Since buying our house (built in 1967), we have had some minor back up issues... kitchen sink mostly, which was cleared by calling a plumber to snake it. Recently, we had a huge back up in the master bathroom. Sinks, shower and toilet all backed up. Plumber came and said we need to consider replacing the sewage pipes both under the house and the one out to the street. He said he would come back and use a camera and see if the blockage is happening under the house, and if not, we should replace the main sewage pipe. Any comments? I just want to make sure we aren't being taken for a ride.

If your plumber suggested replacing all the pipes just by running a snake and not looking with camera, I may suggest changing your plumber first.

What are the pipes made of, what is the condition. All homes will have a few back up issues, if they did not all of those "rotor" companies would be out of business.

I have not had one of the "rotor" companies come to my home without suggesting 1000's of extra charges, my guess they get commisison for upgrade sales.

This is like saying you had your car not start twice so you should go buy a new car, without finding out the issues with the old one

Plumber came and said we need to consider replacing the sewage pipes both under the house and the one out to the street. I just want to make sure we aren't being taken for a ride. And he said this without first running a Sewer Cam through the pipes to back this up. Good trick! Wish I had eyes that could see hidden and underground pipes. This may simply be a run of the mill clog that could be fixed by snaking the line instead of putting out thousands for new drainage pipes. I think I would call in another plumber for a second opinion. It bothers me when someone attempts to sell me a expensive replacment without first trying to fix what I called him for. Ask lots of questions and get a second opinion before you make your decision. Good luck, Tom

Plumbing advice:

"Never put anything down a toilet you haven't eaten first."

Solves a lot of blocked sewer problems.