Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    SBSD's Avatar
    SBSD Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Aug 10, 2012, 10:07 AM
    Plumbing back up. Should I replace pipes under the house?
    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.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #2

    Aug 10, 2012, 10:16 AM
    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
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Aug 10, 2012, 10:24 AM
    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
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #4

    Aug 10, 2012, 01:33 PM
    Plumbing advice:

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

    Solves a lot of blocked sewer problems.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Outside plumbing pipes [ 4 Answers ]

Good day, If my original indoor plumbing pipes become old and troublesome... can I install all new plumbing pipes on the outside walls of my house? Contra Costa County CA Jim Thank you very much.

Plumbing over pipes [ 3 Answers ]

Our plumber came in and broke up our basement to put pipes in for a small bathroom. We now need to cement over it so he can come back and put the copper piping in. Is there a place to go or can you help us proceed in the right direction for pouring the cement? Thanks

Septic tank is at the back of house,two commodes and dishwasher all run in same pipes [ 3 Answers ]

Bedroom commode at back of house is stopped up also commode at front of house. Our kitchen in the middle dishwasher is still draining.. what could be the problem?

Air in plumbing pipes [ 2 Answers ]

How can I find out why there is air spitting and sputtering and blasting out of all my fixtures - including the toilet?? I had a hot water heater installed recently, and my water softener isn't working except manually... I bled the air from the pipes when the water heater was installed months ago...


View more questions Search