My drainpipe from the washing machine backed up and water was flowing out of it when the washer went into drain mode. I called Roto-Rooter and they sent the first plumber out. He said that there most likely was a crack in my pipe under the concrete because he tried to snake out the drain and keep hitting something so he couldn't go any furthur. He said another tech would come out and see if he could clear the line. The frist tech left the "sludge" all over the floor, even though I told him that I have cats and they get downstairs. His solution was for them to stay on the landing, and the next guy would clean it up when he left. The next day another tech came over and also tried to clear the drain which he said he couldn't. Again, he said most likely it was a crack in the pipes. They said they would send out a third guy to give me an estimate to replace the pipe. When the third guy came out, he didn't even try to clean the pipe, but stated that he know it was damaged because clay was coming out onto the floor. He gave me an estimate of $825.00 if they had to dig up the floor and replace part of the pipe. He also stated that if they dug up the floor and found that the pipe was damaged even further it would be $2500.00 to replace the pipe the whole length of the floor. He said he could re-route the kitchen and washer drains with Pvc piping above the ground to the main line. This would cost $1500.00. I said that that sounded like the best way to go.
All the techs stated that they saw food on the floor and the problem was the kithchen as well as the washing machine drain. They also cracked the cover on the pipe where the kitchen line came into the basement when they took it off the first time they came out. They also of course left it off, so water would flow out everytime I used the dishwaher.
I called Roto-Rooter's third tech, Aaron, back the Monday after the Saturday the last tech was out. I asked him about the floor drain and how would this solution help there. He said it really wouldn't but it drained properly anyway. I said not today, it is backing up water all over the place. He said it was because I was using the dishwasher and washing machine and it probably was being used too much. He would check it and clean it out when he came back to do the work at no extra charge.
I thought that that did not make since, so I called a local plumber out the next day. He came out and cleaned the drain for $121.00 dollars the very first time and there is no more problem.
I could have been taken for $1500.00 or more.
Always get a second opinion!!!
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