Fixing a pitch problem in the sewer line .
Water/sewage keeps backing-up into our basement. This is a recently purchased gut-renovated home. After all the severe rains, major backups into the basement pit/trap keep happening, pooling feces and other nastiness into our basement. Called in various sewer and plumbing specialists to diagnose the problem. One suggested installing a back-flow prevention device. Another advised snaking the line and running a camera. We opted to snake the line and run the camera. It revealed a pitch issue from the trap to the city sewer line. The pitch is slightly upwards for a few feet leaving the basement trap, but then flows nicely to the city line. We think the backups are occurring due to the pitch issue. The line runs directly under our staircase. If this needs addressed, does anyone have experience using American Water Resources insurance, through the DEP? Clearly this is going to be VERY expensive to fix. Something that was hidden from us when purchasing.
whalien
in General Discussion 6 years and 11 months ago
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10 replies
MDR | 6 years and 11 months ago
Probably the toilet and floor drain are not high enough above the waste pipe leading to the street for there to be proper drainage. Instead of connecting them directly, use an ejector pump, so they connect to the waste line at a higher point. As long as the pipes are clear of obstructions this should solve the problem.
resident2 | 6 years and 11 months ago
Look up on the DOB records who the plumber was on the rehab. The chances are it was a license covering for a non licensed plumber. But call them and get them to come & take a look at their lousy job, see what they have to say. It was their license, they signed it off, they are responsible.
If they refuse to take any responsibility or help you correct it, report them to the Plumbing division of DOB.
whalien | 6 years and 11 months ago
@no-permitz, very much appreciate this insight. I dug in a bit deeper into AMR’s terms and conditions and you are absolutely correct. Our situation won’t fly. I searched out Balkan and I love their instructional videos. Reached out to them. Hoping for an honest, educated answer.
yudashasom | 6 years and 11 months ago
It’s well documented on this forum that AWR does not pay out often.
It sounds like in your situation AWR has a number of “outs.” The two most obvious are (1) there was recent work done in the building (2) This isn’t Obama Care – they don’t cover pre-existing conditions. You won’t be able to fool them by waiting for a few weeks or months either.
Check your homeowners insurance policy or call your broker. There may be a way to get paid there but its not very likely.
whalien | 6 years and 11 months ago
@no-permitz, why no to AMR for the insurance?
whalien | 6 years and 11 months ago
@no-permitz, i know i know…..i should have listened. we aren’t entirely kicking ourselves for purchasing it, but definitely sensing some buyers remorse. vigilante came and estimated the venting was improper and suggested a back-flow prevention devise. 718-Sewer and Drain were amazing. They snaked and removed a huge piece of debris in the mainline out to the sewer and then ran a camera to check the work. We thought for sure this was the problem. As stated early, we did notice some standing water in the first three feet out from the trap, which is most likely the pitch problem. After they cleared the drain, we thought all was good until we ran a load of washing and it backed up again. Water came out of every drain/trap in the basement, including the toilet which wasn’t properly sealed and leaked out from its base.
We still don’t have a clear answer if the pitch is actually the problem. It’s an assumption. Mike from 718 is coming back to take the toilet off and run a camera in the mainline of the house. We had hoped to run the camera into the house from the tr ap, but they developer closed off part of the trap. Only way in is through the toilet. Hopefully that reveals another blockage and this is the problem. To be honest, I don’t think that’s the issue. I think it’s the fact that water can’t run freely out of the house is one fell swoop out to the mainline. I believe the sewage we have been seeing is our own…not the city.
Guest User | 6 years and 11 months ago
has it backed up again since you snaked the line? i’m not a plumber but it seems to me that a pitch problem would manifest itself in somewhat constant backups of your own waste water coming back up into the trap, not major backups after severe rain. I think you should contact DEP as they may have a clog in the main that is forcing sewage back into pipes where it shouldn’t go. i think you should talk to your neighbors to see if anyone else has gone through this on your block, and get pricing from a couple people for backflow prevention devices.
Guest User | 6 years and 11 months ago
has it backed up again since you snaked the line? i’m not a plumber but it seems to me that a pitch problem would manifest itself in somewhat constant backups of your own waste water coming back up into the trap, not major backups after severe rain. I think you should contact DEP as they may have a clog in the main that is forcing sewage back into pipes where it shouldn’t go. i think you should talk to your neighbors to see if anyone else has gone through this on your block, and get pricing from a couple people for backflow prevention devices.
2345bcde | 6 years and 11 months ago
The pipe has a pitch issue so extreme raw sewage is coming back in from the street? It sounds like the sewer line in the street is backing up. Are your neighbors having any issues? The plumber may be seeing dollar bills at the end of that scope?
yudashasom | 6 years and 11 months ago
Don’t say we didn’t warn you about this place.
AWR won’t pay for this – don’t waste your time, money or energy.
Replacing the entire sewer will run you $13k minimum. If you have a tree, the sewer contractor will need to have an arborist on site and secure a parks permit which will run you about $750 extra per day.
You might be able to put a bandaid on it by replacing the section under the “stairs” (stoop?), but I wouldn’t waste my money if its clay. I would replace the whole sewer from the trap to the city sewer.
I recommend Balkan or Harris. No one will be cheaper or as good as Balkan.