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golfnmom · Jan 29, 2009, 09:16 PM

About how much should this cost. Said he doesn't think drain will stay open. This bathroom on one side of house and outlet to sewer line on other side of house.

massplumber2008 · Jan 30, 2009, 03:04 PM

Hi Golfnmom...

I'm not 100% clear here...

Is this guy suggesting that you need to hydrojet pipes INSIDE THE HOME? If so, what size pipes? This would certainly be unconventional where I am from. Most every job inside a home only needs to be snaked, unless the pipe is say a CLAY PIPE that is just filled and then jetting may work, but I would think your money would be better spent relining the pipes then to hydrojet them (although to reline pipe you do need to hydrojet anyway)...

But I need more info... ok? Let me know more...

MARK

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golfnmom · Jan 30, 2009, 08:51 PM

Unstopped drain but said it wouldn't stay unstopped. There is rust in main sewer line and it was clogged between that bathroom and the kitchen. So they want to clean out the whole sewer line to remove the rust. It goes from one side of house to the main sewer line on the other side of the house. The quote is expensive and this is in Fl. So maybe they can't reline pipes here because most houses are built on a slab including this one so pipes are probably in the cement.

swetepi · Jan 31, 2009, 01:18 AM

Be careful. I am in Florida and there was a scam where guys came in the house and ran a camera down my pipes and tired to convince me I need to reline my plumbing. It turned out they were not authorized to come in and inspect like that and there was nothing wrong that need to be relinded.I am just saying, there is a possibility that they are trying to scam you. Get a second opinion.

massplumber2008 · Jan 31, 2009, 06:06 AM

Hi Golfnmom...

Hard to advise on this one. I'm thinking it would be a good idea to wait to see if the line backs up again... I have never heard of RUST being an issue... OK? Read on...

In terms of relining pipes under the concrete slab... getting to be common practice in your area. Check out what Tom (speedball1) had to say about relining pipes in your area:

"Let me explain a bit more about my drainage problem and how I repaired it. 54 year old house. The builder used sub standard cast iron in the drainage. The 4" house main was completely ate up on the bottom of the pipe , blocked with roots and welling up in my living room floor. I was sure that the main had broke in two and I would have to jack hammer up the floor and tunnel under the foundation to transition to PVC, pick up the back bath and move the main outside the house but I had to know what was going on under the slab so a friend suggested running a camera down there. There was no distinct break in the main, however,it was completely ate up on the bottom. That's when Rooter Man of Sarasota and Gulf Coast Florida suggested relining the main, (see image). It took a day to clear the roots and pressure jet clean the main. Next day they came back and relined the main with epoxy. I now have a sewer main that will out last me, (50 year guarantee) and the best part is that I didn't have to, tear up my house and the cost was under half of what I figured to take the main outside around the house. Another bonus was that it was done without tearing up or disturbing my house. When they were finished I kept a piece of the epoxy liner to check it out. It was white and had the same thickness of Schedule#40 PVC.
I was amazed at the equipment RooterMan had outside my place. The equipment he had cost upwards of $100,000.00. Hi tech stuff that took a technician to run it. There were 3 men and 2 trucks to do the job. And it was completed in two days. Lottsa difference from the old days when I went out on a sewer call with a Ridged K-60 Sewer Machine and a ladder to get to the roof vent. I just wanted to point out that there's another option besides replacing drainage that the years have ruined. If your pipes are a candidate for a reline job I strongly suggest you look into it before you decide to replace the drainage pipes. I did and saved a bundle in addition to keeping my home intact. Just thought I would share that with you . Regards, Tom"
Attached Images

As you can see, Tom is a fan... :)

Anyway, maybe you should have them camera the drain line. Let them show you that there is rust causing issues. If this proves they are right you will probably need to pay extra for the camera work, but if this proves no issue or broken pipes then it was worth the money to know for sure. Be sure that YOU can see damage in the video they will provide if you go this route and be sure to be present and standing right over their shoulder while they camera the drain line. That way you can ask questions or ask them to back the camera up if you see anything that is questionable to you.

Cameraing the drain line would also limit the ability of any company to be fraudulent as swetepi suggested. Plenty of scam artists out there for sure!

Finally, as swetepi suggested, never a bad idea to get a second opinion... let us know what you think about all this or if you have more information that you think is important for us to know.

MARK