A South Florida homeowner says he will be repaid for nearly $3,700 in sewer repairs after a company working in his neighborhood damaged the line running from his home to the street. The company’s owner delivered a check the day after 7News Help Me Howard reporter Brandon Beyer contacted the business.
George Saucedo said he woke late one night a few months ago to his dog barking and found about two inches of dirty water on the first floor. He said the water contained sewage. He shut off the water, mopped and vacuumed for hours, then hired a plumber.
A camera inspection showed a 100% obstruction in the front yard, in the sewer pipe that runs out to the street, the plumber told him. Saucedo said the area had recently been dug up. He paid for the repairs himself and said his family could not use the restrooms or faucets while the work was done.
Saucedo said he asked the company for photos and a copy of the plumber’s invoice, but he said he heard nothing more after that. Help Me Howard consumer expert Howard Finkelstein said the camera inspection showed the company was responsible for the damage. Beyer said the company was contacted and left a message.
Saucedo said the repayment resolved the problem. Finkelstein also advised residents that utility or contractor crews have the right to enter a property for repairs, called an easement, and that homeowners should write down who is on the property and when.
