Hi,

Here's the situation. I recently purchased a home and had not even been there for 2 weeks before I had a flood (via the utility sink) in the finished basement. Apparently the previous owners cemented over the basement drain. I have coverage through our local water company, they sent a roto rooter person to clear the drain. About a week later, it backed up again but did not flood. The same guy came and cleared the pipe again but stated that there was mud in the pipe. I then went ahead at my expense and had the pipe televised and this is their report.

"Televised line from vent to street, found heavy tree roots in line. There is about a 10' belly in pipe and at 36' the line is just about closed off with heavy tree roots. Line is partially blocked"

I have then contacted the water company who said they do not cover bellies but will jet the line. My question is, is this a temporary solution? I would like a permanent solution to this problem as I do not want to redo the basement to have it flood again. I am at my wits end with the water company. I am ready to call in Action News or the BBB.

Please help me...... Thanks.

450donn

Bellies? Never heard of that one? As far as tree roots, there seems to be two thoughts on this subject. Hire a contractor to go though the sewer pipe with a rotary knife which will remove the roots for a while. OR, hire a contractor to dig up and replace the sewer line from the street to the house with new plastic pipes and get rid of the offending trees.

ballengerb1

One way or another you are going to need to replace that drain line all the way to the city riser. The belly or settled area will collect heavier deposits and the tree roots will continue to grow back. RootX or copper sulphate from the garden center every 6 months will keep the roots at bay but it won't help your belly. I am sure the guy with the drain camera will give you an estimate but I'd get 3 estimates from licensed and insured plumbing contractors.

doug238

in the orlando area a sewer estimate is about 20 bucks a foot. in the atlanta area it is about 35 bucks a foot, both charging more if over 7 feet
the belly is a part in the pipe that has dropped due to the ditch not being tamped at a grade or installed during a rainy day. it will do what ballenger said. the roots show a broken pipe. the choices are simple, either dig up the offending belly and remedy and repair the section where the pipe is allowing roots to enter or have the whole sewer replaced. use 4" pvc schedule 40, thinner sewer pipe is legal though.