Last week, a watermain in Hamilton’s east end burst, flooding streets and pushing water into several basements. The pipe, originally installed in the late 1800s, is a reminder of how old the infrastructure beneath this city really is. But while the city is responsible for repairing the watermain itself, many Hamilton homeowners do not realize that what happens underground on your side of the property line is entirely your responsibility.
Here is what you need to know.
How a Watermain Break Affects Your Private Sewer Line
Watermains and sewer lines serve different functions, but they share the same underground environment. When a watermain breaks, the volume of water released can erode and shift the soil surrounding nearby sewer pipes. Older clay and cast iron pipes, which are common in Hamilton neighbourhoods built between the 1920s and 1960s, are particularly vulnerable when the ground around them moves.
As Rob Birnie of Birnie Plumbing and Drains explained following the break, soil erosion can leave older pipes exposed, cracked, or misaligned in the months after a major event, even if nothing obvious shows up right away.
Which Hamilton Neighbourhoods Are Most at Risk
If you live in Crown Point, Gibson, St. Clair, the North End, or any neighbourhood where homes were built before 1970, your sewer lateral is likely made of clay or cast iron. These materials served their purpose for decades, but many are now approaching or past the end of their expected lifespan.
Warning Signs to Watch For
You do not need to wait for a backup to take action. Watch for these early warning signs that your sewer line may have been affected:
Slow draining sinks or tubs that were previously fine. Gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or floor drain. Multiple drains in the house slowing down at the same time. A faint sewage smell in the basement. The basement floor drain bubbling when you run water elsewhere in the house.
If you notice any of these, do not wait. A sewer camera inspection can identify damage before it becomes a full failure.
What Homeowners Should Do Now
The City of Hamilton is clear that homeowners are responsible for the sewer lateral connecting their home to the municipal system. If that line fails, the repair cost falls to you. A sewer camera inspection is a small investment compared to emergency excavation and repair.
Birnie Plumbing and Drains has been inspecting and repairing Hamilton sewer lines since 1922. If your home is in an area affected by the recent watermain break, or if your pipes are simply old, now is the time to get ahead of it.
Call us at (905) 578-4659 or visit birnie.pro to book your sewer camera inspection.
