The Connection between your Property and the City Sewer System

For many people, the exact point where the sewer line on their property becomes part of the New York municipal or county sewer system is an area of nebulous misunderstanding. Read below to better understand this area:

Q: What is a "sewer lateral?"
A: A sewer lateral is the portion of the sanitary sewer line which connects a house’s or business plumbing to the city sewer system (called the sewer main). Sewer laterals are usually on your private property, while the sewer main, is usually all in the public right away (typically where the sidewalk is).

Q: What happens when sewer laterals age?
A: Old Sewer laterals in poor condition can result in leaks of raw sewage into the ground which may be a public health issue, smells bad and can result in sewer backups into your home.

Q: What are the problems associated with the sewer laterals?
A: Old homes often have never replaced their lateral lines. These laterals often become cracked or displaced or have root intrusion. Sometimes the pipes are so old they don't have good access for cleanout of blockages.

Q: What is the responsibility of the property owner?
A: The property owner, whether a commercial or a private homeowner, is responsible for maintaining any sewer lines that are on his/her property. That means that you are responsible for maintenance up the main in most cities.

Q: When is it time to replace my sewer lines?
A: It is a difficult dicision to know when the right time to replace your sewer line is. If you experience regular backups, despite cleanouts and maintenance it may be time. You should have a Westchester County video-camera sewer inspection done to determine the extent of the sewer line damage prior to have the line replaced.

Q: What does a sewer video-camera do for me?
A: Your New York State Sewer Contractor can help you to find the extent and location of your sewer problems with a sewer inspection Video Camera White plains. If your Westchester County Sewer Contractor determines from the video that you do need your lateral replaced, the video camera will help determine sewer depth, location, grade and possible the relationship to adjacent utilities.

Q: Should I do trenchless sewer replacement or traditional trenching?
A: If you have a landscape and or hardscape that you would like to preserve and you are concerned about the timeline you should consider trenchless sewer replacement Larchmont. If these are not issues, perhaps you will want to consider using cast iron pipe which is a good alternative.

Emergency Measures You can Take for a Sewage Backup

A friend of mine lives on the bottom floor of a condo complex and, much to her ire, she is frequently saddled with the mess of having to clean sewage out of her bathtubs. The aging sewer system in her building means that sewage backups are becomming all too frequent for bottom (floor) dwellers while upstairs dwellers continue to flush their toilets with oblivious abandon.

Perhaps a surge of waste water is blocked so sewage may back up into the home fixtures (bathtubs, toilets, sinks), usually at the lowest plumbing fixture. Sometimes it's not the wastewater surge but someone flushing something down a toilet that blocks a drain - that's a problem that can be cleared by a New York plumber using a plumbing snake or drain router.

If the toilet is about to overflow here is what you do to prevent sewage from running over the toilet bowl and onto the floor:

1) Take off the toilet tank lid

2) Reach inside the toilet and push down the flapper valve that is letting the tank empty water into the toilet bowl - this will stop water from entering the toilet and if you're quick enough, prevent sewage from overflowing onto the floor. This will be a rubber valve in the center of the bottom of the toilet tank.

3) If the water level in the toilet bowl is dropping slowly, hold the toilet tank float up in its highest position so that water stops flowing into the tank and into the toilet bowl.
If the water level in the toilet bowl slowly drops down to a normal level, you'll be able to release the toilet tank float and let the tank and toilet bowl refill without danger of overflowing onto the floor.

4)If the water level in the toilet tank is not dropping continue to hold up the toilet tank float while you close the toilet shut-off valve near the floor or in the wall behind the toilet. (Here is my caveat - make sure that you replace the shut off valve if it is old - I once had my shut-off valve break off in my hand, letting water spray everywhere while I pannicked in the midst of a flood. This would not have happened if I had had a competant Westchester County Sewer Contractor replace the shut-off valves. If you missed this important step - don't force the handle of the shut-off valve for fear of breaking it and compounding your problems.)

Hopefully you have read this before the problem began because it is impossible to browse the internet whilst holding a shut off valve in one hand and a flapper in the other. In any case, you'll probably want to call a New York Plumber or Westchester County Sewer Line Contractor if the problems are greater than a blocked fixture. In the mean time:

* Stop using all toilets and fixtures: stop running water in sinks and showers etc. while you investigate.

* When checking upper floor fixtures ask someone to look at the lower floor toilets and drains - otherwise you may think that upstairs drains are working when in fact they're simply backing up out of the lower floor toilets.

* If all of the toilets or drains are backing up or slow, you may have a Westchester County Blocked drain or a flooded failing septic field. If so you will have to stop using toilets and sinks indoors. It's possible that after letting the drainfield rest for an hour or so you may be able to return to modest use of toilets. Meanwhile do not run any water into any drains if you can avoid it.

* If your home is connected to a private septic tank, look outside at the septic fields: do you see evidence of septic effluent at the surface? If so, no amount of plunging will correct the problem.

* If your home is connected to a municipal sewer, you may have a blocked main drain.

* If your home uses a sewage ejector pump or septic pump, check that the pump has electrical power, is turned on, and is working.

Preventing Health Problems from a New York Sewer Backup

A sewer backup is a real health problem stemming from harmful bacteria carried in the sewage. It is not an uncommon problem in certain areas and we should all be prepared for the possibility of a sewage backup. It is particularly common in condominiums and apartments with outdated sewer systems where the residents on the bottom floor get the resulting sewage backup of the upper floors. This is a serious concern that effects many people, particularly those who may be home-bound or have existing serious health problems. Here are some ways to mediate potential health hazards if your sewer system White Plains backs up.

1)Turn off all power to eliminate electrical hazards. 2) Keep children and pets away from the area. 3) Thoroughly clean the contaminated area. Use rubber gloves and disinfectants. 4)Discard saturated wall-to-wall carpet and pad; clean all hard surfaces with hot water and soap, then rinse with a bleach solution of one tablespoon of household bleach to one gallon of water. 5) Finally, call your local Westchester County plumber or sewer repair specialists ASAP!