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Author:
JH87 (CT)
This is an update to a previous post. We were having issues with a drain the basement backing up and sewer water going into our sump pump. We had a professional come down and snake the drain, and he told us that it should resolve the sump pump issue too. We wanted to believe him, but it has been almost a week and there is still foul smelling water entering the sump pump pit from the ground, and the pit is filling and pumping more than usually when we do tasks that use a lot of water at once (mainly when the washing machine drains).
We've resolved ourselves to the fact that the main sewer line is likely damaged somewhere and will need to be repaired. We have someone scheduled to come down tomorrow with a camera to assess the situation.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
I hope the 1st licensed plumber offered you some kind of warranty, after doing their work blindly.
Best Wishes
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
They did, but there was most definitely a clog also. Unfortunately it was only part of the problem.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Thanks for the update. Its hard to imagine this issue in the 1st place, other than you said you had sewer water seeping into your sump pit and you thought your main was clogged. As a 4th Party listener, we read that the plumber you hired said there was a definite blockage/clog and it was removed and the line clear.
Everything you presented was hearsay at best, to us that read the postings. "The saga continues" means to me that it never ended.
I can only guess that you have a defect in your waste line somewhere between the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position of your line... closer to the 6 o'clock area and gravity is allowing waste waters to enter the sump pit. A sewer camera to reveal the facts and you will be in a much better position to make a decision.
It would be wise to take pictures and measure the distance from your foundation to the defect. Knowledge is a powerful tool.
Best Wishes
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
The drain back-up is no longer occurring which leads me to believe that there was indeed a clog. Also, the sump pump is only going off now when we do laundry and a lot of water is released at one (last week it was going off after just taking a shower).
I guess we'll see tomorrow when they come with the camera. These things always seem to come to a head right before the holidays.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Please let us all know. In the meantime, Merry Christmas.
Best Wishes
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
Thank you.
They came down with the camera today. They said that there's a section of pipe that has dipped and has standing water in it. Seems like that's the only spot where it could be. Looks like they'll have to excavate and make the repair. The owner of the company has to come down this afternoon to quote us. No idea how much it's going to be but we're thinking $10-15k. The pipe is pretty deep underground.
Guess our plan to move in 4 years just turned into a plan to move in 6 years.
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Author:
packy (MA)
Seems like that's the only spot where it could be. Looks like they'll have to excavate and make the repair.
and just how do they know that is the area that is leaking?
because it "seems like"???
i think i would leave it alone and have it snaked once a year.
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
We know it's leaking because sewer water is seeping into the ground and into our sump pump pit. There's no doubt when you open the lid to the pit that it's coming from the sewer pipes.
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
My husband posted this on another forum. It includes the link to the video footage they got today:
I have a dip in my sewer line right outside my house (according to the rooter company).
Here is the video they took of it: [youtu.be]
Would this cause sewage water to seep into my sump? (it is very close to the the sewer line.)
Thanks.
Please refrain from asking questions about price. ~Plbg Staff
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Author:
m & m (MD)
I'm on the same train as Packy with this.
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
Personally I just can't ignore the smell of sewer coming out of the sump pump pit in my basement.
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Author:
packy (MA)
my point is HOW do they know the belly is the location of the leak?
yes , there is a problem with the belly but the question i have is it related to the leak or are there 2 seperate problems?
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
In the video he says that the rest of the pipe is in good shape. It just seems like that's the only thing that makes sense. Plus the location of the dip is basically right where the sump pump is. I agree that I'm apprehensive about spending upwards of $10k to dig up the pipe and find that it doesn't fix the problem, but I'm also weary about ignoring it because it could get worse and we could have an even bigger mess on our hands. Also, we'd like to move in a few years and would have to disclose that we know there's a dip in the pipe. I'm just pulling my hair out.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
I know dips and valleys cause clogs and blockages, but until the sewer pipe is emptied and exposed from the inside, you are only guessing there is an open defect in the pipe to allow leaking (venting) to the sump pit. Kit in mind that your (seems like) is going to cost you a lot of money and you still may not resolve the leaking into the sump pit. So for your money you may or may not have a leak resolved after spending all that money. Those who "root" like to dig at YOUR expense. Make sure everything is in writing.
Best Wishes
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
What would you suggest as a next step? Calling a local plumber? Now that I have the video I fully intend to get 2nd, 3rd, etc. opinions especially since it isn't a dire situation at this point. The water isn't backing up anywhere now that they've snaked it. I spoke with another rooter company yesterday at some length (before we got the camera down there) and he told me that if this guy couldn't give us a real answer he would take a look free of charge. I want to see what this 1st guy says tomorrow when he comes by to quote us, but I definitely plan on calling around. We're not the type to throw money at the 1st person that comes by.
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Author:
JLNY (NY)
I do quite a bit of sewer cleaning and replacement. The first thing I would do after watching the entire video you posted is get another company which is not a franchise to come televise that sewer and give their thoughts on it.
# 2, I would hope the guy in your house has the common decency not to drop the f-bomb while recording something and then give it to the homeowner.
# 3, how do you know where in relation to the sump pump the belly is? Did they locate it and determine the depth of the pipe?
#4, if you receive a quote for $10-$15k I would wonder what you are getting for your money. He mentions fixing the pitch on the pipe, which is all well, but does he know the depth of the pipe at the foundation and the depth of the pipe at the invert to the municipal main? If you don't know those measurements how do you know you can get any more pitch on the lateral line? Maybe the lateral is relatively flat because the original installer had no choice.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best of luck.
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
This company wasn't a franchise, actually it's a family owned business. We're deliberately staying away from places like roto rooter, but I understand your point.
I would like to have the other guy that offered to scope it for free come down.
They went in through the cleanout in the basement and the dip was pretty much at the base of the cleanout when the pipe starts running horizontal towards the street and the sump pump pit is only a few feet from the cleanout (and in the direction heading towards the street). I'm not sure how long the dip is, but it likely runs almost directly beneath/alongside the sump pump pit (at least from my own estimate).
In your professional opinion, what else could be causing sewer water to seep into the sump pump if the dip isn't the culprit? According to the video the rest of the line seems to be in decent shape without any breaks.
I appreciate your feedback.
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Author:
JLNY (NY)
A dip or belly in the pipe alone will not allow waste water to enter your sump crock. It sounds like they televised your sewer from the front main clean out. The problem in the line very well may be under the slab some where between the rear main stack and the front main clean out. The only way that waste water can exit the lateral line is through a break, crack, or separation in the line itself. That being said, there is a chance that there is structural damage to the lateral line which can't be seen due to the standing water.
I agree 100% that you should have no standing water anywhere in the lateral, but I am not convinced the main culprit is at the belly. I think more diagnostic work needs to be done before signing any contracts for excavation work.
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Author:
packy (MA)
it may very well be that someone will have to dig down to the pipe and look for "wet" dirt.
i would hire a high school kid to throw a plastic tarp down to put the dirt on and dig down to the area of the belly. don't need to expose much pipe to find out for sure..
hey, you gotta start somewhere..
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
I'm a little more confident now.
The owner of the company came down this morning to look at everything. He said that the majority of the sewer line has been replaced except for a small section where the piping in the house connects to the outside line, which is still cast iron. The house is over 80 years old, and he said that it's extremely likely that the pipe has rusted through and that's where it's seeping through. He quoted us $3500 to excavate both outside the house and inside (if necessary). They would leave everything as they found it (would re-pour concrete in the basement and patch the driveway). They said that if for some reason that isn't the problem, then by doing this they would see what is. He said that the belly in the pipe isn't the reason why it would be leaking.
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Author:
packy (MA)
sounds like an honest assessment to me..
maybe you will be able to move when you wanted..
merry christmas...
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
Thanks!
Definitely breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
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Author:
mijclarke (IL)
Might I suggest you use ductile metal instead of cast iron when replacing the pipe going from inside to outside the house. It is much thicker and stronger than cast iron (costs more too, 5 ft pipe might cost 300 vs 50 but should never break)
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Author:
JH87 (CT)
After weeks and weeks of endless frustration, the excavation was done today. They did find the problem, and it was basically what they thought is was. The old cast iron connecting pipe wasn't rusted through, but the fittings on it were too big and had come loose (great job, whoever replaced the pipes last time... thankfully wasn't the company we hired). The cast iron pipe has been replaced and and connections that actually fit have been put onto it. They fixed the pitch in the pipe coming out of the house. They didn't even have to take a jackhammer to the concrete slab in the basement... they were able to do everything from outside. Everything was approved by the town and they're getting ready to fill in the hole. So happy this saga will finally be behind us. So tired of hearing the sump pump going off every time we use the water. Thankful for the clog in the pipe that brought all of this to our attention.
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