Hi can anyone tell me if the City I, live in is responsible for dirty toilet water that comes back up in my basement, my husband has snaked it out and I've had a plumber out who says that the line is clear. I'm hoping it a city problem

Hi Elianita:

Best bet here will be to give the local sewer department a call and ask them if they have been working on the drain lines in the street near your home.

If they have then it is very possible that the drains backed up due to them clearing the lines with a water jetter or could even be that the main line in the street got clogged and backed up and they came and unclogged the drains.

Give them a call and see what they have to say. If this continues to be an issue then you may need to consider installing a backwater valve in your main drain pipe to keep this from being a problem for you.

IF the sewer department is sure that they did no work in your area on days in question then you may want to wait until the pipes clog again, call another plumber and get the drain lines cleared as needed. You may even want to get the drain line videotaped so you can be sure where the problem is... ;)

Let us know if you have more questions...

MARK

Mark suggested installing a sewer check valve, (see image) That's one solution. If it's the floor drains that are backing up , here's another. Install a Flood-Guard ,(see image) check them out at; Flood guards for floor drains - check valve to prevent flooding from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/floodguard.html)
Good luck, Tom