Sanitary Sewer Back-ups

Sanitary Sewer Back-ups - 24 Hour Service
Call during business hours:  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - 412-486-9700  
After Business Hours: Call 9-1-1 


If you have a sanitary sewer backup in your home, please contact Shaler Township prior to contacting a private plumber.  Township personnel will verify that the blockage is not in the main sanitary sewer line serving your home. If you contact a plumber prior to contacting the Township and discover that the blockage is in the Township's main sanitary sewer line, the Township may not be liable for the cost of the private plumber.  The Township responds to sanitary sewer calls 24 hours per day - 7 days per week.

Property Damage from Sanitary Sewer Back-ups

If you've ever experienced property damage caused by a sanitary sewer backup, chances are you found that the damage was not covered by any insurance coverage. All local governments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are afforded sovereign immunity against third party claims for property loss damaged under the Political Subdivision Torts Claim Act. Some exceptions do apply, but generally conditions are very specific for exceptions to be validated.

Insurance Coverage & Loss Protection 

The Tort Claims Act states that "a local agency cannot be held liable for a dangerous condition of a water or sewer system unless it had actual notice or could reasonably be charged with notice under the circumstances at a sufficient time prior to the event to have taken measures to protect against the dangerous condition"

Because most water breaks or sewer system backups are unforeseen events, they generally don't fall under this exception. Therefore, damage to your home or property is not covered by the Township or its' insurance carrier.

Some homeowner insurance policies offer additional insurance to guard against this type of loss. Costs for such coverage is generally minimal. The Township suggests you contact your homeowner insurance agent to review possible coverage for this type of loss.