Duplex plugged septic drain - who's responsible?

Question

We had a plugged septic drain in a brand new duplex (less than a year old), the plug ended up being a bunch of, what appears to be white shop towels, rags or baby wipes?  The plug was in super far so simply flushing the toilet did not back up the septic.  However, when the iron filter flushed through the water at midnight, one side had water all over their basement storage room and soaked into the carpet.  Bills will add up to almost $3,000.  Can we charge the tenant if they fess up to flushing the rags?  What if neither side of the duplex admits to it?  It is a shared septic.  Can we charge each side half?  What does everyone think?

Shaun C. · Answer

Please refer to the list below of the most common things that should NOT be flushed down a toilet.

• Band-Aids – Made out of non-biodegradable plastic. Toss them in the trash.
• Condoms
• Cotton Balls & Q-Tips – They gather together, eventually clogging pipes.
• Food – Compost or trash it. Food can clump together and cause clogs.
• Facial Cleaning Pads – Thicker than toilet paper and thus can cause problems.
• Dental Floss – NOT biodegradable
• Hair – Clogs pipes in no time.
• Dirt – Dump it outside, not in the toilet.
• Dryer Sheets – Made out of synthetic materials, not biodegradable.
• Prescription Medicines – Destroys bacteria and contaminates groundwater. Bring meds back to pharmacies for disposal.
• Grease & Fat – Congeals once it cools down, filling pipes with a solid mass that blocks pipes.
• Pesticides – Destroys the good bacteria used to break down waste at treatment
• Cat Litter
• Tampons and Pads –These items are too thick for toilet pipes.
• Cigarette Butts – Full of toxic chemicals that can pollute waterways.
• Chewing Gum – Can literally gum up the works.
• Nail Polish & Remover – Toxic.
• Dead Pet Goldfish – Not necessarily bad, but can cause problems with clogging or could introduce disease into septic system.
• Cosmetics
• Paper Towels – Do not break down like toilet paper; Too thick for plumbing pipes.

Tenant(s) have inspected and tested all drains, faucets, and sinks to ensure that there are no problems with the plumbing upon taking possession of the unit.

_____________________________  ______________

I have my tenants read and sign the following after being in the same situation but only on the hook for $250. In the end, it's probably impossible to enforce but it's better than nothing, and it at least makes them aware that they shouldn't be flushing things like 'flush able wipes'. If I find the clog before the duplex lines meet up, I know who is responsible and they get the bill.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

Does your tenant have insurance for sewer backups ??

Annie Seymour · Answer

I’m a new tenant in my duplex rental for less than a month and experienced the same back up in my tub. The plumber came out and found what he said was baby wipes in my drain. I do t have babies and it use the wipes; however, the neighbor in the other side has children and use wipes and diapers.  How could this affect my side or maybe a previous tenant left this mess? Hmmm could   the neighbor be opening the drain and stuffing wipes in it?

And now the property management wants to bill me for something I did not do. What are my rights?

Rachel Kenyon · Answer

Thanks, Shaun!

I'm sure they don't, Deanna.

Rachel Kenyon · Answer

Well, it's a private septic and well, so only this duplex is on it.  It's outside of town.  So far, I told the tenant that said his son was flushing baby wipes down that once we get all the bills we will have to discuss how he plans to take care of it (I don't think he realizes how much it's going to be) and he said "sounds good".  So I guess only time will tell!

We spent upwards of $10,000 grand on a tampon stuck in a check valve under a driveway last year that we footed the bill for, same situation.

Chuy Gonzalez · Answer

You are screwed my friend. I just evicted a single mother who's son was flushing tampons down the toilet for fun. i had 3 main line clogs at $700 bucks a pop that I had to pucker up and suck down...the clog happened between my building and the street...so there was no ways of knowing what unit did it...well...on the last time I advised my plumber of the issue, and he was getting suspicious himself, and he found tampons stuck in the toilet and the main line, so the tenant coughed up the last repair on her own...and you better believe it never happened after that.

Rachel Kenyon · Answer

update: one side completely denies having anything like that and the other side said they assume the wipes are from them...

Duplex plugged septic drain - who's responsible?

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