Hi, my landlord told me that she has the water line running on one line. Im not sure what that means, but I constantly have clogged drains in my kitchen and the sink in the basement gets clogged when I wash clothes (sometimes with sewerage). Also my water bill is pretty high. Could this all be contributed to her running everything on one line?

Thanks!

she has the water line running on one line.
Have no idea what that means.

Is this a single family dwelling?

Yes, single family. I don't know what that means either. She told me that I wasn't allowed to hook up my washing machine because everything is running on one line.

That makes no sense. All house have only only one water line. All houses have only one sewer line. That is baring some really weird set up.


Is she speaking of the water line that brings water to the house or the sewer line taking waste water away?

I'm sorry, I don't know. All I know is if I use my washing machine, my kitchen sink gets backed up, gurgles and have a weird odor. Sometimes the basement sink will back up with sewerage and she ends up paying a plumber to come out, because every time we flush the toilet whatever is in the toilet ends up in the basement sink. The plumber pulls a lot of feces, cloths, condoms and tissue out of the drain out front. She tried to blame me, but I don't put anything but 1 ply tissue in the toilet. So I thought it maybe came from the neighbors or has been in the drain for a while. This happened 3 time in 1 year (her having a plumber come out and he pulls out exactly the same things) which I do not use. So I have no clue. I'm just worried that my bill is high because of it. And Ive only been living on the property for a year.

So you have a sewer problem, specifically a blocked sewer line.

A blocked sewer does not affect your water bill. Your water bill is based on the amount of water you use. If you think your water bill is excessive, find out where your water meter is. It is probably under ground. Make sure that no water is being used in the house. Look at the water meter if the little needle is turning, you have a leak in the water line between the meter and the house.

The use of a clothes washer does not contribute to a blocked sewer line.

If the plumber is pulling out things you didn't put in (the toilet) there is something drastically wrong. Your neighbor can't stop up your sewer line unless some did something really wrong in laying out the sewer line.

You have your sewer line to the street and your neighbor has his. You can't stop up his and he can't stop up yours. Now if someone did something illegal, like tying the two together before they reach the street, then one could stop up the line for both.

How close are the houses? Next time you have a blockage, see if the neighbor is also stopped up.

Thank you so much for this information. The homes are typical row homes, no space in between.
I just find it weird that my kitchen sink clogs up when I do wash clothes. And I guess I should ask her what she meant by having the water on one line.

I will try checking the water meter when I get home. Its in my basement. I'm sure there has to be a leak.

Thanks again for this information and your advice. I really appreciate you taking the time.

If your water meter is in the basement it doesn't matter (to you) if there is a leak underground. You only pay for the water that comes through the meter. If no water is being used and the meter is turning that most likely means that you have a leaking toilet.


what she meant by having the water on one line.

Yes, do that. A statement like that makes me wonder if there isn't something not done correctly and she knows it.

Does she own the house next door?

No, she doesn't own the house next door. The house next door doesn't have a cover over the drain outside and I noticed a lot of leaves and debris covering it. I don't know if that means anything.

I'm not sure what's going on, but I will start by talking to her again and have her explain what she meant.