewers are “combined” and all the water is cleaned at a wastewater treatment facility. Because stormwater can overload the sewers, this is not the best way to treat wastewater. It would, however, cost taxpayers billions of dollars to dig up city sewers and separate them.
Main Sewer – the sewer pipe in the street, generally a municipal responsibility.
Building Lateral – the pipe that carries sewage to the main sewer in the street. This entire pipe (along with all the plumbing within the building) is the responsibility of the building owner.
Lot Line Cleanout (LLCO) – some properties have an access pipe installed down to the building lateral (generally located on the property side of the sidewalk) that allows the municipality to maintain/repair the building lateral out to the main sewer (the actual LLCO pipe—and locating it for municipal service—is the building owner’s responsibility). Most of these devices require the use of a licensed, professional plumbing contractor. Before having any work done on your plumbing system, get at least two estimates from different contractors.
FAQs
How do I fix a sewer backup in my basement? ›
Fix Sewage Backup in Basement Floor Drains
Another option like Coca-Cola may clear a sewage backup, but then leave residue itself. In most situations, a drain snake is a great tool to unclog plumbing fixtures. However if you don't have one, you could use a hose or plunger to clear a clogged drain.
In most cases, the trench should be at least 4 feet deep. In cold climates the pipe will be buried deeper than in warm climates to prevent freezing in the winter.
How deep is a sewer line in NY? ›Building sewers shall be a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm) below grade. 305.7 Waterproofing of openings. Joints at the roof and around vent pipes, shall be made water tight by the use of lead, copper, galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic or other approved flashings or flashing material.
How deep should lateral and main sewers generally be buried? ›On average, trenches should be around 12-24 inches-deep, and wide enough to house your pipe comfortably before filling it in with soil and sod. As we've mentioned, in cold weather regions, this will need to be deeper or you'll have problems with your sewage freezing.
Is sewage backup covered by homeowners insurance? ›Does homeowners insurance include sewer backup coverage? No, a homeowners insurance policy does not automatically include sewer backup coverage. However, many home insurance companies offer it as an optional coverage, or endorsement, which is an add-on to the standard homeowners insurance policy.
Can I pour bleach down my basement drain? ›Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system.
Can a sewer line be too steep? ›If the slope is not steep enough, the sewage slows down, resulting in clogs. If it's too steep, water and solids can separate, causing solids to accumulate in the pipe.
What size pipe is used for sewer line? ›Depending on your local plumbing codes, the main sewer line for residential homes is usually 4 inches in diameter. You may think if the pipe were larger, more waste could travel without getting clogged. But that's not true.
Is code for sewer line laying? ›To ensure that pipes manufactured in accordance with IS: 458-1971* and IS: 784-1978t are not subjected to loads in excess of those for which they have been designed, this standard Jays down the methods for finding the loads on pipes and their supporting strength and the methods for handling, laying and jointing of ...
Why are New York sewers so big? ›Explosive growth in the early 1800s forced New York to finally confront its sanitation problems. In 1849, after years of haphazard planning and a series of deadly cholera outbreaks, the city started systematically building sewers. Between 1850 and 1855, New York laid 70 miles of sewers.
Are sewers big enough to walk in? ›
Most sewage lines aren't big enough to walk in. The majority of sewage lines, even in big cities, are 2 to 4 ft (60.96 to 121.92 cm) wide. However, older sewage systems, built before the introduction of industrial tubing, may be large enough to walk in.
How do you find a drain pipe under concrete? ›SIMPLE WAY TO FIND A SEWER LINE UNDER CONCRETE SLAB
How do I unclog my main sewer without a cleanout? ›Hot Water to Loosen Sticking Debris
Allow hot water to run through your plumbing system for at least five to 10 minutes. The hot water helps to loosen debris such as deposited grease, oils, or any coatings on the walls of the drains. Doing this several times might best and easiest way to unclog that main sewer line.
Plumbers cost $75 to $550 to unclog a drain, depending on the hourly rates, accessibility, severity, and cause of blockage. Most plumbers offer flat rates on basic drain cleaning, while unclogging severe drains is billed at $45 to $150 per hour plus parts.
What to do if sewage backs up? ›If you see sewage backup coming from any of the drains in your home, call your plumber immediately for emergency sewer services. Keep your family away from affected areas and avoid all contact. Remove any clothing that has come into contact with sewage. Shut off water going to drains throughout your home.