Hillsborough County: Who is responsible for sewer line from house to main? (Tampa: houses, plumbing)

[kmarc]

A neighbor is having his lawn dug up and replacing the sewer pipe due to a backup (he's in kind of a low spot and there was some flooding in the street and behind the house during the September rains). I don't know all the details, but I thought the county was responsible for the underground sewer lines. Looks to me like he's having a private company do the work. They said it was a broken pipe due to roots from the tree next door. Anyone know how this is usually handled? I know homeowners are responsible for the water lines from meter to house, county is responsible for water lines from meter to main, but is it the same with sewer lines?

Just wondering if he went along with what the plumbing company is telling him without checking further. Although I can understand wanting to handle a backup immediately. On the other hand, I was reading about some backups in Tampa where the city was responsible (it was still a mess, though). Anyone know the rules for Hillsborough? I was trying to find them online but no luck yet.

[HWTechGuy]

Unless something is drastically different down here, typically the homeowner is responsible for the lateral sewer line from the house to the main in the street.

If the plumber checks and fine the line is clear to the street but the backup is beyond that point, then it would be the responsibility of the municipal utility company.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by HWTechGuy

Unless something is drastically different down here, typically the homeowner is responsible for the lateral sewer line from the house to the main in the street.

If the plumber checks and fine the line is clear to the street but the backup is beyond that point, then it would be the responsibility of the municipal utility company.

Thanks. Like I said, the plumbers say it's due to the sewer pipe being busted by tree roots, but we also had a small backup in one of our bathrooms (the lower one) and I went to Home Depot, described the situation to the specialist and was advised to use Root Kill, which I did, and problem solved! For $14.00 or whatever it was.

These are older homes around here.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by kmarc

Thanks. Like I said, the plumbers say it's due to the sewer pipe being busted by tree roots, but we also had a small backup in one of our bathrooms (the lower one) and I went to Home Depot, described the situation to the specialist and was advised to use Root Kill, which I did, and problem solved! For $14.00 or whatever it was.

These are older homes around here.

I used a root killer product when I had a septic system. Worked well.

I agree the HW - What you own is what is your responsibility. For me its from the edge of the sidewalk on my side to my house. Under the sidewalk and to the main line is the County's.

[kmarc]

I feel bad for the guy, but it just seems to me he doesn't have to go through all that. I know the same thing happened to the former owner of his house and she never got all dug up, although the plumbers came out.

In both cases, though, they blamed the tree next door and demanded it to be taken down. The county came out, denied the permit and said that particular tree had nothing to do with it, but that there were some problems with localized flooding after heavy rain. They're not kidding, either.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

I used a root killer product when I had a septic system. Worked well.

I agree the HW - What you own is what is your responsibility. For me its from the edge of the sidewalk on my side to my house. Under the sidewalk and to the main line is the County's.

Well, it's kind of an oddball situation here, because the water meter is up against the houses in certain areas, which theoretically means the water pipes from the house to the street would be the county's responsibility, or so I'm told. But I wasn't sure how that worked with sewer.

[Spring Hillian]

Depending on the age of the sewer pipe from the house to the main and depending on the material it is made out of, it is sometimes better to replace the line. Once roots make holes in pipes the sewage is going to exit from those holes an cracks once the roots are gone. If the roots are in the line you get slow drains and backups. Older houses have cast iron pipes or clay. Both give out over time. Replacement cuts out headaches down the road.

Originally Posted by kmarc

I feel bad for the guy, but it just seems to me he doesn't have to go through all that. I know the same thing happened to the former owner of his house and she never got all dug up, although the plumbers came out.

In both cases, though, they blamed the tree next door and demanded it to be taken down. The county came out, denied the permit and said that particular tree had nothing to do with it, but that there were some problems with localized flooding after heavy rain. They're not kidding, either.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by kmarc

Well, it's kind of an oddball situation here, because the water meter is up against the houses in certain areas, which theoretically means the water pipes from the house to the street would be the county's responsibility, or so I'm told. But I wasn't sure how that worked with sewer.

Kinda odd that the meters are up against the house. The meter itself is county property and it should be on the easement. Yes, theoretically the municipality is responsible up to and including the meter. That is where their responsibility ends.

[LKJ1988]

You are.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Kinda odd that the meters are up against the house. The meter itself is county property and it should be on the easement. Yes, theoretically the municipality is responsible up to and including the meter. That is where their responsibility ends.

My meter is in the mans yard next door. Talk about strange.