Sewer Line Blues II
Originally appeared in Hills Publications, July 28, 2000 and ANG Newspapers, August 5, 2000
As both toilets overflowed and our shower backed up with sewage, my wife and I shared looks of amazement. We asked each other how this could be happening when our sewer lateral had been replaced only three years earlier. Now, after almost seven months of heartache, I have discovered even more about the dirty insides of sewer lines and one of the companies that repairs them.
A frantic call led to a quick visit from a company I trust (not the one from three years ago). Their camera verified our worst fears: once again, tree roots had invaded our sewer line. But, how? It took us six months and much turmoil to get that question answered.
A few days later, the quality control manager of the original company failed to show up for our appointment to view the videotape.
Lesson sharing: Do not deal with people who have the words “quality control” in their title. They control nothing and often do not understand the meaning of quality.
Several days afterward, having seen the videotape, a company representative agreed they are responsible to repair up to where our old cast iron begins. I asked how we could have this problem again in only three years; he said aggressive roots, earth movement or both. At that moment, I grimaced as I pictured our uphill neighbor’s 90′ redwood trees, with roots tingling, as they looked down at our vulnerable sewer pipe.
I decided to deal only with “Sam”, the executive director, who said he would use “trenchless” technology to replace a section of the line without destroying our front steps, as they did before.
Lesson sharing: Part of our sewer line under the house is embedded in concrete. Trenchless does not work in this situation because room is needed for the pipe to expand. Nevertheless, Sam put us off four months waiting for trenchless equipment that, in our case, could not be used.
At this point, I had had enough. I told Sam that if I did not have an immediate appointment and the job completed in two weeks, I would turn it over to my attorney and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Lesson sharing: As I subsequently heard from one of their workmen, many complaints had been filed against this company with the CSLB. They did not want another from me. It might be a good idea to check on complaints before signing a contract.
Work began the next day. I was told it would be a two-day job. Ten days later, our steps were still ripped up, but the cause of the problem had been unearthed. The pipe under our house is 3″; the new line beneath our driveway and the city sewer main is 4″. The line from under a house should preferably be 4″, but, in older homes, 3″ is common.
During the original job, they had tried to squeeze down a 4″ coupling (a connector between two pipes, also called a hub) to make it fit a 3″ line. In addition, the coupling was one that is supposed to be used only for above-ground connections.
There is an underground reducing coupling that connects 3″ lines to 4″. Had that been used, roots probably would not have penetrated our pipe.
Lesson sharing: During this process, I learned of another potential issue with couplings. A special wrench is used to tighten the coupling to the sewer pipe. The optimum pressure is 60 pounds per square inch. If it is less, roots may enter; if it is more, the increased pressure could damage the coupling and/or the pipe, thereby allowing roots to enter. This exemplifies how vital it is to choose a contractor with experience who cares.
After the correct coupling was installed, I insisted our line be camera-ed in both directions. I wanted to make sure all roots had been eliminated; if there were roots, I would have had them flush the line (apply water under high pressure).
My caution quickly paid dividends. The repair work they had done was fine, but there was an approximately 1″ offset (separation of the pipes) near the city main in the street. The workman showed me on the monitor how the offset was at a section he believed to be clay pipe.
My blood pressure rose as I called Sam and strongly suggested he take a look. I explained that, three years before, we had been assured all our old clay pipe had been replaced with cast iron. After talking with his workman, Sam told me this offset was not so bad, and tried to talk me out of having it corrected.
Lesson sharing: If your old clay system is being replaced, make sure it is clear in the contract that there will be none of the old pipe remaining. I now realize it was not done completely because of the extra expense of deep excavation.
After again invoking the names of my attorney and the CSLB, Sam showed up the next day. This began the final month of our saga.
The company reluctantly dug a hole 9′ deep and 4′ wide to uncover and replace this segment of pipe. They miscalculated and had to dig another 4′ into the street until they located the offending section. As expected, it was made of clay.
Lesson sharing: Because they had to dig so deep, this would have cost at least $8000. I am glad I had them do it now, rather than having to deal with this down the road.
In the process, the huge backhoe gouged craters in our three-year-old asphalt. Sam wanted to do cosmetic patches that would have cracked out in a short time. Only serious, additional threats got him to redo it correctly.
As I write this, an immense, 1″ sewer plate still sits in front of our house, 10 days and many phone calls after the job was completed. Perhaps, I will call again tomorrow.
Lesson sharing: Except for my negotiating, this would be an even more depressing tale. At the time of our initial contract, I insisted on a ten-year warranty because of the large dollars involved. I have since found out that these jobs normally have only a one or two-year warranty. I have also witnessed how many things can go wrong due to basic incompetence.
Final Thoughts
Hire a company that will make good on mistakes without subtracting 10 years from your life or adding $10,000 to your debts. Before you lock yourself into an expensive and potentially aggravating situation, remember that sewer line repair is a smelly business.
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Sewer Line Blues