Jasmine Harris had been complaining about a sewage issue for months.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Jasmine Harris, a first-time homeowner in Greensboro, North Carolina, experienced what should have been a dream come true when she purchased her home off East Cone Boulevard.
However, her excitement quickly turned to frustration as a series of plumbing issues left her battling sewage backups and damages, ultimately leading to a settlement from the city.
“I’m very excited to be a first-time buyer,” Harris said. “It’s a dream fulfilled, but what followed was a nightmare.”
The trouble started soon after Harris moved in when she noticed the toilets bubbling. Initially, a plumber was called, and city crews responded, clearing the issue. “They came to the house and said the line was open, and there was toilet paper coming out,” Harris recalled.
Unfortunately, the relief was short-lived. A few days later, Harris noticed more water pouring from the toilet bowls, sinks, and bathtubs, filling with dirty water. Despite reaching out to a plumber once again, she was told the issue was on the city’s side. “Everything was clear on our side,” Harris said, “but it’s the city side that was backed up.”
After about two months, sewage water started to back up again, prompting a city crew to visit the property again. This time, they admitted to a significant mistake: a metal cap had been dropped into the line during a previous visit. “They came and said, ‘Wow, we know we dropped a cap inside the line. We’re surprised no one came to fix it,’” Harris explained.
Although the major blockage was cleared, the cap remained stuck in the line. Harris figured it would undoubtedly be removed this time.
Then, two months later, the situation worsened. Sewage flooded Harris’s floors and furniture, causing extensive damage.
“The floors had to be removed—baseboards, cabinets, showers, vanities—everything,” Harris said, visibly upset. In response to the flooding, she filed a claim with her insurance company and the city, while also reaching out to News 2 to showcase the damage.
In one of her photos, she pointed out the mold growth on the walls, a clear sign of the lasting impact of the sewage backups. “If we were to remove this, you’d see all the mold,” she said.
The city, in an email to News 2, acknowledged its fault in the matter. While it began the reimbursement process, Harris called it slow and cumbersome. She had to file with her insurance company at first and then be reimbursed.
Harris was given a partial reimbursement in May 2024, but many of her personal property damages were not covered. “They didn’t want to replace the contents of my stuff,” Harris said.
After continued communication with the city, a settlement was finally reached. The final payout totaled approximately $43,000.
“Eventually, with your help, I got my contents paid for,” Harris said, grateful for the support she received.
The city issued a statement acknowledging its responsibility for the issue and explaining its procedures for reimbursement. “When we get a complaint of this nature, we take a look to determine the cause. If we are at fault, we fix the issue that is on public property,” the city said in their statement. “However, we are committed to taking care of any damage, so our contracted adjuster gets estimates from the homeowner and assesses them. We are pleased that Mrs. Harris got the repairs she deserves.”
Harris, now able to move forward, is still haunted by the memory of the disaster. Despite the financial compensation, the experience has left its mark, a reminder of the unexpected challenges she faced in her new home.
