Sewer Back-Up

[floating]

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Maryland

I went to settlement on a brand new house in December 2005. On June 25, 2010, sewage backed up in my basement shower and spread out into the powder room and part of the living space of my basement. I called a plumber. He came, snaked the drain and gathered what appeared to be a paper towel and a few strands of dental floss.

The plumber didn’t think that one paper towel and a few strands of dental floss was enough junk to cause sewage to back up into our house, so he ran a camera down the drain. He discovered a large pool of standing water in the sewer line which led him to believe there is a belly in the line and that there are too many turns in the line for its short run to the city line. We had a company to come in and clean up the sewage, but I feel like I am sitting on a time bomb. I did not expect this kind of problem in a brand new house. Apparently, the people who put in the plumbing system did not put it in correctly. What actions would you recommend?

[SChinFChin]

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Maryland

I went to settlement on a brand new house in December 2005. On June 25, 2010, sewage backed up in my basement shower and spread out into the powder room and part of the living space of my basement. I called a plumber. He came, snaked the drain and gathered what appeared to be a paper towel and a few strands of dental floss.

The plumber didn’t think that one paper towel and a few strands of dental floss was enough junk to cause sewage to back up into our house, so he ran a camera down the drain. He discovered a large pool of standing water in the sewer line which led him to believe there is a belly in the line and that there are too many turns in the line for its short run to the city line. We had a company to come in and clean up the sewage, but I feel like I am sitting on a time bomb. I did not expect this kind of problem in a brand new house. Apparently, the people who put in the plumbing system did not put it in correctly. What actions would you recommend?

The only way to present credible evidence here, is for you to hire a PE (professional engineer), produce a report, based on the analysis of filed plans if any. That someone may have to know something about local codes. If you file a complaint, believing you are sitting on a time bomb, the word of a plumber may not carry the day.

I went through a situation selling a property, the buyer claimed my fire escapes were not to up code. He hired himself an architect to say so, but his architect said if I can find the building plans with the "fire escapes" signed off by the fire department, I'm off the hook. I found the plans in the city archives after a few trips, from 1941, with the fire department signoff.

So, you may face a situation where the plans were all approved and signed off on, which may not help your case. Then, it may not.

[abj579]

You mention this is a new home in 2005. Your home should be covered under the builder's 10 year New Home Warranty. Like the other poster mentioned, you should get that plumber's report on his findings and you may wish to retain a professional plumbing engineer to produce a report on any discoveries they may find. Then you can first attempt to have the builder rectify that problem at their own expense. With that being said, before you approach the builder, you should retain a lawyer that specializes in construction cases.