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    johnlafevers's Avatar
    johnlafevers Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Feb 4, 2009, 03:33 PM
    Under slab sewer line has a belly
    I had sewer water backup into a shower. Had a plumber out to snake the line. This did not clear up the issue of standing water in the sewer line. He ran a video camera down pipe and found that two different sections had standing water. He tells me this is not normal and the solutions is to use a digital camera with a locator head to map the "bellied" sewer pipe. Then cut through the slab to replace the pipe.

    The house is a slab on the ground type with a septic system. All plumbing is under the slab. The pipes are pvc. Is this really the only solution? The plumber says improper ground prep is the most likely cause of the "bellies"
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #2

    Feb 4, 2009, 04:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    improper ground prep is the most likely cause of the "bellies"
    He is right. If there was standing water in one short area then it could be a slight trap for sewer gass which is VERY uncommon. But since it is a couple then its bad slope for proper drainage.

    Bad settling can easily cause this problem in a low slope sewer line.

    Since the plumber has the equipment that is a good sign he has the expertise and has been there before. The equipment its not cheap.

    Signed 21 Boat

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    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    Feb 4, 2009, 05:26 PM

    Yep, the only way to fix this is to cut or break concrete and replace sagging pipe. It may be that pipes were not sloped properly in the first place, and you may have problem achieving proper slope without cutting a lot of concrete. Please let us know what the final outcome is.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    Feb 4, 2009, 11:52 PM

    Yes. Pipes most likely were not supported and weight of freshly poured concrete pushed pipes down. Your plumbers is giving you good advice.

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