A blocked sewer can quickly become a hellish situation: bad smells, flooding, unusable sanitary facilities, etc. But before taking any action, you need to know who is responsible You (private property) or the local council (public network)?
Visit the right reflexes to find out quickly.
Signs of a blocked sewer
Look for these typical symptoms:
- Water backs up into the WC, shower or sinks
- Sewage odours in the house or garden
- The pipes are gurgling
- Water drains slowly or stagnates
If you notice one or more of these signs, the network is probably blocked.
Talk to your neighbours
Before calling in a professional, ask around.
- Are your neighbours having the same problems? → The problem is probably of the public network.
- Are you the only one concerned? → This indicates a private concernon your own pipe.
Check the manholes
Lift the manhole covers (in your garden or on the pavement) to inspect.
- If the first look at you is full ofthe cap is on your private network.
- If the gaze is emptyBut there's more to it than that: it could be public.
👉 Warning: some manholes placed on the public highway may still be privateespecially in front of detached houses.
The small window in front of your home is usually private.
Blocked private sewer? Call a pro
If this is your network, contact us on 04 67 24 14 13
Our teams intervene 24/7using professional equipment: camera, hydro-scraper, electric ferret, etc.
Blocked public sewer? Call the Town Hall
If you have confirmed that it is a public problem, contact the municipal services of your town or city. Report the problem, giving precise details of the location and symptoms observed. Municipal services are responsible for maintaining public sewers and will dispatch a team to resolve the problem.
Useful numbers :
- Suez Environnement (24-hour emergency) : 0 977 401 139
- Collective sanitation of Sète Agglopôle 04 67 46 24 70 (Monday to Friday)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether the blockage is in my sewer or in the city sewer?
Lift up your nearest manhole. If it's full of water, the stopper is beforeso your home. If it is empty, it is furtherso maybe public.
The manhole is on the pavement, so it's public?
Not necessarily. Even if it's placed on a public thoroughfare, the eye can belong to your home if the pipe is dedicated to you.
Can I unblock a sewer myself?
Yes, but the sewage system requires adapted equipment (camera, high pressure, etc.) and know-how to prevent damage or aggravate the blockage. Here's an article explaining how to unblock a drain itself.
Who pays if the sewer is blocked?
- If it's your home → you pay.
- If it's public → it is paid for by the municipality or the delegated company (Suez, Véolia, etc.).
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