[cfoster629]

Help!
We have been in our home for 9 months (built in 1981). The tub in the master bath has always been a little slow to drain but nothing of a concern. We had a plumber out last week to look at a concern with our shower and in the process he asked about the slow draining tub. Since we are currently under our "American Home Shield Warranty" he contacted them for permission to snake the tub. When he attempted he was only able to get the line in about 5-8 inches and it came to an abrupt stop and came out "clean." He felt that we had a broken pipe in the foundation. After his attempt to "fix the problem" the tub drained MUCH slower than before (took over night to drain instead of about 30 minutes). The plumber then contacted AHS who sent out plumber #2 with a different company for a second opinion.

Plumber #2 arrived on Friday attempted to "snake" the pipe with the same result. His diagnosis was not a busted pipe but that the drum trap was somehow closed off. The only way to get to this trap according to his expertise is to jackhammer through my tile and into the wall by the tub (about $1400). He called AHS with his diagnosis. Now I have a tub that won't drain at all. It is completely full of standing water.

After talking with AHS myself today (since of course they had made no contact with me) they said they feel it is a slab leak and will cash us out at $500 (the most they will pay for plumbing issue according to our contract). I am waiting for a call from the "Options" department tomorrow to discuss this. I am obviously livid that the problem (which we never saw was a major issue to begin with) has been made dramatically worse by the two plumbers they sent out. After bailing over 40 gallons of water out of my tub tonight I now see a huge scratch on the bottom surface of my tub which wasn't there before the plumbers arrived either.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what the real problem might be? I am not confident in either plumber who came out and feel confident that AHS will do everything possible to get out of this the cheapest way possible. I know little to nothing about plumbing but am ready to "go down swinging" to get AHS to take responsibility for this if it is possible the plumbers they sent out caused damage. Please provide me with any thoughts you might have. Thanks!

[nmwirez]

Help!
Thanks!

A drum must be accessible at its location even in a slab floor. This may have been code inspected construction a long time ago. New residential construction as far back as 1970's drum traps were not required and basically outdated.
Having a drum trap located in a slab in 1980 is most unlikely IMO and experience but I can be wrong considering the many different local required variations throughout the US. Grease traps in commercial is another old requirement in restaurants and I do not believe any plumber would recommend one in residential. There is optical equipment available to inspect drain line blockages. I have watched sewer line robotic video inspection of 8" sewer pipes 1500 ft long. It's amazing technology.
The tub drain is only 2" at the largest so fiber optics may still be workable. Nm