Coping with Sewer Backups

A sewer backup creates a stressful and emotional situation for the homeowner/renter. In some cases it may cause health and safety concerns as well as significant property loss. A proper response to a sewer backup can greatly minimize property damage and diminish the threat of illness.

The East Longmeadow DPW makes every effort to be responsive to a resident’s needs and concerns when a sewer backup occurs. Unfortunately, because a sewer is not a closed system, many things put into the sewer can clog the system. Large amounts of grease from restaurants and disposable (and cloth) diapers are two common items that cause problems. While the DPW has adopted rules prohibiting the discharge of any substance likely to cause a sewer obstruction, and can try to educate the public about the problems they cause, there is really no way we can absolutely prevent this from happening. Other factors can cause backups as well, such as tree roots, which can grow into and obstruct the system.

Many homeowners' insurance policies exclude damage resulting from sewer backups. However, some insurance companies do provide sewer backup coverage. If you are concerned about the possibility of a sewer backup and want to insure that you are covered, the DPW urges you to check with your home insurer regarding the availability of sewer backup insurance.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you experience a sewer problem, please call the Department of Public Works at 413-525-5400 ext. 3 (413-525-5440 after 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays) and state that you are reporting a sewer emergency. Backed up sewer lines, line breaks, sewage odors and overflowing manholes are considered an emergency.

If the problem is in the sewer lateral, the homeowner or business is responsible for correcting the problem. The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining and cleaning the sewer lateral from the building (or home) to the DPW’s sewer main, including the connection on the sewer main. Locating the lateral is also the responsibility of the property owner. Several plumbers in Town have special locating equipment, which will be helpful.

If the problem is in the sewer lateral, whom do you call for help? You will need to call a plumber or a sewer/drain cleaning service. Check your Yellow Pages or Business White Pages. The DPW cannot make a recommendation. It may be in your best interests to obtain several estimates.

REMEMBER TO CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FIRST before calling a plumber. We will check the sewer main and inform you of our findings. If the problem is not in the DPW main you will be advised to contact a plumber or a sewer/drain cleaning service. If we are already onsite, for a minimum charge of $125, we will attempt to clean your lateral.

LATERAL vs. MAIN
What is a sewer lateral? A sewer lateral or house lateral is the pipeline between the Town sanitary sewer main, usually located in the street, and the building. The sewer lateral is owned and maintained by the property owner including any part, which may extend into the street or public right of way.

WAYS TO PREVENT BACKUPS IN YOUR LATERAL AND IN THE TOWN MAIN

The property owner can do many things to prevent the lateral from backing up. Remember too, that the very same things can help to prevent backups in the Town main as well. If everyone would be careful about how they dispose of certain products, our systems would be a great deal more efficient, cause fewer backups, cost us all less money, and prevent a lot of misery.

    Grease: Cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of, after it cools off, in the garbage, not the drain. Some people assume that washing grease down the drain with hot water is satisfactory. This grease goes down the drain, cools off, and solidifies either in the drain, the property owner's line, or in the main sewer. When this happens, the line constricts, and eventually clogs.

    Paper and Sanitary Products: Paper towels, disposable (and cloth) diapers, baby and adult wipes, and feminine products cause a great deal of problems in the property owner's lateral as well as in the Town main. These products do not deteriorate quickly, as does bathroom tissue. They become lodged in portions of the lateral/main, causing a sewer backup. These products should also be disposed of in the garbage.

    Roots: Shrubs and trees, seeking moisture, will make their way into sewer line cracks. These roots can cause extensive damage. They may start out small, getting into a small crack in the pipe; but as the tree or shrub continues to grow, so does the root. After time, this causes your sewer line to break, which in turn allows debris to hang up in the line, thus causing a back up. One way to prevent roots from entering your line is to replace your line and tap with new plastic pipe. The other alternative is to be careful about planting greenery around your sewer line. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your lateral, you may have to have them cut periodically.

    Sewer Odor: Another concern that property owners have is that they can smell sewer odors inside their house or building. There are many ways to prevent this from occurring. Under each drain in your plumbing system, there is a "P-Trap". If there is water in this fitting, odors or gasses from the sewer cannot enter through the drain from either the property owner's lateral or the Town main. “P-Traps” will dry out faster in the wintertime when the humidity is low. Periodically check to make sure that unused floor drains, sinks etc. have water in the "P-trap". Another way to prevent sewer odor is to ensure that the vents, which are located on your roof, are free from bird nests, leaves, etc. When these vents are clear, the sewer odors will escape through these vents.

    Illegal Plumbing Connections: Do not connect French drains, sump pumps and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer. It is illegal, and debris and silt will clog your line. Consult a plumber to correct any illegal connections.

    Needles: Unfortunately, some people dispose of hypodermic needles in the sewer system. The presence of these needles in the wastewater collection system presents special and possible deadly problems for wastewater collection and wastewater treatment employees.

PLEASE DO NOT FLUSH NEEDLES. The proper method of disposal is to re-cap the needle and put it into a "sharps container". (This could be any rigid plastic container such as a bleach bottle.... no milk bottles, please.) When it is full, tape the container securely, and call your local pharmacy for advice on proper disposal methods.

PLEASE DO NOT FLUSH THEM OR THROW THEM IN THE GARBAGE!

    Install a Backwater Prevention Valve: A backwater valve can prevent or greatly reduce the possibility of a sewer backup. A backwater valve is a fixture installed into a sewer line, and sometimes into a drain line, in the basement of your building to prevent sewer backflows. A properly installed and maintained backwater valve works on a one-way system, sewage can go out, but cannot come back in. Property owners are responsible for the installation and maintenance of backwater valves. The cost to install one is dependent upon the type of plumbing in your home and the difficulty of installation. A qualified plumber can assist you in determining your needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is the Town’s responsibility regarding private sewer laterals?

A: The property owner is fully responsible for maintaining adequate sewage flow to and through the sewer lateral, from the property structure to and into the Town’s sewer main. When failure or stoppage of a sewer lateral occurs, Town crews will respond only to check the sewer main to verify that the main is open and sewage is flowing. If the sewer main is found to be clear, it is the responsibility of the property owner to call a licensed plumber or drain cleaning service to correct the problem. Verbal assistance and answers to questions can be received by calling the Department of Public Works at 413-525-5400 ext. 3.

Q: If I notice a foreign substance flowing into a storm drain inlet, whom should I call?

A: If you notice a foreign substance flowing into a storm drain inlet, please call the Department of Public Works at 413-525-5400 ext. 3 to report the location.

Q: What if my sewer backs up?

A: If you experience a sewer backup, call us at 413-525-5400 ext. 3 (413-525-5440 after 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.)
We will dispatch a crew to your address to determine if the stoppage is in the Town main or your sewer lateral. If the Town main is found to be clear, it is the responsibility of the property owner to call a plumber or sewer/drain cleaning service to correct the problem. The property owner is responsible for maintaining adequate flow to and through the sewer lateral from the property structure to and into the Town sewer main. If the blockage is in the Town main we will fix it as quickly as possible and keep you informed about what is being done. If we are already onsite, for a minimum charge of $125.00, we will attempt to clean your lateral.

Q: What about the mess?

A: A sewer backup can lead to disease, destruction of your valuables, damage to your house, and electrical malfunctions. Prompt cleanup of affected property can help minimize the inconvenience and damage.

You should immediately arrange for the cleanup of your property:
     > Take before-and-after photos of the affected areas
     > Itemize any property losses
     > Wet-vacuum or remove spillage
     > Mop the floors and wipe walls with soap and disinfectant
     > Flush out and disinfect plumbing fixtures
     > Steam clean or remove carpet and drapes
     > Repair or remove wallboard or wall covering
     > Clean up appliances or ductwork