I had a sewer guy out to clean my floor drain. He said he couldn't do it because he hit clay and told me that the trap had rotted out and needed to be replaced. This will involve busting up concrete and moving a "assembled" shower off a cement base in order to get to the pipes. Someone please tell me what does it mean that the guy hit clay? Does that mean there is something wrong with the pipe?? I am very anxious for answers. Someone help fast.thanks. HelenAg

It means that the trap is rusted away and his snake went through it into the ground.

Thanks for your answer. I talked to the plumber this morning and he mentions that maybe the pipe is made of clay and has collapsed. I know my main line is clay and is going to have to be replaced very soon. What are the chances this guy reamed out my floor drain into the main and knocked a tile? Is that a possibility? Or is it just as you say, the trap gone bad?? I hate the notion of breaking up the floor or worse yet having to dig up the yard. Am I jumping to conclusions? HelenAg

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What are the chances this guy reamed out my floor drain into the main and knocked a tile? Is that a possibility?

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Any way you look at it the floor's going to hafta come up. I'm with Harold, I think the plumber broke through the trap or your cast iron floor drain. I don't believe his snake tore up yout main as all the driving force of the snake was at the bell of the trap and not the sewer main. Good luck, Tom

Speedball1: Thanks. I've read many of your helpful posts to others. From what you wrote, am I to assume the possibility of a hole in the floor drain? The drain has hardly ever given us trouble by itself (when the main is bad, it will back up.) The washer and a/c drain through it as well as a stall shower. Which, by the way, has be taken down in order to reach the drain. I guess I just want to be prepared for the worst. If the guy hit clay, it means he hit the ground. Was it through the pipe? Was it through the trap? Is this something they won't know till they jackhammer up the floor. HelenAg (sorry so many questions)

I didn't use a jack hammer. Afraid of cracking more concrete. Used a Hilti vibrating drill with 3/4 bit and made a tight perimeter for access. Then used a sledge hammer with a brother n law and broke it up.
Just a thought. Might rend one. It's a bull job. Be ready.