I have a 1.5†sump pump discharge pipe that comes out of my basement above ground. See photo at: http://bakechad.smugmug.com/gallery/554349/1/15777436
It then goes underground into a 4†PVC pipe for about 8 feet. Then it makes a 90 degree turn and runs along the back of the house past our garage. At this point it makes another 90 degree turn and takes about a 60 foot run to the storm drain in the street. The total length of pipe is 130 feet. It is forced to take this route because my backyard has a large hill that slopes towards the house. At the top of that hill is a highway, so I take quite a bit of run off. The pipe cannot go out the front of the house due to local code issues.
My original problem was that the joint at the first 90 degree turn was seeping water. This went on for about a year and I slowly began to see the pipe as the dirt and grass were washed away. Then I noticed the pipe was cracked.
I immediately called a plumber. They came out and discovered the pipe was cracked from the house to the first 90 degree turn. They replaced this length of pipe for $350 (the hourly rate is $120 per hour plus parts). They then ran water down the pipe and it flowed for 10 minutes with no problem. Then it began to pool at the first 90 degree turn. They told me I needed a camera inspection of the pipe to determine whether it was being caused by a blockage or pitch problem.
The next day they came with the camera and charged me $275. They said there is no blockage and that there is not enough pitch in the pipe for the water to make it to the street and it would freeze in the winter time and re-crack the pipe. They said the pipe needs to be dug out and a new pipe buried deeper with more of a pitch. They have given me an estimate of $5000 to complete this. To say the least I suffered sticker shock!
At this point my plan is to ride out winter and see what happens. While I am no handyman, I figure to save $5000 I can get some people to help me in the spring and dig it out ourselves.
Can anyone give me their opinion of my situation and the validity of the plumber's assessment and pricing?
Thanks
It then goes underground into a 4†PVC pipe for about 8 feet. Then it makes a 90 degree turn and runs along the back of the house past our garage. At this point it makes another 90 degree turn and takes about a 60 foot run to the storm drain in the street. The total length of pipe is 130 feet. It is forced to take this route because my backyard has a large hill that slopes towards the house. At the top of that hill is a highway, so I take quite a bit of run off. The pipe cannot go out the front of the house due to local code issues.
My original problem was that the joint at the first 90 degree turn was seeping water. This went on for about a year and I slowly began to see the pipe as the dirt and grass were washed away. Then I noticed the pipe was cracked.
I immediately called a plumber. They came out and discovered the pipe was cracked from the house to the first 90 degree turn. They replaced this length of pipe for $350 (the hourly rate is $120 per hour plus parts). They then ran water down the pipe and it flowed for 10 minutes with no problem. Then it began to pool at the first 90 degree turn. They told me I needed a camera inspection of the pipe to determine whether it was being caused by a blockage or pitch problem.
The next day they came with the camera and charged me $275. They said there is no blockage and that there is not enough pitch in the pipe for the water to make it to the street and it would freeze in the winter time and re-crack the pipe. They said the pipe needs to be dug out and a new pipe buried deeper with more of a pitch. They have given me an estimate of $5000 to complete this. To say the least I suffered sticker shock!
At this point my plan is to ride out winter and see what happens. While I am no handyman, I figure to save $5000 I can get some people to help me in the spring and dig it out ourselves.
Can anyone give me their opinion of my situation and the validity of the plumber's assessment and pricing?
Thanks