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In the event of a sewer backup,
call 311 immediately,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to report the backup.
Be Careful! A flooded basement caused by a sewer backup poses a risk of electrical shock, and the flood water likely contains bacteria harmful to your health.
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible and report any damage caused by the flooding.
- Be careful when cleaning up your flooded basement. Be mindful of your health and safety.
- Consider getting help with clean up. Look up "Water Damage Restoration" in the Yellow Pages or on the Web.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. I have a sewer backup into my basement. What should I do?
A. Call 311 immediately and explain the problem. Halifax Water will check the sewer main in the street. This service is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q. What if the sewer main is okay?
A. The homeowner should obtain the services of a certified plumber to identify the problem and clear the blockage or obstruction in the building service connection, if necessary. The connection is the pipe running from your house to the sewer in the street (also referred to as a sewer lateral).
Q. What caused the sewer backup?
A. Most often a sewer backup is caused by a plugged wastewater connection. Over time, tree roots, grease and other debris can build up in the connection, eventually causing a blockage. Sometimes the connection has actually collapsed.
Q. The certified plumber has been in and there still seems to be a problem with the connection. What do I do next?
A. The homeowner should obtain the services of a video inspection company which can be found in the Yellow Pages or on the Web under "Sewer Line Inspection". This company will video the connection and will provide a report. The report must include locations, measurements and depths of:
- the connection, from the foundation to the sewer main,
- obstructions, and
- connection defects
The company must also clearly mark these locations in the field.
Q. I have the video and report. Now what do I do?
A. Call 311 and explain that you have a video and report to be picked up. The video and report should be clearly identified with the property owner's name, phone number and address.
Q. What happens next?
A. Halifax Water staff will review the video and report, will identify the problem (e.g., tree roots, structural deficiencies, etc.) and determine whose responsibility it is to fix. We will then contact the homeowner with the results of the assessment.
Q. I have submitted my video and report. When can I expect a response?
A. Our response time should be no more than three business days.
Q. What do I do if the cleaning or repair is my responsibility?
A. Halifax Water recommends obtaining quotes from several contractors, listed under "Sewer Contractors" in the Yellow Pages or on the Web.
Better safe than sorry ... A mess can be avoided
- Do not flush products down the toilet that may cause a blockage. For example, do not flush diapers, sanitary products, dental floss or rags. For proper disposal details visit Pollution Prevention at Home.
- Do not pour grease down the drain. Keep sewers fat-free and prevent a blockage by using a paper towel to wipe excessive amounts of grease from dishes, pots and pans, before washing. You can then dispose of the paper towel and grease in your green bin.
- As a preventative measure, have your wastewater connection cleaned regularly to ensure it is free-flowing.
- Have a certified plumber install a backwater valve, if there is not one already, to help prevent any future sewer backups.
- Homeowners sometimes store valuable items in their basements. If they must be stored in the basement, keep items in waterproof containers and off the floor.
- Check with your homeowner's insurance agent or company to review your coverage. Sewer backup coverage may require an addition to your homeowner's policy.
Guide to Sewer Backups
Where can Property Owners get more Information?
Pollution Prevention at Home
and
After the Flood - A Homeowner's Checklist
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