Sewer Line Repair

Seattle Public Utilities says sewer backups happen when sewage and dirty water come up a sink, toilet or drain.

If the drainfield is overloaded with too much liquid, it can flood, causing sewage to flow to the ground surface or create backups in toilets and sinks.

Seattle Public Utilities says sewer backups usually happen when something blocks the sewer pipe and prevents wastewater from flowing freely.

If your home has a septic system, all the water a household sends down its pipes ends up in its septic system.

Seattle Public Utilities says if you own your home or building, you own your side sewer to the public sewer main.

Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers' lives.

If your home has a septic tank, your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which prevents sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area.

In Illinois, homeowners should request an estimate of the cost of work to be done and compare it to estimates from at least two other contractors.

In Illinois, homeowners should find out if complaints have been filed against the contractor by contacting the Attorney General's office, Better Business Bureau and local Chamber of Commerce.

In Texas, even with a reputable business and a sound written contract in place, you should not pay in full until the work is complete and you have inspected it yourself and found it satisfactory.

In Texas, homeowners should make sure everything promised to you is in the written contract.

In Illinois, plumbers are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health and must be licensed by the IDPH to engage in business in Illinois.

If your state or locality has licensing laws, make sure the contractor's license is current.

Once you have narrowed your options, get written estimates from several firms.