[Mstrlucky74]

My parents are in Florida and they don't know much when it comes to handyman stuff so I'm trying impart info on them so they don't get ripped off.

Their kitchen sink started backing up so they called a plumber. Plumber went to the trap and started to snake. When he got about 30' the snake got stuck. He couldn't it get it out and had to leave it there and is coming back I think with camera. My parents think he busted through the pipe with the snake. Seems unlikely that a snake could do that. Anyway are there any question hey should ask or signs they should look for just in case the plumbers says one thing when actually something else happened or is the problem. Thanks a lot.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... Where are the pipes,..?? buried in a slab,..??

 

[Colbyt]

A powered snake can do that but usually only with rotten pipe.

A 30 foot run sounds really long for a kitchen drain.

Any pipe damage may be visible from the basement or crawl space.

 

[Mstrlucky74]

Yes pipes are buried.

 

[Mstrlucky74]

A powered snake can do that but usually only with rotten pipe. A 30 foot run sounds really long for a kitchen drain. Any pipe damage may be visible from the basement or crawl space.

No basement.

 

[joecaption]

Going to make some guesses.
Older home, slab, old steel pipes for drains?

 

[Mstrlucky74]

Going to make some guesses. Older home, slab, old steel pipes for drains?

Yes, yes and idk?

 

[joecaption]

Is there steel lines god help them.
One of the homes I own had all steel drains and supply's ran through the slab.
All of them had failed so I had to replumb the whole house with PEX and PVC.

 

[Mstrlucky74]

Is there steel lines god help them.
One of the homes I own had all steel drains and supply's ran through the slab.
All of them had failed so I had to replumb the whole house with PEX and PVC.

Oh boy..and they are not exactly sitting on extra cash like that. How can they confirm they have steel pipes? Well if his snake went through the pipe that's his fault. They do have home shield insurance maybe they'll pay.

 

[joecaption]

Hardly think it's his fault if the pipes are that bad.
One tip off there steel pipes is to look where the drains connect at the wall.
May be able to see if there's a steel nipple with the drain adaptor is.

 

[Gymschu]

I don't know if they used CLAY pipe in Florida, but, it's somewhat common for homes built in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Clay pipe is put together in 4 foot sections and is rather brittle so a snake or a roto-rooter type drain auger CAN break the drain pipes. A camera is going to be the best thing to do at this point. Finding out what material your parents are dealing with and what type of blockage is there, well, the camera will show all of that.

 

[Colbyt]

Well if his snake went through the pipe that's his fault. They do have home shield insurance maybe they'll pay.

The fine print on the work order they signed probably contains an escape clause for the rooter guy. All the ones I ever saw did.

I would encourage them not to panic at this point. Snakes get hung and worked free quite a bit.

I do wish them well.

 

[Oso954]

Well if his snake went through the pipe that's his fault.

I just love that jump to conclusion. It cannot possibly be that the pipes are so old and decrepit that you could shove a wood pencil thru them.

 

[throrope]

My mother in law called for service when her heat pump made a god awful sound. The tech removed the cover and found several mice that came to an untimely end. They found a safe place until the fan started.

She asked me if the $120 charge was appropriate for twenty minutes work. When you're on a fixed income, any charge is too much. Unfortunately, that service call started at $120 no mater how little time the tech spent.

If you're parents have the same perspective, the only way to help is to take the job off their hands.

 

[Mstrlucky74]

Well if his snake went through the pipe that's his fault.

I just love that jump to conclusion. It cannot possibly be that the pipes are so old and decrepit that you could shove a wood pencil thru them.

I was just saying....but I do agree with you.

 

[TheEplumber]

I was just saying....but I do agree with you.

When I worked at a drain cleaning shop- our invoices said we are not liable if the cable damages or gets stuck- I think this is typical and does happen...

Do you know if the house has a grey water cess pool for the kitchen sink line?
I ask because I have seen cables unknowingly ran into septic tanks and become a jumbled mess. Only way to retrieve them was by excavating the tank to gain access.
Some areas still have the kitchen on separate lines to small dedicated tank-perhaps the cable is there? Just a thought

 

[Mstrlucky74]

I was just saying....but I do agree with you.

When I worked at a drain cleaning shop- our invoices said we are not liable if the cable damages or gets stuck- I think this is typical and does happen...

Do you know if the house has a grey water cess pool for the kitchen sink line?
I ask because I have seen cables unknowingly ran into septic tanks and become a jumbled mess. Only way to retrieve them was by excavating the tank to gain access.
Some areas still have the kitchen on separate lines to small dedicated tank-perhaps the cable is there? Just a thought

I don't know but I'll try to find out. Plumber coming back tomorrow.thx

 

[Colbyt]

She asked me if the $120 charge was appropriate for twenty minutes work. When you're on a fixed income, any charge is too much. Unfortunately, that service call started at $120 no mater how little time the tech spent.

I realize I am mostly preaching to the choir here. While my minimum charge was a lot lower that 120

My answer always was, there is the 30 minutes it took to get here, the inventory cost of materials on the truck, the license fees, insurance, extra taxes and general overhead that must be a part of each and every job.