Our sewer line got plugged and all the - well, you know has been spewing out from some sort of secondary off-gassing pipe, all over the back area of the house. It’s not actually backyard. It’s paved over with black top. But still, the area is pretty gross. And I used to sunbathe back there! I hosed it all down towards a rain sewer drain, but I’m wondering how “dirty” the area is now. Once the area dries out, will most of the nasty bugs be killed, or should I spray bleach or something over the area?
Well, it probably wouldn’t hurt to take a broom and a bucket of disinfectant solution and give it a once over. Not sure you’ll get any factual answers to this one…
sewer lines are run by the city. Demand they decomtaminate the area in question, as it’s a public health issue
"sewer lines are run by the city. Demand they decomtaminate the area in question, as it’s a public health issue"
From the OP, it sounds like the problem may have been a blockage in the lateral (small sanitary sewer line that connects the house to the sewer at the street). This would not be the city’s responsibility, at least in my city.
You should report the Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) to the proper authorities, though, and make sure the blockage is corrected. Sewage from the overflow(s) ends up in your local creek/river/ocean which is also a public health “issue”.
If the area has been hosed off and dried, I would not worry about any health risks from using the area as a paved backyard.
Yes, it’s the line that connects us to the city sewer line. The plumber guy thinks it was some tree roots way at the end of the line. The pipe itself hadn’t been cleared out in 40 years.
Thanks for the info!
I swear I should send myself to the Pit where I can flame myself for responding before double reading OP’s.
Anyway, given this development, your homeowner’s insurance will cover it if it’s a health code problem. Good luck with this shit storm.
Man, after 30 years I can use that phrase and it’s actually literal