A Florida homeowner said a sewage backup turned his house into a cleanup zone after a contractor allegedly blocked the line leading to the street — and then stopped responding after he asked for proof of the damage and the repair bill.
Here's what to know
George Saucedo said the problem became clear when he found about two inches of dirty water inside the house; it ultimately cost him almost $3,700 out of pocket to make the home livable again.
According to WSVN, Saucedo said the company went quiet after asking for pictures and a copy of the plumber's invoice. He said a plumber's camera inspection had found a "100% obstruction" in the sewer pipe running from his house to the street, and he was told nearby work crews had damaged the line.
Saucedo explained that he had no way around the expense: "I didn't have a choice; we literally couldn't live in the house because we couldn't use any of the restrooms, couldn't turn the water on, no faucets, nothing."
According to WSVN, Help Me Howard attorney Howard Finkelstein weighed in on whether the company is responsible for the repairs: "Yes, they are. Contractors can sometimes claim a pipe was old or already compromised. That's why a camera inspection is key. It shows if the break was caused by negligence or natural wear and tear. In this case, the pictures tell the story. The company working on George's property damaged the sewer line, so they are responsible."
More background
The first sign that something was wrong came from one of the seven rescue dogs Saucedo said he and his family have taken in. The dog started barking, which prompted Saucedo to investigate.
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He said the standing water made it clear right away that this wasn't a normal household leak.
"There's things in the water that you're like 'OK, this is sewer, this is sewer coming up, this isn't coming out of a water pipe.'" Saucedo said.
Before a plumber investigated the cause, Saucedo said he spent about three hours mopping and using a shop vacuum to limit the damage. He also pointed to the front yard, saying, "This whole area right here was all dug up."
While the issue remained unresolved, Saucedo said he was left to handle the cleanup himself, live without working bathrooms or sinks, and pay the repair bill before the dispute was settled.
What can be done?
Saucedo said the situation changed only after the Help Me Howard team called the company and left a message; he said the owner arrived with payment.
He recalled the owner telling him: "I wanted to come over as soon as I found out and give you a check. I apologize for the delay and the damage it caused to you, and I hope that everything is OK now."
Finkelstein also pointed to a practical step for homeowners when utility or contractor crews are working nearby: keep track of who is on the property. He noted that companies may have an easement, meaning they are legally allowed to access land to do certain work, but documenting that presence can matter if damage appears later.
Photos, along with the plumber's camera inspection, helped document both the obstruction and the digging outside.
After finally being reimbursed, Saucedo said, "I think that made all the difference in the world. I was running around chasing my tail for months and then all the sudden get the right people involved and the team and everything, and it gets solved."
Where can I learn more?
These stories touch on many of the same issues: property damage, repair costs, and homeowners struggling to get clear answers.
• In Florida, officials say a contractor left 80 homeowners waiting after taking $1 million.
• In Mount Dora, Florida, residents with working septic tanks faced $20,000 sewer hookup bills anyway.
• In Pennsylvania, a homeowner paid $8,000 before learning the sewer line crossed a neighbor's yard.
• In Pennsylvania, a homeowner paid nearly $3,000 and questioned a three-hour pipe repair.
• A homeowner paid $220 to snake a sink, then got a $491 bill for it.
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