[printerfixer]

Our kitchen sink and washer share a drain that connects to the main drain under the concrete slab. Perodically the washer backs up in the kitchen sink. We've had plumbers out every 6 months (we've owned the house about 18 months) and they auger the drain then it works ok for about 6 months. This time, the plumber told us his auger couldn't break through so we must have a broken pipe under the slab. (He charged us $187 to tell us this) His solution is to install a pump and pump the kitchen and washer drainage to hook up to the upstairs drain. His estimate is $2850. Does this sound correct?. Is there a way of verifying the pipe is actually broken? Thanks in advance for you input.

 

[joecaption]

Hire a plumber that has a camera that can be fed down through a clean out.

 

[printerfixer]

I asked our plumber the same thing. He said the drain wasn't big enough to feed a camera through.

 

[TheEplumber]

Call around and get some prices for a camera inspection. Some, not all have small cameras that will get to the break location. If they can see the break, they can then locate the camera head by electronic signal. Then you can decide if you want to go into the slab and repair or go the pump route. The age of the pipe might sway you towards a pump or perhaps a new underslab line replacement. Personally, I prefer gravity flow over a pump any day. Call your insurance as well. May be of no help but what can it hurt?

 

[joecaption]

How old is this house.
That would give us an idea on what type was used.
Mine was all done in steel pipe, all the supplys and the drains.
All of then had rusted out and had to be replaced.

 

[printerfixer]

The house was built in 1966 and appears to have iron pipes.

 

[Javiles]

i don't understand some of these companies how can they charge if they dont solve the customers problem, if we cant get water draining we don't charge, it can be camera-ed find the right company with proper equipment. look to your home owners insurance it may cover the damage to get to the broken pipe if there is one.