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dababe · May 12, 2009, 10:53 AM

I just moved into a house in Sep. We bought it land contract and didn't have anything inspected. I know I was wrong for that. Well now I'm in the house. The first time I took a bath, the water didn't go down it backed up in the sinks in the bathroom and kitchen. We had a guy that was staying across the street, laid off plumber, well he took all the pipes above the basement floor and replaced them. Helped the water to go down. Water started coming up from the drain in the floor of the basement. I called and had it cleaned out. He said he couldn't say it wouldn't happen again the pipe was cracked or something blocking it. Well I can't aford to fix the pipes yet, saving up. But I don't know what to do about the water in the basement. Should I get a sump pump and will it work with the pipe blocked?

ballengerb1 · May 12, 2009, 10:58 AM

A sump pump is not designed to move sewage. Your broken pipe needs replacing or relining, no way around that and it gets more expensive from here on out. Get 3 bids from licensed plumbers or sewer contractors.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the help

ballengerb1 · May 12, 2009, 11:02 AM

You could hire a plumber with a sewer camera like a SeeSnake, they can locate blockages within a foot and also see if a pipe is really broken or just clogged with tree roots or the like.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:05 AM

I hired a real plumber and they told me to get someone with a camera. Do you know how much it should cost to fix. I have water in the basement how can I get it out of the basement

ballengerb1 · May 12, 2009, 11:09 AM

I have no clue about $$$ since we don't know where the clog is and if it is really a broken pipe. For now stop using all toilets and tubs because this too will back up into your basement.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:12 AM

The plumber that rimed the pipes said it's about 50 feet out, we thank that's under the street how do I fix that, is it my cost to break the street and fix it

ballengerb1 · May 12, 2009, 11:14 AM

You would need to talk to your city sewer department but in most cases you own and are responsible for everything outisde of the city main including the street.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:17 AM

You know that laid off plumber that started all this kind of, he was banging with a hammer and screwdriver he thought a ball was stuck in the drain hole do you think he messed something up thanks again for the help

KISS · May 12, 2009, 11:19 AM

If it's under the street then it's not your problem. Call the county.

Jurisdiction is somewhat murky with sewer, but if there is an exterior cleanout, then from there on it's yours.

If it's sewage contaminated water it may have to be treated as such, so you cannot simply pump it into a storm drain.

Again, contact the county. You may have to hire a sewage hauler to pump it out and then have the basement decontaminated.

KISS · May 12, 2009, 11:22 AM

Replacing outdoor sewage piping around here must be done my a licensed plumber. One guy got an estimate of about $5000.

Excavating could be done by the homeowner, but actual connections must be done by a plumber and no inspections are necessary.

Prior to excavating, utility lines must be marked.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:23 AM

So I should call the county. I called the city and they had a truck come and see if the hole going to the main sewer is clogged and they said it wasn't. Do you know how much it will cost to get the water removed

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:28 AM

I don't have $5000 do you think they will take payments or something

KISS · May 12, 2009, 11:41 AM

City or county shoud be the same. In esscence they said it's your problem.

In esscence, you certificate of occupancy could be revolked without working plumbing.

The water you have to take care of ASAP. Get it pumped out. Mold starts to grow within 24 hours.

Stop using the drains and get it fixed. Get some estimates.

Want to save some bucks and there isn't other utilities too close rent some heavy equipment to excavate. You may be able to work with the plumber.

Work out what you could do to save labor rates.

Find out what your allowed to do by calling whoever issues permits which is probably the city in your case.

dababe · May 12, 2009, 11:43 AM

Thanks I will get on the phone It just one big headache