Pasadena, MD & Nearby Areas 
Sewer line issues like cracks and leaks are among the most serious plumbing problems you can encounter. Not only is repairing or replacing a sewer line expensive, but sewer issues can also prevent you from using your plumbing as normal. When it comes to sewer issues, one of the most common questions homeowners have is whether it is their responsibility or the city’s to fix the problem.
In this article, we’ll explain the different parts of a sewer line, who sewer lines belong to, and what to watch for that can indicate your sewer line is damaged.
Upper vs. Lower Sewer Laterals
The sewer line that connects a home to the municipal sewer system is technically referred to as a sewer lateral. A sewer lateral is divided into two sections based on its location relative to the home’s property line. The upper lateral is the section that runs from the building to the edge of the property line. The lower sewer lateral is the section that starts at the edge of the property line and runs under the sidewalk and street, where it then connects to the municipal sewer main.
Some homeowners believe that only the upper sewer lateral is their responsibility. This seems like a reasonable assumption since only the upper lateral is on private property, but that isn’t the case. Even though the lower lateral is entirely on city property, the homeowner still must maintain this section and repair or replace it if it’s damaged.
When replacing a sewer lateral or performing most sewer repairs, it’s necessary to dig a hole in the street to access the lower lateral. The rules regarding who is responsible or allowed to dig this hole and then repair the street can vary depending on where you live. Some places allow the plumbing company that’s doing the work to dig the hole and then fill it back in, while others state that this must be done by the city. The city is almost always the one that will eventually repair the street once the work is done. However, they will often require the homeowner to cover the cost of repairing that part of the street.
One other essential thing to note is that you can be held liable if an issue with your sewer lateral damages the municipal sewer main. For instance, if your lower lateral collapses where it connects to the main and causes the main to break, the city can require you to cover the full cost of repairing the main. This is one of the many reasons you need to keep your sewer line properly maintained and ensure it’s in good shape.
How to Know if Your Sewer Lateral Needs to Be Repaired?
Minor damage to a sewer lateral can be difficult to spot, but you’ll know quickly if your sewer lateral has a major issue like a break or a collapsed section. That’s because these types of issues will prevent wastewater from your home from draining away, resulting in sewage backing up inside your house whenever you use your plumbing. If your sewer line is broken or collapsed, you’ll also often start smelling a strong sewage odor in your yard.
One good indication that your sewer lateral is damaged and leaking is if a patch of grass or vegetation above the lateral starts growing faster and looking lusher and greener than everything else in your yard. This commonly happens with a leaky sewer lateral due to the water and waste leaking out of the pipe nourishing and fertilizing all of the nearby vegetation.
The fact that repairing or, especially, replacing your sewer lateral can be so costly means it’s something that you want to try and avoid. The best way to help avoid issues is to have a plumbing company perform a camera inspection every year or two to make sure that your sewer lateral remains in good shape.
This inspection involves inserting a camera down through the entire lateral to check for any signs of damage. If the inspection reveals minor damage, you can then usually just get the pipe repaired without having to pay the high expense to replace the upper and lower laterals.
For premier plumbing services in the Pasadena, MD area, look to the experienced team at Priority Plumbing & Drain. We specialize in sewer repairs and replacement as well as sewer camera inspections.
To get help dealing with any sewer issues you’re experiencing or to schedule an inspection, contact us today.
