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Replacing a sewer line in NYC Dee 01-14-2007
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Posted by Dee on January 14, 2007, 9:57 am


Hi all,

I am new to this group. I have had sewer backups in my house basement
for as long as I can remember. Snaking the main sewer line once or
twice a year helped to contain the problem for about 10-15 years. I
was charged about $250 for each job. The last time a few days ago the
plumber worked for 3 hours and was not able to clear the line
successfully. He was able to go out pretty far, but not all the way to
the city sewer in the street. Last year we had the video inspection
done for $500 and I was given the tape to keep. It showed that the
pipe was severely damaged and filled with large tree roots. It also
showed that the pipe was in danger of collapse (separation?). We have
a large city tree in front of the house that has massive roots that are
lifting up the sidewalk. The houses here were built in the late
1940's, so I assume that the main sewer line is quite old. We are fed
up with the sewage backups that have contaminated our basement time
after time. We have hired a plumber to replace the main sewer line at
a cost of $8,800 (OUCH!). They will dig up a 4-foot wide trench below
our foundation, and install a new pipe. Does anyone know if this is a
fair estimate for two days of labor here in Queens, New York? There
will be four men working. They are also going to remove part of our
front lawn and 4 small bushes that they have promised us may not grow
back. In addition, the sidewalk in front will be broken open as well
as part of the street. I would certainly appreciate any advice that
anyone has for me. I am agonizing over this decision and have a
knotted stomach from all of the trouble and expense. I believe that
this is the only way to solve this problem for good. Please advise me!
Dee in New York City


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Posted by Speedy Jim on January 14, 2007, 10:16 am


Dee wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am new to this group. I have had sewer backups in my house basement
> for as long as I can remember. Snaking the main sewer line once or
> twice a year helped to contain the problem for about 10-15 years. I
> was charged about $250 for each job. The last time a few days ago the
> plumber worked for 3 hours and was not able to clear the line
> successfully. He was able to go out pretty far, but not all the way to
> the city sewer in the street. Last year we had the video inspection
> done for $500 and I was given the tape to keep. It showed that the
> pipe was severely damaged and filled with large tree roots. It also
> showed that the pipe was in danger of collapse (separation?). We have
> a large city tree in front of the house that has massive roots that are
> lifting up the sidewalk. The houses here were built in the late
> 1940's, so I assume that the main sewer line is quite old. We are fed
> up with the sewage backups that have contaminated our basement time
> after time. We have hired a plumber to replace the main sewer line at
> a cost of $8,800 (OUCH!). They will dig up a 4-foot wide trench below
> our foundation, and install a new pipe. Does anyone know if this is a
> fair estimate for two days of labor here in Queens, New York? There
> will be four men working. They are also going to remove part of our
> front lawn and 4 small bushes that they have promised us may not grow
> back. In addition, the sidewalk in front will be broken open as well
> as part of the street. I would certainly appreciate any advice that
> anyone has for me. I am agonizing over this decision and have a
> knotted stomach from all of the trouble and expense. I believe that
> this is the only way to solve this problem for good. Please advise me!
> Dee in New York City
>


Offhand, I would say the charge sounds reasonable,
given the location, etc. I assume that this a written
and fixed cost and that the contract states in writing that
the contractor is licensed and he will get the permit
and guarantee that the work will pass inspection.

There is an excellent chance that the water line is
currently running in the same trench, or nearby,
the old sewer. Does the contract say anything about
possible damage to the water line and, if there is,
how much you will have to pay to replace it?

OK. Those are the main points I would make about the
legalese (not a lawyer).

Next, I would ask you: Under what conditions did these
backups occur? During rainstorms? Or during dry spells
but only when members of the house flushed toilets or
ran the washing machine?

If it only happens when flushing/washing, then the
sewer replacement should alleviate it.

HOWEVER, if rainwater runoff is part of the problem,
then you are wasting your money. Getting the roots
out will not prevent backups from the street. In this
case, the plumber would need to install a "backwater"
valve along with the new sewer line (at considerable extra cost).

Get everything in writing. Dot all i's and cross all t's.

Jim

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on January 14, 2007, 10:48 am


I may have a CHEAP EASY solution for the OP!

First have another plumber snake the line!

Plumbers see $$$$ in your eyeballs:(

Is the line open at all? If it is go buy a couple 25 pound bags of
rocksalt. its cheap or you can use softener salt for just a little
more.

now when no one will be home for day dump rock salt in basement washtub
and mix with hot water and a shovel to help dissolve the salt. dont
diossolve it all just a good bit

now go to work, while the salt works:)

ever notice how salt kills grass? salt will kill the tree roots while
leaving the tree live.

now do this 4 times a year, pay special attention to early spring
BEFORE tree leafs out, thats the time of max root growth.

do be aware if you replace line and its in drip line of tree theres a
good chance it will kill the tree. so budget money for tree removal
too.

My line is bad too and I have the videotape to prove it. since I
started the rocksalt feeding I have had no troubles and no backups.

why not give this a try it costs under 10 bucks isnt hazardous and
please report back when it fixes it


Posted by DK on January 14, 2007, 1:26 pm


wrote:

>I may have a CHEAP EASY solution for the OP!
>
>First have another plumber snake the line!
>
>Plumbers see $$$$ in your eyeballs:(
>
>Is the line open at all? If it is go buy a couple 25 pound bags of
>rocksalt. its cheap or you can use softener salt for just a little
>more.
>
>now when no one will be home for day dump rock salt in basement washtub
>and mix with hot water and a shovel to help dissolve the salt. dont
>diossolve it all just a good bit
>
>now go to work, while the salt works:)
>
>ever notice how salt kills grass? salt will kill the tree roots while
>leaving the tree live.
>
>now do this 4 times a year, pay special attention to early spring
>BEFORE tree leafs out, thats the time of max root growth.
>
>do be aware if you replace line and its in drip line of tree theres a
>good chance it will kill the tree. so budget money for tree removal
>too.
>
>My line is bad too and I have the videotape to prove it. since I
>started the rocksalt feeding I have had no troubles and no backups.
>
>why not give this a try it costs under 10 bucks isnt hazardous and
>please report back when it fixes it

This will take too long and may not work.
What will work is to have a heavy duty roto rooter job that will
cut thru the roots. Your last plumber just didn't use the proper tool
for the job. He was evidently using too light equipment.

Find another plumber who can handle the bigger rooter jobs.






Posted by hallerb@aol.com on January 14, 2007, 1:35 pm


First have another plumber snake the line!
> >
> >Plumbers see $$$$ in your eyeballs:(

> This will take too long and may not work.
> What will work is to have a heavy duty roto rooter job that will
> cut thru the roots. Your last plumber just didn't use the proper tool
> for the job. He was evidently using too light equipment.
>
> Find another plumber who can handle the bigger rooter jobs.

first note my comment have line snaked again, some plumbers grunt groan
and swear quietly to give you the idea the job is hopeless, so they get
the money:(

honestly having lived for over 10 years with a bad terracota line salt
isnt instant, but it does kill the roots in the line fast.

ideally if its draining at all the salt helps within days, the
poisioned roots rot:)

At this point I could of replaced the line but had better uses for the
bucks and paid off our mortage.. with all the other stuff that happens
to a home my sewer is a minor irritant

I hope the OP at least tries salt and lets us know how it works


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