When something goes wrong with the sewer line from a house that connects to the sewer main in the center of the street (or wherever it’s located), is repairing the sewer line the responsibility of the city or the homeowner?
People don’t often run up against this question because the sewer line is doing its job. Unfortunately, problems like tree root infiltration, corrosion from age, or breaks due to shifts in the ground (like quakes) can damage a sewer line and require repairs or a full replacement. Then the question “who’s responsible?” becomes an urgent one.
Problems with a home’s sewer line are among the worst kind of plumbing fiascoes. A broken sewer line will soon mean sewage backing up into the house, clogged drains everywhere, and sewage flowing up to the surface of the yard or garden.
Do you know much about your main sewer line? You may be aware that it removes waste water from your home, and that it’s buried underneath your property. The line spans several feet and connects to the city’s sewer system.