IF you're in the sound of my voice, listen up people. Plumbing can be complex, have various additions added on at different periods of time and much of what is thought to exist may, upon further investigation, turn into a completely different project or require additional work than you might have expected. Keep that in mind and you go through an 'estimate process.' Even with the best tech tools, cameras, etc. It only tells you so much. This word will be used to cite my example and I want you to look it up on the link below. Please do that now as I wait. : Orangeburg pipe (I'm saving you work here).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Or…
Such was the case when a rental property, built in the early 1950's and remodeled was having a sewage back up from the clean out (outside) traps and piles of 'flush' were piling up outside the walls. In the past, every few years, having the plumber come out to router the lines cleared it for a couple of years at a time. Then the day came when that no longer worked. That day was last week.
Enter Jerry, a tech from All Star Plumbing and the owner, Lance. Jerry was alert, professional and listened well. I tend to be pretty hands on and sometimes will choose to look elsewhere for folks who are not intimidated by that tendency and who are willing and able to work to high standards. Something is in that process for not only the client, but also the vendor. A different plumbing company simply said that they would Hydro jet the line for $450 an hour but couldn't give an estimate, didn't ask many questions and did not offer to come by to look deeper. Goodbye to them now! ASP (All Star Plumbing) not only offered and wanted to come give an estimate, they assured me there would be NO charge for that! Hot, need to gather more information, dog!
Next, I agreed to have the lines scoped with a camera that would record every nook and cranny, showing the condition of the pipe. And here's what I learned from that process: HAD I simply just told that first company to use the HIGH PRESSURE 7K psi root cutting jet process, We'd have destroyed the line and then would have had to have the driveway cut, a trench dug and the line replaced ANYWAY! We avoided throwing that expense on top of what would need to come anyway. Thank you, Lord, for your wisdom and good folks to work with, step-by-step!
What I learned was that the line was completely clogged with tree/plant roots running several feet and in a few sections. And I mean that the mass of roots had not only filled the line but had also taken on the shape of the inner pipe. It was time to have the cement in the driveway cut in 2 areas (2 sewer lines coming from each side of the house and connecting to a Y shape before running to the street. These trenches went down deep enough to hide a human working in them. See my pics. It was discovered during that process that what (pay attention now people because that new word is coming quickly) looked like a cast iron sewer line from the camera probe was really a widely used product first developed in the 1860s!!! It was a cheaper, compressed fiber, pipe called Orangeburg. It was used wildly up until the 1970s, it's brittle and could fail anywhere for 10 to 60 years. So, people, if you're living in an older area, I hope this tempers expectation on what you might be looking at. It should not come as a shock if your pipe is made of the dreaded Orangeburg...
We were happy! Why? Because, A PROBLEM clearly defined is 50% solved! Our lines are now updated to the best that modern ABS lines have to offer! No more 1860's tech..
Early in the process I met with Lance, the owner. What a great guy. He was out numerous times supervising and consulting with the 3-man crew. He communicated well and was easy to work with adapting to any need that I had through the process. As stated, most people are not as hands on as I am, and I'm going to insist that YOU move at MY pace. Lace was agile here making the adjustments I needed to better work with him while protecting my family's interests. It's an important ability that I'd never shortcut. So, Thanks Lance!
Throughout the process (that went a couple weeks because of the weather), not ONCE was our tenants disrupted for more than an hour. Given the scope of the work, remarkable!
Joneed, the front office gal, worked with me and likewise adjusted if I was asking for more than folks were used to (I was). Very responsive and professional.
We are grateful to the Lord, to Lance, his company and his crew. It's so good to take care of business and get projects done fully, the right way, the first time! I pushed you and you exceeded expectations! What a great job you did for us and we thank you!
I will not hesitate to recommend you and use you in the future.
In gratitude,
-G